Abaca production and farming practices in Caraga region

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 27 | Sagocsoc et al. RE RERE RESEARCH SEARCHSEARCH SEARCH PAPER PAPERPAPER PAPER OPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESSOPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESS Abaca production and farming practices in Caraga region Rosalina A. Sagocsoc * , Teresita A. Atega, Rennielynn F. Canales College of Agriculture and Agri - Industries, Caraga State University, Ampayon, Butuan City, Agusen del Norte, Philippines Article published on July 08, 2023 Key words: Abaca production, Abaca farming practices, Abaca in Caraga Abstract The study was conducted to determine Abaca's production areas and farming practices in the Caraga region. There were 1,256 abaca farmers identified and interviewed through a survey questionnaire. Geo-tagging was done to verify the area and location of abaca production areas in the Caraga region. Moreover, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among farmers and traders. A stakeholder's forum was also done to validate the data collected, which farmers, traders, and representatives from DTI, LGUs, PAOs, and PhilFIDA attended. The results showed 31 abaca-producing municipalities in the Caraga region, with Surigao del Sur as the leading province. Likewise, Surigao del Sur had the most abaca farmers among the provinces, dominated by males. The majority of the farmers have a 1-hectare farm area. At the same time, the land owner they were cultivating was also members of different organizations, either government or nongovernment. Most farmers engaged in abaca production for 11 to 20 years already, and aside from Abaca, they planted falcata as another source of income. The variety commonly planted by the farmers was Inusa, primarily given by neighbors. Most of them do not use fertilizers due to the high cost. Eighteen months after planting, most can frequently harvest fiber 3-4 times yearly. As practiced, the waste materials were just dumped in the area after harvesting. * Corresponding Author: A. Sagocsoc  [email protected] Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 23, No. 1, p. 27-38, 2023 http://www.innspub.net J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 28 | Sagocsoc et al. Introduction The "Manila hemp," known internationally for its world-class fiber, continues to be one of the priority agricultural commodities of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Philippines supplies more than 87.4 percent of the total abaca fiber market and earns more than $111.33 million in global abaca trade annually (PCA, 2017). Abaca is in great demand in the world market today because of its lucrative value in industries such as making security papers, paper money, ropes, insulators, and other handicrafts. The most important part of the Abaca is the stalk, the source of fiber. Abaca fiber is superior over all other natural fibers because of its great strength, which is three times stronger than cotton, and its resistance to the action of water. Due to the increasing use of abaca fiber in manufacturing specialty paper and growing insistence on gifts, toys, and housewares, the demand for fiber among pulp manufacturers is constantly surging. The Abaca industry, mainly from Visayas and Mindanao, helped boost the country's economy in the past decade, earning an annual average of Php 4.7 billion in export earnings (www.philfida.da.gov.ph, 2019). The Philippines, the world's largest abaca producer, hold a significant market share in Asia Pacific. A considerable portion of produced abaca fiber in the Philippines is internally consumed while a significant portion is exported to various countries like U.S., Japan, and other European countries. The Philippine government is taking supportive initiatives to increase the production levels of high-quality abaca fiber for domestic consumption and export (Erie News, 2019). Thus, abaca profiling in the Caraga region is necessary to fill the gaps in the recently conducted Value Chain Analysis of the Commodity in the Caraga region. Profiling tells us the actual scenario of how many abaca farmers engaged in this commodity, what support programs they availed in our present administration, what they need and what other issues and concerns so that our government can also make some intervention programs for our abaca industry. Caraga Region contributes 5% to the national abaca production. Caraga has supplied Abaca as raw material for pulp production and handicrafts to Iligan, Davao and the Bicol region. Surigao del Sur is the largest abaca producer in the Caraga region, and in Mindanao, it accounts for 65% of the Caraga region's abaca output during the year 2013. With the presence of a Mindanao-wide VCA for Abaca and the commodity investment plans (CIPs) of the Caraga Provinces, the main aim of the study is to address current data gaps of the Abaca industry profile of the Caraga Region, which will serve as the basis for determining the kind of support programs which the national agencies, the local and nongovernment organizations could extend to support the industry in the region. Materials and methods A total of 3 815 Abaca farmers were identified and listed. Of the 3 815 abaca farmers, 1,256 abaca farmers, or 47.86%, were identified and interviewed. The study started with listing abaca farmers, traders, and processors in the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority. A courtesy call was made by sending a communication letter to the local government unit. Geo-tagging of abaca production areas was conducted during interviews made possible with the help of the Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) and local officials. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with farmers and traders to gather more data. Finally, a Stakeholder's Forum attended by the farmers, traders, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA, the PLGUs, the Provincial Agriculture Offices (PAOs), and the PhilFIDA in the region was conducted for data validation. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 29 | Sagocsoc et al. Result and discussion The abaca production areas in Caraga Region were identified by geo-tagging/geo-mapping. In the Region, there are 31 abaca-producing municipalities. The majority of these municipalities are located in Surigao del Sur. There are 16 or 84.21% of municipalities in Surigao del Sur that produces Abaca. These are Cortes, Lanuza, San Miguel, Tandag City, Tago, Carrascal, Barobo, Lingig, Tagbina, Hinatuan, Bislig, Carmen, San Agustin, Marihatag, Cagwait, and Liangga. In Surigao del Norte, there are 20 municipalities; out of them, only three (3) were abaca-producing areas because some of the areas are coastal, so their source of income is devoted to fishing, mining, and farming. In Agusan del Sur, there are seven abaca-producing municipalities. These are the following: Sibagat, Bayugan, Esperanza, San Luis, Prosperidad, Rosario, and Bunawan. While in Agusan del Norte, only five municipalities produced Abaca; these are Nasipit, RTR, Cabadbaran, Kitcharao, and Last Nieves. The Abaca profile in the RegionRegion in terms of the number of abaca farmers, socioeconomic profile, membership of farmers in organizations, the area planted to Abaca, the production, marketing, and processing practices of the various abaca farmers, traders, and processors in Caraga region The number of abaca farmers in Caraga is 3, 815 which are distributed in the four provinces of the RegionRegion (Table 1). Surigao del Sur had the most number of abaca farmers in caraga region, followed by the province of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. In Surigao del Sur, there are 2,059 abaca farmers and 1,500 traders, and there are no processors in the area. At the same time, in Surigao del Norte, there are 553 abaca farmers identified and four abaca traders. On the other hand, there are 448 abaca farmers, 27 traders, and two processors in the province of Agusan del Sur, while there are 755 farmers, 31 traders, and three processors in Agusan del Norte. Table 1. Distribution of Abaca farmers and processors per municipality per province Number of Abaca Farmers Percent Share Agusan del Norte Rtr 117 3.06 Cabadbaran 86 2.27 Santiago 315 8.27 Kitcharao 144 3.77 Jabonga 23 0.60 Tubay 25 0.65 Nasipit 38 0.99 Las Nieves 7 0.18 Total 755 19.79% Agusan del Sur Sibagat 159 4.17 Prosperidad 156 4.09 Bayugan 24 0.62 Esperanza 41 1.08 Rosario 42 1.10 San Luiz 26 0.68 Total 448 11.74 Surigao del Norte Sison 115 3.01 Mainit 222 5.82 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 30 | Sagocsoc et al. Alegria 216 5.67 Total 553 14.50 Surigao del Sur Cortes 22 0.58 Lanuza 155 4.06 San Miguel 147 3.85 Tandag City 49 1.28 Tago 41 1.07 Carrascal 24 0.63 Barobo 16 0.42 Lingig 13 0.34 Tagline 399 10.47 Hinatuan 94 2.46 Bislig 708 18.56 San Agustin 233 6.11 Marihatag 158 4.14 Total 2,059 53.97 Overall total 3, 815 100 Number of Abaca Processors per province Percent Share (%) Agusan del Norte 2 50 Agusan del Sur 2 50 Surigao del Norte 0 0 Surigao del Sur 0 0 Total 4 100 Table 2. Socioeconomic profile of abaca farmers in the Caraga region Number of Respondents Percentage (%) Gender Male 765 60.90 Female 491 39.09 Total 1,256 100 Land Ownership Owned 1,251 99.60 Tenanted 5 0 .39 Total 1,256 100 Other sources of Income /other commodity Banana 500 39.81 Falcata 600 47.78 Coconut 78 6.21 Durian 16 1.27 Vegetables 17 1.35 Coffee 45 3.58 Total 1 , 256 100 Member of the organization Members 934 74.36 No t members 322 25.64 Total 1 , 256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 31 | Sagocsoc et al. As mentioned, most abaca farmers are members of different organizations (Table 3). These farmers had been in abaca production for quite a time. Being part of an organization is advantageous since it gives the farmers access to various forms of assistance from government or nongovernment agencies and will prioritize them, particularly in the availing of the different inputs, technical assistance, and market access. Table 3. Abaca Farmers’ Membership in Organizations Province Name of Organizat ion Total Number Percentage (%) Agusan del Norte San Antonio Integrated Farmers Multi - Purpose Cooperative (SAIFMULCO) 103 42.92 KooperatibasaKababayin - an saMahaba Para saKalambuan (KKMPK) 17 7.08 Bangayan Lake View Association (BLVA) 44 18.33 Doña Rosario Cloa Holders and Vegetable Association (DRCHVA) 25 10.42 San Isidro Upland Farmers Multi - Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) 51 21.25 Total 240 100 Agusan del Sur SFFARBICO 30 12.45 San Jose Abaca Farmers Association (SJAFA) 87 36.10 KDFA 19 7.88 Pandalisay Farmers Association (PFA) 41 17.01 Magkasa Farmers Association 19 7.88 BuenaswerteFarmers Association 2 0.82 B3 Cosef Farmers Association (BCFA) 12 4.98 CEAMCOPA 12 4.98 PAMANA 8 3.32 Farmers Association 11 4.56 Total 241 100 Surigao del Sur BACOCOPA 2 0.74 SIKAPCO 1 0.37 PCA 1 0.37 SUDAN 1 0.37 Manlico Multi - Purpose Cooperative (MMPC) 23 8.52 KAMAANAN 69 25.56 MAFAMCO 23 8.52 CFA 4 1.48 SUPA 1 0.37 PCA 1 0.37 BFA 26 9.63 BAFARCO 12 4.44 LICARCA 2 0.74 NAGMATA 2 0.74 KAPCO 82 30.37 San Pedro Farmers Association 20 7.41 Total 270 100 Surigao del Norte LOWERBECCA 85 46.45 BFFA 98 53.55 Total 183 100 Members 934 74.36 Non - Members 322 25.64 Source: From the Survey (2018). J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 32 | Sagocsoc et al. Abaca profile in Caraga region The total farm size of abaca areas in the region started to increase in 2016 from 10,437 to 10,482 hectares. The small area was due to the attack of pests and diseases. The abaca plants can grow well in areas with other commodities planted due to their shade-loving characteristics. As practiced in the Region region, Abaca is intercropped with other plants such as banana, falcate and coconut; hence, 647 plantlets can be planted along with the other plants in a 1-hectare area. Among the four provinces, Surigao del Sur has the most significant area; the smallest is in Surigao del Norte. Lately, new abaca farms are emerging in Bayugan 3 and Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, because they were encouraged to plant due to the financial assistance given to them by the DA -PhilFIDA, DAR, and MMPRC. Table 4. Area Planted to abaca in hectares (2013 – 2017) Province 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Agusan del Norte 1, 620 1, 630 1, 630 1, 635 1, 635 Agusan del Sur 3, 236 3, 236 3, 266 3, 266 3, 266 Surigao del Norte 81 81 81 81 81 Surigao del Sur 5, 000 5, 000 5, 000 5, 000 5, 000 Total 10, 437 10, 437 10, 437 10, 482 10, 482 Source: PSA 2018 In terms of total land area planted, the majority (362 or 28.82%) of abaca farmers own 1 hectare, some have 2 hectares (145 or 11.54%), and others have owned about 3 hectares (128 or 10.19%). These farm areas are not planted solely with Abaca but intercropped or shaded with falcata, coconut, bananas, and other crops. Table 5. Abaca farm areas Farm area (ha) Number of respondents Percentage (%) 0.25 103 8.20 0.50 109 8.68 0.75 30 2.39 1 362 28.82 1.25 6 0.50 1.50 58 4.62 1.75 22 1.75 2 145 11.54 2.25 49 3.90 2.50 24 1.91 2.75 18 1.43 3 128 10.19 3.50 7 0.56 4 50 3.98 5 76 6.05 6 20 1.59 7 8 0.64 8 3 0.24 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 33 | Sagocsoc et al. 9 1 0.10 10 23 1.83 12 4 0.32 13 1 0.10 14 1 0.10 15 6 0.50 20 1 0.10 27 1 0.10 Total 1,256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). The majority of farmers planted varieties is Inusa (775 or 40.79%), followed by Tanggongon (515 or 27.10%), Languise (281 or 14.78%), Laylay (204 or 10.73%), Libotone (69 or 3.63%) and wild varieties (56 or 2.95. Table 6. Varieties of Abaca planted Varieties of Abaca used Price of Seedling Number of respondents Percentage (%) Inusa 25.00 775 40.79 Tanggongon 25.00 515 27.10 Language 25.00 281 14.78 Layla 25.00 204 10.73 Libotone 25.00 69 3.63 Wild N/A 56 2.95 Total 1,900 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). Most farmers get the planting materials from the neighbor’s farm (800 or 63.69%). Others get from National Line Agencies like the Department of Agriculture and PhilFIDA (275 or 21.89%). Some farmers get tissue-cultured planting materials from the Academe, particularly at Caraga State University (70 or 5.57%) and Visayas State University (39 or 3.10%), while others were from Local Government Units (12 or 0.96%) and Cooperatives (60 or 4.78%). That is why, when their neighbors' farms were attacked with biotic stresses like pathogens and insect pests, their farm was also affected since they only had one source of planting materials. Table 7. Source of abaca planting materials Source of planting materials Number of respondents Percentage (%) Neighbor 800 63.69 National Line Agency (DA, PhilFIDA) 275 21.89 Caraga State University 70 5.57 Visayas State University 39 3.10 Local Government Unit 12 0.96 Cooperatives 60 4.78 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 34 | Sagocsoc et al. As to the mode of payment, only 181 or 14.41% of the farmers buy the planting materials from commercial seedling producers; the majority ask for planting materials from the neighbors (800 or 63.69%), others are granted (275 or 21.89%) by the different government or nongovernment institutions. Most abaca farmers need help buying planting materials from different commercial producers. Table 8. Mode of Payment of Planting Materials Mode of Payment Number of respondents Percentage (%) Not paying/Given by the neighbor 800 63.69 Grant 275 21.89 Cash 181 14.41 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018) Most farmers (956 or 76.11%) do not use fertilizers; only 300, or 23.89%, use fertilizers as part of their farming practices. The high prices of the different farm inputs hamper them in the use of fertilizers. Table 9. Use of Fertilizer Fertilizer application Number of respondents Percentage (%) Yes 300 23.89 No 956 76.11 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018) Most respondents harvested the abaca fiber 3-4 times every year (756 or 60.19%), while others harvested 1-2 times a year (500 or 39.81%). The reason why the harvesting frequency of harvesting in a year varies is due to the availability of the workforce and the sharing scheme arrangements between the owner and the harvester. In some cases, the harvester gets a higher income share than the owner. Table 10. Frequency of harvesting Frequency of harvesting Number of respondents Percentage (%) 1 - 2 times every year 500 39.81 3 - 4 times every year 756 60.19 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018) After cleaning the abaca fiber, most farmers (1108 or 88.21%) dumped their waste materials in the area, while others (148 or 11.78%) utilized it as organic fertilizers. This indicates a need to educate the farmers by telling them the value of the organic fertilizer that can be produced. Technology transfer may be introduced for possible enterprises. Table 11. Utilization of Waste materials Utilization of Waste materials Number of respondents Percentage (%) Dumped 1108 88.21 Used as organic materials 148 11.78 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 35 | Sagocsoc et al. The majority of the area can only be accessed by walking (500 or 39.81%), some by “habalhabal” motorcycle (445 or 36.26%), and by truck hauling (301 or 23.96%). This means that the farm's location is in hilly areas, mainly at the top of the mountains, as also characterized as a shade-loving plant that grew better intercropped with other commodities like falcata, banana, and coconut. Table 12. Accessibility of transportation for abaca production Accessibility of transportation Number of respondents Percentage (%) By foot 500 39.81 By “Habal - habal” 445 36.26 By hauling truck 301 23.96 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018) Most of the abaca farmers (55.73%) planted Abaca within 11-20 months, 27.87% planted Abaca within 21-30 years, 10.35% planted Abaca within 31-40 months, and 6.05% of the respondents planted Abaca in 41-50 months. Data revealed that most of the abaca farmers are new in the planting of Abaca due to the rehabilitation of the farms. It was known that most of their plants were attacked by diseases, so the plants were eliminated in the area to eradicate the disease. Table 13. Years in Abaca Production Number of years in abaca production Number of respondents Percentage (%) 11 - 20 700 55.73 21 - 30 350 27.87 31 - 40 130 10.35 41 - 50 76 6.05 Total 1256 100 Source: From the Survey (2018). Government support programs, policies, and regulations in the abaca industry in Caraga Region. Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA)-Provide technical assistance in the establishment of tissue culture laboratory and diagnostic center, seedling dispersal , techno-transfer trainings in abaca processing and utilization , GAP, Pest and disease management, product testing and consultancy services in farm management), Academe/Caraga State University (CSU)-Provide research and development, knowledge management, industry /commodity profiling, GAP, EIC, technical training, and industry forum, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Region -SSF, business conference and matching, product development, marketing and promotions, business/industry forum, industry profiling and consultancy services, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Develop through inter-cropping or support to productivity the CARP awarded lands which are suitable for Abaca production by capital credit provision in TUJAKITSAN cluster of ARB’s (TUJAKITSAN) is an acronym referring to the municipalities of Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago). The project has already conducted eighty (80) classes with 13 types of capability enhancement training to 21 farmer groups; provided 12 mobile abaca stripping machines, one unit 10-wheeler hauling truck, and provided planting materials and other farm inputs to 10 ARBOs covering 300 hectares.