POSTPRODUCTION PRACTICES AND MARKETING OF ABACA IN NORTH COTABATO, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The Philippines is one of the two countries commercially producing Manila hemp or the fiber from abaca (Musa textilis Nee) which is indigenous in the country. The abaca fiber or known as Manila hemp worldwide is highly demanded not only domestically but internationally. As a major producer of abaca fiber in the world, we need to meet the demand by increasing its supply and improving its quality. Thus, a baseline information on its production and postproduction is vital to understand the current practices of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) who are producing the product. A focus group discussion, key informant interviews and surveys were conducted in North Cotabato to gather data on the farmer, trader and processor levels. Data were processed into descriptive analysis and cost and return. Research results showed that majority of the farmers utilized family labor in the production however, postproduction practices such as harvesting, tuxying, hand stripping, sundrying and bundling activities were entered into a sharing agreement. Postproduction activities were done manually and took them one month to finish a hectare of abaca plantation. Generally, abaca fiber outputs were in low quality thus, farmers received low price and consequently low income so women in the community were engaged into value adding activities to augment their family income.