Abaca farming seen to help Samar, Leyte bounce back from Yolanda tragedy

abaca rope

The Philippines may soon emerge not only as the biggest producer of abaca for the international market but also the  world’s only integrated abaca producer.

The Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), with support from the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) has implemenented a project called “Enhancing Productivity of Abaca Farms in Bicol through an Integrated Farming System Abakayamanan.”

Abakayamanan combines abaca farming with coconut and other crops.

The target for the abaca-integration project is the Leyte-Samar area, which has lately surpassed the Bicol region as the most prolific abaca producer in the Philippines.

The program has raised farmers’ income in two pilot areas —  San Roque, Maliliput, Albay and Gubat, Sorsogon — by P14,400 per 1,000 square meters.

The replication of the Abakayamanan project in the typhoon-ravaged provinces of Leyte and Samar will enhance the marketing of quality abaca manufacturing in the Philippines in the light of the certification obtained by manufacturers for sustainable forest management.

Abaca is preferred in European markets over synthetic not only because of its durability but also on accounts its biodegradable characteristics that are environment-friendly.

Ecuador, which used to be a top producer of abaca, is now reducing the area it plants to the fiber.

Leyte, Southern Leyte and Northern Samar are among the country’s 10 biggest abaca producers.

The other top provinces are Catanduanes, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Sur, Leyte, Sulu, Davao Oriental, Camarines Sur and Surigao del Sur.

Photo from:  donaldsonrope.com