Abaca industry gets P5-B boost

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allotting P5 billion for the next five years to boost the local abaca production.

Agriculture chief Manny Piñol is eyeing an additional 90,000 hectares for the abaca plantation nationwide.

“There is a great demand for abaca all over the world and there are only three countries producing it: Philippines (original producer), Ecuador, and Costa Rica,” Pinol said.

“We really have to exploit new opportunities in front of us, as far as abaca is concerned,” he added.

The abaca program is a five-year program budget allocation for planting materials, fertilizers, modern technology, stripping machines, and for the overall improvement of the industry.

An initial funding of P100 million will immediately be provided to the local government of Southern Leyte, where half of the budget will be allotted for the procurement of planting materials that will cover 1,500 hectares.

Piñol said the agency would expand abaca plantation in the region and spearhead the rehabilitation of abaca industry in Leyte.

“The plan is to immediately assist the farmers by buying planting materials from them using the local abaca variety called ‘inusa’, which is performing very well in the area,” Pinol said.

The agri chief has also directed the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) to start conducting technical training including production of abaca planting materials, abaca bunchy top disease management, accurate fertilizer application, proper planting distance, and cultural management practices.

“We will introduce a new technology where 4,000 abaca seedlings can be planted per hectare, from the usual 1,600 seedlings/ha,” PhilFida executive director Victor Prodigo said.

Latest data from PhilFida showed that export earnings from abaca products more than doubled in the first month of the year to $11 million.

Abaca is a material used for making tea bags, casing of meat sausages, surgical masks and cigarette paper.