29 April 2026 — In a move to translate strategic vision into technical action, the International Coconut Community (ICC) recently convened a specialized coordination meeting with BRMP Palma to finalize preparations for an upcoming international workshop on coconut tissue culture. Under the leadership of Dr. Asthutiirundu, the dialogue focused on the logistical and scientific framework required to host this high-level training in Indonesia, marking a key component of a broader collaborative effort involving Indonesia’s State Secretariat and the NAM-CSSTC.
The workshop, titled “Accelerating Coconut Rejuvenation through Tissue Culture: Synergizing International Collaboration and Targeted Research to Optimize Elite Clone Production for Global Market Demand,” is designed as a practical platform to harmonize scientific protocols with the urgent need for large-scale replanting of aging coconut groves worldwide. The Director General of the ICC confirmed that BRMP Palma is uniquely qualified to host the event, citing its specialized coconut tissue culture laboratory and its strategic location in North Sulawesi, which provides participants with direct access to one of the world's most vital coconut-producing landscapes.
Beyond the immediate training objectives, this workshop is envisioned as a vital networking hub for coconut tissue culture experts from around the world. By fostering direct engagement and a unified research community, the initiative aims to catalyze the exchange of technical insights and speed up the optimization of cutting-edge technologies.
Scientific preparations are already well-advanced, integrating cutting-edge methods such as the COAXIM (Coconut Axillary Meristems) protocol developed by Dr. Bart Panis and his team in Belgium. This technical foundation is further strengthened by the established collaboration with experts like Dr. Rajesh M.K. from CPCRI India, alongside anticipated contributions from resource persons in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. This diversity of expertise ensures that the training will offer a comprehensive curriculum capable of addressing the various national contexts of the attending delegates.
The workshop expects to welcome over 20 participants from Jamaica, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Throughout the planning process, the ICC has reaffirmed its full support to Indonesia’s State Secretariat in facilitating this gathering, which aims to produce a consolidated body of best practices and a practical laboratory-to-field implementation guide. Representing BRMP Palma, Dr. Asthutiirundu expressed full readiness to host the event, reflecting the institution's enthusiasm to serve as a premier hub for global knowledge exchange. By bridging the gap between laboratory research and field application, this workshop stands as a significant milestone in enhancing smallholder livelihoods and ensuring the long-term resilience of the global coconut bioeconomy.