Indonesia expresses interest in conducting collaborative research with Palmyrah Research Institute here

During a recent visit to Jaffna, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing, held a meeting with the Manager of the Palmyrah Research Institute (PRI), Sri Vijenindran.

During an extensive discussion between the Indonesian Ambassador and the Manager of PRI, they explored the possible collaboration in research, product development, and sharing of expertise between PRI and the Palma Research Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia and other Indonesian stakeholders, such as smallholder associations, university research centres, and other government institutions.

Similar to Sri Lanka, Indonesia’s palmyrah tree is also a species of Borassus flabellifer, also known as Lontar or Siwalan. Palmyrah grows widely in Indonesia, especially in the eastern region of Indonesia where it grows well naturally in dry areas. The palmyrah trees have also become a symbol of the region in Jeneponto and East Nusa Tenggara. A number of uses of palmyrah can be seen in the daily life of the community in the two areas. Several studies on palmyrah as a potential raw material for bioethanol have been conducted, making palmyrah’s economic value higher.

PRI is the only research centre related to palmyrah and its products in South Asia. Together with the Palmyrah Development Board of Sri Lanka, PRI has been able to develop up to 50 types of products derived from the palm tree. Until September 2021, Sri Lanka was able to export palmyrah products worth up to 12.5 million USD. Several international collaborations related to research and development of palmyrah products in Sri Lanka, mainly with neighbouring countries, have already been carried out.