By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media
Candy giant Mars, Inc., a leader in the peanut industry, has launched the Mars Protect the Peanut Plan, a $5 million, five-year initiative to secure the global peanut supply through agri-science and sustainable farming. With an early focus on Latin America, and building on a decade-long, $10 million investment in peanut research, Mars is tackling the mounting threats to this critical legume crop, such as pests, diseases and extreme weather, that cost farmers hundreds of millions annually and jeopardize a vital protein source for the global population.
Peanuts face steep losses, with up to 30 percent of the crop lost “from pod to plate” due to pests, diseases and extreme weather. For Mars, where only 1 in 100 peanuts meets the standards for Peanut M&M’s, the Protect the Peanut Plan is a direct response, aiming to bolster crop resilience and stabilize supply chains for its iconic brands. As a cornerstone of Mars’ Sustainable in a Generation Plan, the initiative will bankroll advanced genomic science to develop hardier peanut varieties capable of withstanding these pressures.
Mars is already a key player in cracking the peanut’s genetic code. As co-founder of the Peanut Genome Initiative, the company has mapped 2.5 billion DNA base pairs, rivaling the complexity of the human genome. In a move of transparency, Mars opened up those findings to the world, disrupting peanut breeding from guesswork to precision genetics. By the looks of it, this investment appears to be paying off. Sempre Verde, translated as Forever Green, a tough-as-nails variety grown in Brazil without fungicides, through ties with the University of Georgia’s Wild Peanut Lab, is bolstering yields by as much as 30 percent.
In Brazil, Mars is collaborating with the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) to grow drought- and disease-resistant peanuts using wild peanut species. Additional partnerships similarly focus on developing varieties resistant to drought and fungal disease, ensuring a stable supply for Mars’ billion-dollar brands like Peanut M&M’s and Snickers, which command 300 million pounds of peanuts purchased annually to meet robust demand.
Mars Snacking Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer Amanda Davies stated, “We have long believed that Mars can play a unique role as an engine of innovation, which is why we’re thinking in generations and betting big on science to protect the peanut. We know that the perfect peanut won’t be discovered by accident. It will take long-term investment, scientific ingenuity, and the dedication of our incredible partners to keep turning potential into progress — from the greenhouse to the farmer’s field. After all, innovation without implementation is just imagination.”
Dr. Soraya Bertioli, Senior Research Scientist, Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, University of Georgia, commented, “The cultivated peanut was a once-in-a-millennium accident of nature, but we can’t afford to wait for chance to strike twice. Creating more resilient peanuts requires transformative science, discipline and partnership. Simply put: Our breakthroughs would not be possible without the long-term support of Mars.”
Looking ahead, the Protect the Peanut Plan positions Mars to drive innovation in sustainable agriculture, balancing food security, farmer livelihoods and supply chain stability. By leveraging genomic advancements and global partnerships, Mars aims to shape a resilient future for the peanut industry, ensuring the crop’s viability and its candy for generations to come.
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