Farmer training seen helping revive Samar abaca industry

FARMERS in Calbayog City are receiving training on modern abaca production techniques, fiber grading, and disease management, part of a program to revive the Samar abaca industry.

In a statement, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) said farmers are expected to emerge with skills in planting material management, disease identification and control, fiber extraction, and quality classification.

PhilFIDA said the training sessions will help boost the production of high-quality fiber and enhance market competitiveness, en route to reviving the island’s abaca industry.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that abaca production in Samar has declined over the past decade, dropping from 1,807 metric tons (MT) in 2010 to about 940 MT in 2024.

The province’s share of national abaca production  also declined from 2.72% in 2010 to 1.45% in 2024.

Last week, participants attended a two-day training session organized by the government of Calbayog, with resource support from PhilFIDA.

The program included hands-on field activities, such as disease identification and a visit to the city’s regular abaca nursery in Barangay Gabay.

“PhilFIDA remains committed to empowering abaca farmers through continuous skills development and technology transfer,” it said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel