Bring abaca industry back to life, new government urged

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has called on president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to inject life into the ailing abaca industry.

“The abaca farmers really need more government support on the production side,” Alcala said during the third anniversary of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).

Abaca is an ideal companion crop especially under coconut and fruit-bearing trees, and can provide secondary or additional income to farmers.

Alcala urged PhilFIDA to utilize all resources and technologies available to maintain and retain existing abaca nurseries, which provide planting materials to the farmers.

“Not too many farmers want to go into the production of abaca, resulting to low production,” he said.

PhilFIDA director Clarito Barron said every regional office must maintain a good supply of clone abaca planting materials for the farmers.

The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards must craft quality standards for abaca that will ensure the competitiveness of the crop.

Alcala underscored the importance of market matching so they will be assured of ready buyers.

Based on the five-year Philippine abaca industry roadmap, at least P9 billion will be needed to revive the sector and make it more competitive in the international market.

The money will be used for the rehabilitation of abaca farms, disease management, provision of machines to poor farmers, and the training for the new generation of abaca farmers.

DA-PhilFIDA delivered production support to 11,442 abaca farmers in terms of technical assistance and distribution of seedlings.

The number of abaca farmers increased to 125,530 last year.

In 2015, there was a 36 percent increase in export of raw abaca fiber valued at $127 million.

Total value of Philippine abaca exports rose to $114.7 million last year, up 3.1 percent from a year ago.

Pulp, which accounts for 69.2 percent market share of the abaca exports, reported earnings of $79.4 million or an increase of 11.7 percent.

Abaca cordage, which grabbed a market share of 10 percent, fell to $11.4 million.

Fibercrafts exports also fell 67.3 percent to $3.7 million.

Europe was the top exporter accounting for 16.54 million MTs followed by Asian destinations and the US.

By country, Germany was top exporter followed by UK, Japan and France.