ABACA Activities in the Philippines - Unido

Ref. No. CFC/FIGHF/09 CFC/UNIDO/FIDA 1
PROJECT SUMMARY
Name of Project: Abaca: Improvement of Fiber Extraction and Identification of Higher Yielding
Varieties (CFC/FIGHF/09)
Objectives: The central objective of the project is to contribute to a more stable relationship
between demand and production of abaca fiber, by improving fiber quality, farm productivity and output.
Brief Project Description: The project was designed to develop efficient abaca extraction tools and
machinery and to identify high yielding and disease-resistant varieties selected from existing collections in
the Philippines and field test them for regional adaptability. Activities under the Component A focused on the
evaluation of existing extraction tools and machinery for possible design modifications or development of
completely new designs, the production of test models and eventually, the fabrication of pilot models and
field testing for efficiency. Component B focused on the identification and selection of high yielding and
disease resistant abaca varieties in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao. The selected abaca varieties in each region
were exchanged for performance/regional adaptability trial. Their fiber characteristics were evaluated for
present and future uses. Component C was responsible for the dissemination of the project results at the
completion of the project.
Benefits to be derived from the project: Component A of the project was designed to result on the
improvement/ development of extraction tools/machinery that will ensure higher level of efficiency while
maintaining or possibly improving fiber quality. Component B was aimed at identifying higher yielding,
disease-resistant abaca varieties. The results are expected to increased farm productivity and production,
thereby, increasing farmers’ income.
Main achievements of the project: Under the project, a mechanical tuxer and an auto-fed
decorticating machine that can extract abaca fiber from the whole abaca leaf sheaths, instead of tuxies, which
is the traditional method, have been developed. Likewise, abaca varieties that are disease-resistant and those
performing well in terms of fiber yield in Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao, have been identified. A Farmers’
Manual on Abaca has been prepared for publication in English and Philippino and in two local dialects (Bikol
and Cebuano) for distribution to abaca farmers. An international and three regional dissemination seminars
were conducted to present the results of the project.
Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of the project are the abaca industry in general and the
abaca farmers, in particular. The introduction and adoption of improved extraction machines and
recommended higher yielding abaca varieties are expected to increase abaca production and generate
additional employment in the countryside, and therefore prevent rural migration. Local abaca processors and
manufacturers and foreign buyers will likewise benefit from the project with the expected increase in fiber
production and the stabilization of supply. The country’s gain will be in the form of increased export revenues
as abaca, both in raw and processed forms, are generally for export.
Institutions involved:
Supervisory Body:
FAO-Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibers
Project Executing Agency:
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Implementing Agency:
Fiber Industry Development Authority
Starting Date: July 1998
Completion Date: October 2004
Financing: Total Project Budget - US$1,456,134
CFC contribution - - US$ 841,240
GOP - US$ 614,894