I Coast claims coconut first
2008-05-11 09:54
Abidjan - Researchers in the Ivory Coast
are asking $1m for a three-headed hybrid coconut tree
they believe could substantially boost productivity of the
tropical nut.
Scientists at Ivory Coast's National Agronomic Research
Centre (NARC) discovered the tree after mixing different
strains of coconut palm in an effort to build disease
resistance.
"We still don't have a buyer, but we are hopeful because we
remain in talks with certain partners to buy this hybrid," said
Jean Louis Konan, head of NARC's coconut research programme.
Researchers decided last year to sell the hybrid to support
the research centre, whose 800 hectares of coconut trees
contain 99 varieties from across the world. The centre, which
donates hybrids to different countries, is striving to find a
means of reproducing the three-headed tree using its nuts.
"In selling this hybrid, our objective is to have the means
to multiply on a large scale to popularise it and increase the
productivity of planters, as all three heads produce coconuts."
Ivory Coast has 50 000 hectares of coconut trees, which are
used to make soap, cooking oil and cookies. Indonesia and
Philippines are the world's largest coconut growers.