This bill establishes a research and extension grant program for a cacao tree health initiative.
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide competitive grants for
developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat plant pests that affect cacao trees;
establishing an integrated pest management programs for cacao trees in areas affected by or at risk of being affected by such pests;
surveying and collecting data on cacao tree production, health, and markets;
investigating cacao tree biology, ecology, genomics, and production systems;
conducting research on factors that may contribute to, or be associated with, resilient cacao production systems; and
conducting research on factors that may contribute to, or be associated with, serious threats to cacao trees, including the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on beneficial insects and cacao tree growth.
