Equipment for abaca farmers

The DA said it expects demand for abaca to rise as it becomes a source of raw materials for more products such as ropes, twines, fishing lines and nets as well as paper for Philippine bank notes.

compared to manual stripping which yields to 15 to 25 kilos per day, spindle stripping can recover 80 to 120 kilos per day.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has disbursed P1.8 million to four associations of abaca farmers based in the municipality of San Luis in Agusan del Sur.

The funds, which were released through the DA-Caraga office under the DA-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program, will finance the acquisition of six portable spindle-stripping machines and three hand tractors.

According to the DA-Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), the equipment will help farmers produce higher quality abaca fiber. The new stripping machines, for instance, would allow farmers to extract fiber faster and more efficiently. As compared to manual stripping which yields to 15 to 25 kilos per day, spindle stripping can recover 80 to 120 kilos per day.

Santos Escalicas, chairman of Muritula Usad Farmer Association, said producing high quality abaca would translate to higher income and due to its mobility, the new equipment provides convenience and ease of operation.

“We are very grateful for DA-SAAD Caraga for granting this project to us,” he said.

The DA said it expects demand for abaca to rise as it becomes a source of raw materials for more products such as ropes, twines, fishing lines and nets as well as paper for Philippine bank notes.

Aside from the planting materials and fertilizers, technical assistance was provided by DA-Caraga in coordination with the DA-PhilFIDA to encourage farmers to have a long-term goal.

The recipients also underwent training to establish and enhance their farms through the introduction of better farm management practices.