Global

Coordinating the Conservation and Use of Coconut Diversity in the Asia-Pacific Region and Globally

Image
different grains in different sized bags and barrels
Project code
GP/2017/023
Program
Budget
AUD 80,085
Project leader
Allison Grove - Bioversity International
Commissioned organisation
Bioversity International
Duration:
SEP 2017
JUN 2018
Project status
Concluded
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Overview

This small research and development activity (SRA) aimed to determine how best to sustain the conservation and use of coconut genetic diversity for the Asia-Pacific Region and globally.

Coconut is important to millions of smallholder households in over 90 tropical countries. In 2014, the world produced around 61 million tonnes of coconuts, mainly for domestic consumption, but also for copra, oil, fibre, timber, milk and 'water'.

The future of coconut production and livelihoods depends on its broad genetic diversity, much of which is threatened by pests and diseases, and the effects of climate change (including increasingly severe cyclones and drought). Further investment could build coconut stakeholders' capacity and resilience across the value-chain, particularly for conserving genetic resources.

The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) has developed its new 2017-2023 Global Strategy for Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources, which will be published in 2017. This marks a route to enhanced wellbeing for millions of coconut smallholders across the globe.

This SRA finalised and launched the Global Strategy for Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources, particularly how this relates to the Pacific region. It  assured the technical and organisational underpinning for conservation and use of coconut genetic diversity in the Pacific and globally. It also elucidated international efforts to address key biotic (pests) and abiotic (climate change) threats to coconut diversity in the Pacific.

Key partners
Centre international pour la recherche agronomique pour le développement
Pacific Community Fiji