SAFI Institute Organises National Workshop On Banana & Orchid Tissue Culture For Eco-Restoration
Malappuram, Kerala: In an era when climate change, habitat destruction, and the fast-declining quality of agricultural resources demand robust scientific solutions, the Department of Biotechnology at SAFI Institute of Advanced Study (Autonomous) has taken a significant step forward. On December 4 and 5, the Institute hosted a two-day national workshop titled “Biotechnological Interventions in Banana & Orchid Tissue Culture for Eco-restoration and Commercial Applications”. Supported by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment (KSCSTE), the programme brought together scientists, researchers, students, and academicians from various parts of the country, signalling SAFI’s growing role as a centre for research-driven academic initiatives.
The workshop arrived at a crucial moment. Across India, and particularly in Kerala, agricultural landscapes and forest ecosystems are under stress due to climatic uncertainties and diminishing biodiversity. For Malappuram—a district with a deep agricultural history but increasing ecological challenges—the event stood as a timely convergence of science, sustainability, and community-oriented biotechnology.
A Vision Rooted in Sustainability
The workshop was inaugurated by Principal Prof. E. P. Imbichikoya, whose address framed biotechnology as a field deeply intertwined with environmental responsibility. He highlighted how the accelerating pace of ecological degradation demands innovative responses, especially those capable of revitalising traditional farming systems while fostering new opportunities for livelihood generation. Biotechnology, he argued, offers precisely such a bridge.
Prof. Imbichikoya also emphasised the growing necessity for disease-resistant planting material, climate-resilient crops, and scalable propagation methods that can reach farmers across socio-economic backgrounds. “Biotechnology,” he noted, “is no longer limited to controlled laboratory settings. Its applications have entered farms, markets, and conservation landscapes, transforming the way we grow, preserve, and restore plant life.”
Dr. Sahaya Shibu, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, welcomed the participants and contextualised the workshop within SAFI’s broader academic philosophy. She reiterated the Institute’s mission of nurturing research-oriented learning environments and building strong collaborations between academic institutions, research organisations, and government bodies. The workshop, she said, reflected SAFI’s effort to make science accessible and socially relevant.
Day One Focus: Banana Tissue Culture and India’s Agricultural Future
The first day of the event featured a keynote address by Dr. M. S. Saraswathi, Principal Scientist at the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), whose session explored the transformative potential of banana tissue culture in contemporary agriculture.
Banana is more than a fruit crop in India. It is embedded in cultural traditions, religious practices, daily diets, and local economies. But monoculture farming, climate variability, soil degradation, and the rapid spread of plant diseases such as Panama Wilt, Sigatoka, and Bunchy Top Virus have placed farmers under increasing pressure. Dr. Saraswathi argued that tissue culture offers a practical and scientifically robust solution. Through the production of disease-free and genetically uniform plantlets, tissue culture ensures consistent yields and healthier plantation cycles—factors crucial for small-scale farmers in Kerala.
Her lecture delved into the newest advancements in banana biotechnology, explaining how micropropagation techniques have been refined to multiply elite varieties at unprecedented speeds. She also discussed how somaclonal variation studies are enabling scientists to identify desirable traits such as pest resistance or improved nutritional quality. In addition, she touched upon genome editing and cryopreservation techniques that promise long-term improvements in banana germplasm conservation.
Participants actively engaged with Dr. Saraswathi, raising questions on commercialisation models, cost structures of establishing nurseries, and government schemes that support banana cultivation. Her responses underscored the possibilities for institutions like SAFI to partner with national research centres, enabling technology transfer and creating opportunities for student internships and collaborative field trials.
Day Two Spotlight: Orchid Tissue Culture and Biodiversity Conservation
If the first day explored the agricultural implications of tissue culture, the second day turned attention to biodiversity conservation. The keynote address by Prof. (Dr.) Minu Divakaran, Director (Research & Consultancy) at Providence Women’s College, examined the ecological and commercial relevance of orchids, one of the world’s most diverse and charismatic plant groups.
Kerala’s climatic mosaic—from rain-drenched highlands to coastal plains—makes it a natural haven for orchids. Yet many native species are under threat due to habitat loss, illegal harvesting, and changing climatic patterns. Prof. Minu highlighted how orchids serve as bioindicators, their sensitivity revealing early signs of forest degradation. In such a scenario, she argued, tissue culture becomes a powerful conservation strategy.
She elaborated on how laboratory-based propagation helps prevent the extinction of rare orchids by enabling mass multiplication without disturbing wild populations. Tissue culture also plays a critical role in ex situ conservation when natural habitats are compromised. At the same time, commercially valuable orchid species can be cultivated by local communities, reducing the need for wild collection and providing income opportunities.
Prof. Minu’s session resonated particularly with students interested in conservation biology and sustainable entrepreneurship. She emphasised the importance of maintaining sterile lab environments, replicating symbiotic associations essential for orchid seed germination, and collaborating with ecologists for successful reintroduction programmes in natural habitats.
Hands-on Learning: Bringing Science to Life
Beyond lectures, what made the workshop particularly impactful was its emphasis on hands-on learning. Participants were introduced to each stage of the tissue culture process—from preparing growth media and sterilising explants to inducing callus formation, initiating shoot proliferation, and managing acclimatisation phases essential for young plantlets.
The Department of Biotechnology’s faculty and technical experts guided participants through laboratory demonstrations, helping them understand how theoretical concepts become viable technologies. Many students described these sessions as their first exposure to advanced plant biotechnology techniques, remarking on their relevance for both academic research and commercial applications.
The discussions extended into practical aspects of entrepreneurship as well. Participants examined the economics of running tissue culture units, the challenges of maintaining quality assurance, the importance of certification, and the emerging market for scientifically propagated plantlets. Sessions also touched upon intellectual property rights and the regulatory environment surrounding biotechnology enterprises.
Eco-Restoration as a Central Theme
What set this workshop apart from conventional biotechnology events was its explicit focus on ecological restoration. Kerala’s recurring cycles of floods, landslides, and heat extremes have reminded policymakers and citizens alike that ecological healing must accompany scientific progress. Throughout the workshop, speakers reiterated that tissue culture is not merely about mass-producing plants; it is about reviving degraded landscapes, supporting community-based farming, replenishing plant diversity, and enabling climate resilience.
By producing strong, disease-resistant planting material, tissue culture can help rehabilitate marginal farmlands, encourage home gardens, and reintroduce rare species into disturbed habitats. The workshop highlighted several instances where tissue-cultured plants have contributed to restoring biodiversity in the Western Ghats and regenerating post-flood agricultural fields.
Valedictory Session: Commitment to Future Growth
The two-day programme concluded with a valedictory ceremony on December 5. Vice Principal Mohammed Kamil addressed the gathering and praised participants for their dedication and curiosity. He emphasised how the event aligned with SAFI Institute’s broader vision of nurturing scientists who are not only skilled but also socially conscious. He acknowledged the Department of Biotechnology for meticulously organising a national-level programme and ensuring active participation from students and experts.
SAFI Institute Organises National Workshop On Banana & Orchid Tissue Culture For Eco-Restoration
Nafeela P. P. delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to KSCSTE for its support, and recognising the contributions of resource persons, faculty members, non-teaching staff, laboratory assistants, and student volunteers whose efforts ensured the workshop’s success.
Enduring Impact: Strengthening Kerala’s Biotechnology Landscape
Although the workshop lasted only two days, its impact is likely to extend far beyond. The training and discussions are expected to influence Kerala’s biotechnology ecosystem in multiple ways.
For students, the event opened new pathways into research, offering practical exposure that traditional classroom teaching often lacks. For researchers, it established opportunities for collaboration with national institutes like NRCB. For budding entrepreneurs, the sessions on commercial applications may act as a springboard for ventures in banana nurseries, orchid floriculture, and eco-restoration consultancies. And for conservationists, the insights on orchid propagation reinforce the importance of integrating science with policy and community participation.
Most importantly, the workshop reaffirmed the role educational institutions play in confronting ecological challenges. By blending scientific innovation with social responsibility, SAFI Institute has positioned itself as a model for sustainable biotechnology education.
Toward a Greener, Scientifically Empowered Future
As the event drew to a close, a sense of renewed scientific curiosity and ecological commitment filled the air. The participants returned with more than training—they carried a vision of how biotechnology can transform landscapes, empower communities, and help restore ecological balance in a rapidly changing world.
For SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, the workshop was not just an academic event but a milestone in its journey toward building a research-oriented, environmentally conscious academic culture. With the continued support of KSCSTE and expanding collaborations with national research centres, the Institute is poised to initiate more programmes that unite science, sustainability, and social impact.
