Up to 30% of peanuts never make it from pod to plate due to pests and diseases, according to Mars. And just 1 in 100 peanuts are good enough to become Peanut M&M\u2019S, the company said.<\/p>\n
The losses cost farmers \u201chundreds of millions of dollars\u201d and \u201care jeopardising a key source of protein for millions of families worldwide\u201d, the manufacturer of confectionery warned as it announced an additional $5m investment to help develop drought and diseases-resistant varieties of peanuts.<\/p>\n
About three-quarters of peanut production occurs worldwide in arid and semi-arid regions, making drought an important concern in peanut production. Drought not only reduces yield but also degrades product quality.<\/p>\n
In the US for example about two-thirds of peanuts are grown in non-irrigated lands, where drought accounts for an estimated $50m loss each year. Climate change exacerbates this situation by increasing erratic rainfall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the past decade Mars has ploughed $10m into research on the legume.\u00a0\u201cWe know that the perfect peanut won\u2019t be discovered by accident. It will take long-term investment, scientific ingenuity,\u201d said\u00a0Mars Snacking chief R&D, procurement and sustainability officer Amanda Davies.<\/p>\n
The latest investment, over five years, will fund \u201cadvanced techniques\u201d using genomic science to \u201cgrow hardier peanut varieties that can stand up to rising pressure from pests, disease, and unpredictable weather\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n