International Workshop on Strengthening Coconut Genebanks for a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Future Organized

2–5 September 2025, Kasaragod, Kerala

As part of the World Coconut Day 2025 celebrations, ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, in collaboration with the International Coconut Community (ICC), Jakarta, organized an International Workshop on Strengthening Coconut Genebanks for a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Future from 2–5 September 2025.

The workshop brought together 25 international delegates from 14 countries, including Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Director General, ICC, and H.E. Ambassador Diar Nurbintoro, Director, NAM-CSSTC, Jakarta, Indonesia, alongside representatives from the Crop Trust, FAO, and leading global researchers. National participation included 42 delegates from ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), entrepreneurs, and officials from the Coconut Development Board and State Departments of Horticulture. Several members of the ICC-COGENT International Thematic Action Groups (ITAGs) also joined the technical sessions online.

The inaugural function, held on 2 September 2025, coinciding with World Coconut Day, was graced by Dr. S. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, and inaugurated by Shri Rajmohan Unnithan, Member of Parliament, Kasaragod.

The workshop was coordinated by Dr. K. B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR–CPCRI, along with other senior officials of the institute.

Across four days, the program featured country reports, technical sessions, panel discussions, young researchers’ flash talks, and field visits. Key themes included:

•Harnessing genetic diversity for breeding programs.
•Best practices in long-term conservation and plant health management.
•Strategic alliances and policy harmonization for global frameworks.
•Leveraging AI, genomics, and digital systems for smart genebanks.
•Field visits to the International Coconut Genebank – South Asia & Middle East (ICG-SAME) at ICAR–CPCRI Research Centre, Kidu, Karnataka.

Major recommendations from the workshop included:

•Strengthening international collaboration in germplasm exchange through SMTA, with ICGs and NCGs as signatories to Article 15.

•Developing harmonized guidelines for safe and efficient exchange of genetic resources for ICC-COGENT member countries.

•Promoting best practices in conservation, including targeted collections, proper regeneration, safe duplication, and robust record-keeping.

•Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as multi-omics, AI, and digital tools for germplasm documentation and assessment.

•Standardizing methodologies to evaluate climate resilience, pest/disease resistance, processing suitability, and carbon-sequestration potential.

•Sharing recent advances in ovary/inflorescence culture to scale up the production of elite planting material.

The workshop marked a significant milestone in strengthening global coconut genebanks, reinforcing their role in building climate-resilient and sustainable food systems while ensuring the conservation of genetic resources for future generations.

(Source: ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala)