Peace 911 distributes abaca plantlets

The City Government of Davao, through its Peace 911 program and the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO), distributed abaca plantlets to farmers in Paquibato District.

Early this year, abaca farmers in Paquibato, most of whom are members of indigenous groups, suffered significant financial losses when buyers suspended sourcing abaca from the district due to the poor quality of abaca fibres produced.

The poor yield was traced to the prevalence of the substandard Daratex abaca variant in Paquibato and in Talaingod.

The initiative, under the CAgrO’s Productivity Enhancement for Abaca Commodity Enterprise (PEACE) program, is aimed at strengthening the district’s production of high-quality fibres and eradicate the Daratex abaca variant in the area. The program also aims to establish nurseries that will cultivate and supply recommended abaca varieties (e.g. Tanggongon) to farmers.

From November 24-30, a total of 7,000 abaca plantlets were distributed to 71 farmers affected by the suspension of abaca trade. A total of 2,000 abaca plantlets were turned over to 15 abaca farmers in Tapak Proper, while 5,000 plantlets were distributed to 56 farmers in Sitio Mangani.

The Peace 911 intends to deliver and distribute more abaca plantlets in the coming weeks.

To further bolster support to abaca farmers, the Peace 911 and CAgrO had established two on-site abaca nurseries in Barangay Tapak. More abaca nurseries are being built.

These nurseries, according to Peace 911, will “help the affected abaca farmers obtain true and native abaca plantlets or seedlings” which they can use to produce high-quality abaca fibres.

Peace 911 focal person lawyer Jonah Presto said the program is crucial in helping abaca farmers in Paquibato recover their losses and rejuvenate the abaca industry in the district.

As a significant number of indigenous people in Paquibato rely on abaca trade as their main source of livelihood, Presto said securing the trade is vital in the economy of Paquibato. She also said the age-old traditions of abaca farming must be preserved in honour of the city’s native people and their heritage.

“Many of our indigenous people in Paquibato rely on abaca farming to sustain their family. Other than this, the production of abaca fibres are ingrained in the traditions of our IP farmers. This is an ancient trade that we must support and develop, ensuring that it will thrive for generations to come,” she said. CIO