For its part as an industry leader, Mars has been at the forefront of cocoa science related to plant breeding and pest and disease control programs.

• Breeding programs around the world are seeking to develop cocoa varieties that are more resistant to various pest and disease problems.
• Newly developed pest and disease resistance and bio-control management strategies make use of natural controls, responsible chemical control and good agronomic practices.
• Farmers are being trained to improve soil nutrient supplies, trim tree canopies to manage light and nutrients, rehabilitate and rejuvenate older trees, reduce post-harvest losses through processing and storage improvements, and diversify their farms to include other crops such as coconut, rubber, oil palm, coffee and fruit.
• Farmers are also improving communication and cooperation as a way to deliver farming information, to improve quality, to better market cocoa, to provide safer farm environments, and to receive a greater percentage of the price of cocoa. By reducing production costs, raising productivity, and removing market and policy inefficiencies, farmers are able to substantially increase their income.

Mars has also worked with other industry leaders to develop programs that seek to raise the overall standard of living of rural cocoa farming families and communities.