TAGUM CITY —The Ata-Manobo abaca farmers of Talaingod town in Davao del Norte are looking forward to a brisk production after the Provincial government fully supported the planters by devoting over 50 hectares of land for said crop.
Mayor Jonnie Libayao in an interview with Newsline.ph said, Governor Edwin I. Jubahib has provided them the technical training and abaca stalks in the hope of reviving the once productive harvest in the early 80’s.
As it is now, the villages of Bahugan, Nasilaban and its nearby areas are planted with Abaca, “These areas are planted by individual families and soon we will have an area which will be developed by the municipality and those who will work there are individuals who need intervention in terms of jobs and livelihood,” Libayao revealed.
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority said that Abaca is a vital crop to the Philippine economy, as well as the entire world’s economy and environmental care.
Noteworthy are the abaca plantations that have mushroomed in the Visayas and Mindanao with growing advocacy for environmental protection and forest conservation.
Libayao also cited that there is a strong interest worldwide and acceptability for “green” and “organic” products made by manufacturing companies, especially in the US and Europe, which turned to natural and bio-degradable raw materials like Abaca.
Being the strongest among all natural fibers and having superior qualities over other materials, abaca fibers are preferred over man-made fibers such as plastics and other synthetic materials by various industries around the world.
Libayao said many abaca planters replaced their old variety for Tangongon (NSIC 2017 Mt 003) because the fiber is silky and the yield is of good quality.
As it is now, Abaca wavers in Talaingod are producing clothing materials while others are waving bags, Libayao added.
