Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director of the International Coconut Community (ICC), visited the International University, part of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC), to observe the cutting-edge research being conducted in coconut tissue culture. This visit, part of her ongoing efforts to strengthen collaborations within the coconut industry, was particularly focused on the developments at the university’s Applied Biotechnology for Crop Development (ABCD) Research Unit.
Dr. Jelfina was warmly welcomed by TS. Lê Thị Vân Anh, a Researcher at the Center for Infectious Disease Research, and Tran Binh-Minh, BSc., a Researcher specializing in Plant Tissue Culture and Germplasm Conservation. Mr. Minh, who was invited by the ICC to present at the Tissue Culture Training Program in Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, India, year 2022, provided Dr. Jelfina with an in-depth presentation on the progress of coconut tissue culture at the university.
The ABCD Research Unit, under the leadership of Associate Professor Nguyễn Phương Thảo, who is also the Director of the Research Center for Infectious Diseases (RCID), has made significant strides in coconut tissue culture, particularly in the development and enhancement of Coconut Axillary Meristems (COAXIM) technology. This technology was originally developed and patented by Dr. Bartolomeus Panis and his team in Belgium for supporting replanting program of senile palms and production improvement. Dr. Panis has shared this technology to all participants of the ICC-COGENT tissue culture workshop, funded by ACIAR and DFAT. This achievement is a critical advancement for the mass production of high-quality coconut seedlings, which is essential for enhancing the genetic diversity and resilience of coconut crops. The unit's research also focuses on cryopreservation and germplasm conservation, ensuring that valuable coconut varieties are preserved for future generations.
Dr. Jelfina expressed her satisfaction with the progress and positive results achieved by the team at the ABCD Research Unit. She highlighted the importance of this research for the future of the coconut industry in Vietnam and other ICC member countries. Mr. Minh’s involvement, as a young and talented researcher, signals a bright future for the industry, with innovative approaches to improving crop resilience and productivity through tissue culture techniques.
The visit underscored the pivotal role that research and development play in the sustainability and growth of the coconut industry. With the continued efforts of researchers like Mr. Minh and the support of institutions like the ICC, the future of coconut cultivation in Vietnam and beyond looks promising.
