The overall goal, to which CacaoNet contributes, is to enhance the sustainability of the global cocoa economy. For that purpose, it aims at optimizing the conservation and use of cacao genetic resources.

Cacaonet focuses its work within the following priority areas:

• Germplasm collection

• Conservation of public domain germplasm

• Germplasm exchange, incl. plant quarantine

• Characterization (molecular and morphological)

• Evaluation and germplasm enhancement

• Information and database management

Specific objectives are to:

• ensure cost-effective long-term conservation and management of cacao GR in the global public domain (issues of funding and awareness of governments of the importance of cacao GR conservation, exchange and benefit sharing)

• enhance the value of cacao GR for breeding, through effective characterisation, evaluation and pre-breeding efforts

• provide a platform for the coordination and implementation of priority research, breeding and use related to cacao GR (e.g. virus indexing, improved methods for germplasm exchange, genetic identity studies etc.)

• prioritize and implement collecting missions to ensure conservation and access to poorly-known gene pools, especially where threatened

• develop priorities for, and coordinate regional approaches to, cacao GR conservation, exchange and utilization

• ensure effective management and exchange of information on cacao GR

• facilitate access by breeding programmes and other users to useful germplasm

• promote access to and the adoption of superior cultivars by farmers

• facilitate the strengthening of capacity in germplasm management and improvement in national programmes