THE German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has lauded the interest shown by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in reviving the abaca industry in the province.
The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center (Pedic) had earlier tapped GIZ, a non-government organization that represents the German government in development cooperation all over the world, mainly for possible assistance on the abaca development project of the province.
In a response-letter addressed to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Matthias Radek, GIZ’s program manager for agriculture development partnership with private sector, said the province’s initiative aligns with the Abaca Sustainability Initiative Project.
Radek said the program, which is in partnership with the various government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, is aimed at supporting abaca farmers to increase the productivity and income of their farms, and achieve international certification by Rainforest Alliance.
“At present, we are currently developing new proposals for our private and public partners for the continuation of the abaca project as well as new project for coffee,” he added.
The GIZ official said they will inform the province once they plan to visit its farms and check out its organic products.
Engineer Jose Maria Amugod, provincial project development officer III, said Negros Occidental remains optimistic that the foreign organization will really help the province, particularly on increasing the local abaca raw material production.
Amugod said one of the potentials which the province can showcase to GIZ is the availability of areas for abaca plantation and its strong interest to revive the industry.
“During their visit, which we hope before the year ends, we will highlight the need to increase the production,” he said, reiterating that “there is now a huge demand for abaca both for domestic and exports so the market is not a problem, only the supply.”