An international coconut forum in Cairns later this month will explore the potential of coconut oil as “biofuel” for isolated South Pacific islands and seek commercial backing to establish a tourist theme park.
The forum will bring together specialists from research directors, managers of international agencies, entrepreneurs dealing with product development in Australia, and small business “denutters” who harvest palms in north Queensland cities and market the fresh fruit.
University of Queensland researchers Dr Yohannes Samosir and Associate Professor Steve Adkins will take part in the forum, to be held from November 22 to 24 in Cairns.
Dr Samosir and Associate Professor Adkins from UQ’s School of Land and Food Sciences are researching coconut tissue culture with funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
Dr Samosir will speak on Australia’s involvement in coconut research and development, and discuss the possibility of developing a Coconut World theme park in Queensland.
The Federal Government has supported research into the sustainability of coconut production, survey and evaluation of genetic material particularly in the South Pacific.
The forum is also expected to discuss current developments in coconut production, virgin coconut oil, and consider the future for coconut oil as biofuel in the isolated outposts of the South Pacific.
Sponsors include ACIAR, AusAID, Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Coconet, and Kokonut Pacific Pty Ltd, and CSIRO Fellow Mike Foale.
Media: For further information, contact Dr. Yohannes Samosir on + 61 7 3365 9750, email y.samosir@uq.edu.au
