Acrocomia Workshops 

July 17, 2018 at the University of Hohenheim, Germany

The Workshop Acrocomia was organized by the Hohenheim Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems in the framework of Acrocomia-Platform initiative. Workshop objective was to get the overview of current Acrocomia research activities, to outline further scientific interests and potentials in the area, as well as to identify and plan strategic activities for possible establishment of Acrocomia research hub at the University of Hohenheim.

Participants of the Workshop were young and senior scientists from Hohenheim and partner institutions from Brazil and Costa Rica, so far involved into Acrocomia research. From the Food Security Center the workshop attended Prof. Dr. Jan Frank (FSC Vice Director), Dr. Jenny Kopsch-Xhema, (FSC CEO) from the University of Hohenheim and Prof. Dr. Víctor M. Jiménez, FSC partner and regional coordinator from the University of Costa Rica.

Prof. Dr. Víctor M. Jiménez, who has already been involved into Acrocomia cooperation with the Department of Plant Foodstuff Technology and Analysis (University of Hohenheim), shared experiences and addressed possible future research questions focusing on Acrocomia diversity, cultivation and processing.

On the results of the workshop, Acrocomia research activities should be continued towards elaboration of joint research projects with involvement of stakeholders from science and industry. An international Acrocomia Workshop will be a part of strategy in 2019.

Macauba (Acrocomia sp.) also known as macaw palm is endemic to the neotropics (Central to South America); savannah and open forests. It is adapted to a wide range of environments, i.e. warm temperate to tropical zones; (700)1000-1900 mm of rainfall, and a wide range of soils. Acrocomia is underutilized, high potential species for food, fodder, fiber, and fuel.