The Philippines is updating its strategic plan for abaca production and aims to finalize the draft Abaca Industry Roadmap 2026–2030 by the end of 2025, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) said.
During a meeting on Nov. 11, the PCAF National Sector Committee on Fiber Crops reported that industry stakeholders have been revising the draft roadmap since October to identify implementation gaps, challenges and field-level issues and develop strategies to strengthen the abaca value chain, following consultations held in July.
The roadmap is part of the government’s effort to enhance the country’s global competitiveness in abaca production, targeting increased output, improved fiber quality and a more resilient industry.
The Philippines produces about 86 percent of the world’s abaca fiber, a natural resource used in paper, cordage, textiles and handicrafts, and despite its global dominance, the industry faces persistent challenges in traditional farming methods, limited access to modern technology, inadequate disease management and insufficient research and development.
Production declined to about 46,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023 and 45,000 MT in 2024, down from a range of 61,000 to 76,000 MT from 2015 to 2022.
Factors behind the decline include a shift by farmers to copra production amid rising copra prices, election-related aid distributed before midterm elections and typhoons impacting production, as well as recurring diseases.
“Strengthening the fiber industry contributes to rural employment, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience, supporting broader agriculture and fisheries objectives,” PCAF said.
At the same meeting, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) updated stakeholders on cotton, salago, sisal and piña, proposing plans to expand and rehabilitate crop areas, promote mechanization, enhance research and innovation, improve market linkages and strengthen collaboration with government, academe and private sector partners.
