Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Autonomous region seeks aid to develop abaca industry
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) is seeking for assistance to develop at least 50 hectares of new abaca farms within this year, the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) 11 has reported.
Fida 11 regional director Victorino Agnes said Armm's Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) is asking them to train at least 10 of the region's abaca technicians to jumpstart such project.
"Right now, there is an abaca plantation pero spot-spot (small areas) lang. Maliit lang talaga sa. 'Yong tipong hindi talaga for commercial consumption,"
Agnes said.
He said Armm has a huge potential to become a leading abaca producer.
Agnes urged the local government units (LGUs) of Armm to formulate their own initiatives and measures for the immediate implementation of the project.
"Like in Sarangani and Cotabato, 'yong LGUs nila mismo ang gumawa ng initial steps kasi walang concrete funds ang Fida for that. So, if they are really willing to develop their own abaca industry, pwede sigurong ang DAF-Armm ang mag-purchase ng plantlets para sa initial planting," he said.
If 50 hectares will be developed starting this month, Agnes said, the price level of the fiber will become more stabilized since there will be an additional volume of production.
"Eighteen months kasi pwede ka nang mag-initial harvest, ang succeeding naman would be four months thereafter na. So, mabilis lang talaga," he said.
Agnes said that although the expansion target of the region is just minimal, it will already contribute to the country's annual abaca production.
As of 2004, the country's total fiber production was pegged at 72,891 metric tons.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 2, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
