A portable abaca stripping machine capable of producing high-grade, more expensive fiber will be distributed to abaca farmers in Catanduanes this year, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) disclosed last week.
During the press conference conducted after the opening of the 2024 Bicol Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTIW) back to back with AbacaNobasyon at the Catanduanes State University, Secretary Renato Solidum said the development of the abaca stripping machine is proof of the department’s whole-of-government approach and its observance of the principle of inclusivity.
The machine was developed by the DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) intended to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting technology and innovations to enhance operational efficiency, boost productivity, and promote competitiveness of products and services.
The program focuses assistance on several priority sectors, including metals and engineering including equipment design and fabrication.
Solidum said the machine was deployed in abaca-producing communities which saw that it could still be improved.
“Now we have a stripping machine that is more appropriate, thanks to the sharing of ideas and creativity,” he added.
Director Julius Leaño Jr. of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute remarked that the engagement of the department on the ground is good and noted that the 54,000 metric tons of fiber produced by the country annually also leaves behind some 270,000 metric tons of abaca waste which can still be used as raw material for several applications although not of the same high value.
“Our dream is to raise the abaca farmers’ income by helping them extract high grade fiber instead of the existing low-grade harvest,” he added.
DOST Catanduanes Director Marie Grace Molina said the portable stripping machine, which is easier to operate, can strip about four kilos of high-grade fiber daily that can be sold for as much as P150 per kilo.
The farmer’s income is higher compared to a harvest of low-grade but cheap fiber, she added, with the machine will be deployed to local “abacaleros” soon to increase the quality of fiber harvested.
It is very hard to convince them to change their minds on manual stripping but it can be done if they see that it is easier to operate the new machine and that it will be more profitable for them, PD Molina stressed.
She bared that the machine was brought to the field last year and used by selected abaca farmers who was impressed by its performance that they asked where they could get one.
Last year’s drop in the price of low-quality fiber, she added, was favorable to DOST as they were able to show that the machine can produce whiter and finer fiber that will command a higher price in the market.
On the other hand, Dr. Abelisa Evangelista of CatSU’s Abaca Technology Innovation Center (ATIC) shared that aside from the abaca wine that came out of its product development of abaca waste, the center is also collaborating with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) in the Abaca Disease Management Program and with the Catanduanes Abaca Industry Development Council (CAIDC) for the branding of abaca fiber from the island.
“These are just some of the pieces in the 2022 Abaca Industry Road Map,” Sec. Solidum stated, with DOST working with local government units in introducing science and technology to the communities.
For his part, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang said that the road map seeks to find the value chain, who is responsible and where to position future projects.
There is a need to strengthen ATIC in partnership with PTRI, find solutions for other products and expand the reach of such products beyond the limited local market.
The proposed KIST Park and Economic Zone in CatSU, PD Molina said, could host an abaca tissue culture laboratory, an abaca biotech lab to develop vaccines against abaca diseases, and an abaca regional yarn center or fiber processing facility.
Two technology staff will be deployed to Catanduanes by DOST to look at farm engagement and product development, especially with regards to pulp and paper as well as textile, PTRI Dir. Leaño announced.
“This is just a matter of synergizing efforts at the ground beginning with the improvement of fiber harvest for higher value application,” he said.
On the use of abaca fiber in government uniforms, he commented that it would be difficult at first due to the lack of fine fiber on account of an unreliable supply chain.
However, Leaño pointed out the fact that abaca fiber is the best suitable partner for cotton due to their similar size and all that must be done is to improve the quality of fiber and consider other applications.