Enviro News Asia, Rangiroa — Global demand for coconut-based products—from water and virgin oil to sugar and cosmetics—continues to rise rapidly. However, the sector is under pressure from ageing plantations, climate change, and limited productivity gains, prompting renewed research efforts to secure its future.
The French agricultural research organization CIRAD has launched a long-term roadmap aimed at transforming the coconut value chain into a more sustainable and resilient system over the coming decade.
Despite increasing global demand, coconut yields have seen only modest growth over the past 40 years, rising from 3.7 to 5.6 tonnes per hectare annually. At the same time, many plantations are ageing, with countries like Indonesia reporting that around 20 percent of coconut trees require renewal.
Climate change is compounding these challenges by altering growing conditions and increasing the spread of pests and diseases such as lethal yellowing, which can devastate entire plantations. Smallholder farmers, who dominate coconut production in tropical coastal regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to market knowledge and resources.
To address these issues, CIRAD’s roadmap focuses on three strategic priorities:
1. Advancing Genetic Research and Resource Management
Researchers aim to better understand coconut genetic diversity to develop improved varieties that are more productive, resilient to climate stress, and resistant to diseases.
2. Supporting Agroecological Transition
Efforts include training farmers in sustainable practices, pest management, and adapting to climate impacts. Challenges such as infestations by beetles (Oryctes spp.) and the spread of plant diseases require improved knowledge-sharing and reduced reliance on chemical controls.
3. Strengthening Knowledge and Capacity Building
CIRAD is working to consolidate decades of expertise by providing training in sustainable production, data management, and innovative processing techniques to help farmers and stakeholders adapt to future market demands.
These initiatives aim to transform the coconut sector into a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient value chain, ensuring long-term livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers worldwide. (*)
