The Coconut Research Institute (CRI) of CATAS – 椰子所, located in Wenchang, Hainan Province, was founded in 1980. The institute focuses on research related to tropical oil-bearing crops and palmaceous plants, including coconut, oil palm, and oil-tea camellia. CRI employs 141 staff members, including 19 senior scientists.
CRI’s research areas include the innovative utilization of germplasm resources, cultivation technologies for high-yielding and high-benefit crops, prevention and control of major pests and diseases, comprehensive utilization of products, and biotechnology. The institute has established 9 scientific and technological platforms, such as the Scientific and Experimental Station of Tropical Oil Plants of MARA, the Tropical Palm Germplasm Nursery of MARA, and the Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology. CRI also provides technological services to farmers.
International collaboration is a key aspect of CRI’s operations, with partnerships involving 20 countries and organizations, including the International Coconut Community (ICC), the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT), and the FAO. Partner institutes include the Malaysian Oil Board, the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka, the Horticultural Research Institute of Thailand, and the Indonesia Coconut and Palm Plants Research Institute. CRI also organizes international training courses for developing countries.
Additionally, CRI oversees the “Coconut Grandview Garden” in Wenchang City, an ecological scenic spot built on the foundation of the coconut germplasm resource garden. The garden spans an area of 54.5 hectares.
More information (in Chinese): https://www.catascri.cn.
