Researchers in Colombia, led by professor Isis Bonet Cruz, are using deep learning models to predict the ripeness of oil palm fruit in real-time, aiming to increase efficiency and conserve biodiversity without expanding plantations. This project, part of Colombia's efforts to ensure palm oil production without deforestation, could potentially reduce the use of water and fertilizers by predicting the optimal harvesting times. Meanwhile, Alberto Gomez Mejia, a botanist, is working to protect two culturally and economically important palm species in Colombia, Taparo and Chontaduro, which are native to the country and face extinction, by establishing a gene bank, reintroducing them into the wild, and developing sustainable commercial plantations.