Alexis H. Villacis

Alexis Villacis is an agricultural economist whose research is focused on international agribusiness, food supply chains, farmer's behavior, and international agricultural development. He has worked extensively in the Latin American region, including Honduras and Nicaragua. Most recently he has worked extensively with cacao farmers in Ecuador.

In this talk, Villacis will discuss the implications of climate change on the production of cacao beans—-the main ingredient for the production of chocolate. How are changing temperatures and precipitation around the world impacting your Valentine’s Day? What are the implications for smallholder cacao farmers around the world? These and other topics around chocolate food systems will be discussed.

Moderated by Dave White, director of ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation.