Sunday, July 08, 2007 DA to develop 50T hectares of abaca
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will develop a total of 50,390 hectares of abaca plantations by 2010 under a six-year program to prop up the Philippines' status as the world's No. 1 producer of this product.
DA Secretary Arthur Yap said under the Department's abaca expansion program, which began in 2004, a total of 19,651 hectares have already been devoted to abaca, while another 30,739 hectares will be planted in the next three years. "Most of the plantations being established are in areas free from abaca diseases and are not frequently visited by typhoons," Yap said.
About 85 percent of the world's abaca fiber supply comes from the Philippines, while the remaining 15 percent comes from Ecuador, the only other commercial producer.
Abaca is used in the production of ropes and cordage, fibercrafts, textiles, teabags, sausage casings, cigarette paper, coffee filters, security documents and currency notes, and also as composites in the automotive industry.
From $71.45 million in 2001, earnings from abaca exports rose to $90.68 million in 2006. About 86 percent of total export revenues from this product come from processed abaca and the 14 percent balance from unprocessed abaca fiber.
The Philippines' major markets include the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, France and China for abaca fiber and pulp; and the United States, Singapore, Canada Italy, Spain, and Hong Kong for cordage and fiber crafts. (Press release)
