Chocolate production is declining due to climate change and disease, threatening global supply. Ecuador’s cacao variety CCN-51, created by Omero Castro Zurita in 1965, offers a disease-resistant, high-yield solution. This MFA documentary project highlights his overlooked legacy and investigates whether CCN-51 can sustainably address the global cocoa shortage.

The research promotes interseeding—planting cover crops alongside cash crops—to help farmers in short-season climates protect soil, retain nutrients, and boost resilience. By identifying optimal planting times, crop mixes, and methods, the work dispels myths about competition and shows that interseeding can improve yields and soil health without compromising crop quality.