Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw
She assumes charge over as Executive Director of the International Coconut Community, Jakarta, Indonesia since 2020. Prior to this appointment she was working as head of Collaboration and Dissemination Division of the Indonesian Division for Estate Crops Research and Development, Indonesia. She is an Entomologist by profession and with her 27 years of experience in the field of agriculture development, she is frequently providing technical assistance and consultancy for coconut development to farmers, coconut industries, students, lecturers and other governmental organizations. She is the author of many informative articles on coconut which were published in renowned international journals.

Speeches |  August, 2025

Forging a Path Forward: Strengthening ITAG COGENT's Mandate for a Thriving Coconut Sector

The coconut sector is entering a bold new chapter. Through a dynamic partnership, the International Coconut Community (ICC) and the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) are charting a clear and ambitious course for the industry’s future. As the umbrella organization, ICC serves as a facilitator of research and innovation within the global ITAG networks. By connecting leading scientists, institutions, industries, and practitioners, the partnership ensures that cutting-edge solutions are not just discovered but also delivered to those who need them most.

At the heart of this transformation are COGENT’s four International Thematic Action Groups (ITAGs). These expert-driven teams are the scientific engine of change, tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from aging plantations, and pest and disease outbreaks, to the mounting threats of climate change. Two priorities stand out as especially urgent: optimizing coconut tissue culture technology to rapidly supply farmers with elite seedlings, and strengthening pest and disease control to protect plantations and secure productivity for local and global markets.

ITAG 2 on Genomics and Breeding is unlocking the genetic potential of coconut, developing high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties with superior quality traits. Complementing this, ITAG 4 on In-vitro Culture and Cryopreservation is ensuring these breakthroughs reach farmers quickly by pioneering technologies to mass-produce improved seedlings at scale. This technology, though vital for mass-producing high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties, remains complex due to the plant’s recalcitrant nature, contamination risks, and the lack of standardized protocols. To overcome these hurdles, ICC is investing in training and capacity building to refine skills, improve success rates, and cut costs. These efforts ensure that scientific progress reaches farmers’ fields, boosting productivity and strengthening global coconut supply. A recent training program on coconut tissue culture has further strengthened this effort, enabling trainees to sharpen their skills and improve their outputs, accelerating the adoption of this critical technology in member countries. 

ITAG 3 on Phytopathology and Entomology is safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods with integrated pest and disease management strategies, while also facilitating safe international germplasm exchange to ensure that only disease- and pest-free material is shared for the development of improved varieties. The commitment of countries is crucial to make this exchange effective, secure, and widely beneficial. Meanwhile, ITAG 1 on Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation is preserving the sector’s most valuable asset, its genetic diversity, by strengthening global genebanks and securing raw material for future innovations. 

Together, these efforts are not only advancing science but delivering tangible benefits to farmers on the ground: higher productivity, better incomes, and stronger resilience against shocks. By bringing COGENT under ICC’s institutional umbrella, research is being transformed into global policy and practice faster and more effectively. This streamlined collaboration ensures the coconut sector can respond proactively to global threats, while building a climate-smart, eco-friendly, and future-ready industry.

Recent milestones, including the July 2025 virtual ITAG Coordination Meeting and the upcoming September 2025 Workshop on Strengthening Coconut Genebanks, demonstrate the partnership’s commitment to action. These activities show how experts worldwide are aligning strategies, building capacity, and accelerating the flow of technology from the lab to the field.

But this future cannot be built by ICC and COGENT alone. It depends on the firm commitment of every member country to support safe germplasm exchange, champion cutting-edge research, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. Now is the time for countries to step up, join forces, and lead the coconut sector into its most resilient and prosperous era.

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