ExpoCacau 2026 introduces AI tool for cocoa disease diagnosis

The ExpoCacau 2026 event in Ilhéus, Bahia, highlighted technological advancements and the role of family farming in the cocoa production chain. A key development is the launch of ‘App do Cacau’, an artificial intelligence-based tool designed to assist rural producers with preliminary diagnoses of crop diseases, pests, and nutritional deficiencies.

Developed by researchers from Brazil, Peru, and the Netherlands in collaboration with the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (Uesc), the free application allows farmers to send text, audio, images, and videos via the platform or WhatsApp. The AI can identify symptoms of major threats such as ‘vassoura-de-bruxa’ and moniliasis. While intended to provide immediate guidance and reduce response times, the tool is not a replacement for professional agronomists.

Additionally, family farming initiatives, including the ‘Parceiros da Mata’ and ‘Cacau+’ projects, participated in the event to discuss sustainable development, technical assistance, and innovation. These programs aim to integrate small-scale farmers into discussions regarding resilient production systems and the processing of cocoa into chocolate products.