DA Caraga strengthens Mamanwa farmers’ abaca production
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga recently conducted a technical training on harvest and post-harvest management for abaca production to the Mamanwa tribes in the municipalities of Gigaquit and Alegria, all in Surigao del Norte.
The experts from the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PhilFida) provided comprehensive discussions on abaca proper harvesting and stripping techniques, including drying and grading, storage and handling practices, among others to the members of the Tribong Mamanwa sa Kumunidad sa Tiltilan in Gigaquit and Sitio Tumay-as Mamanwa Organization and Kahugpungan sa Tribong Mamanwa sa Kumunidad sa Camp Edward in the town of Alegria, fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities for indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) and indigenous peoples (IPs).
Through DA’s program on Kabuhayan At Kaunlaran Ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K), each group received stripping machines to help them improve their abaca fiber quality and increase production capacity.
Calixtro, a member of the tribal group in Alegria, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the national government, especially DA for addressing their needs to improve their farm production, and increase their income. “By using these techniques, we can work more efficiently, reduce waste, and increase our income from abaca.”
DA Caraga expects that the training will reap positive results. expanding the beneficiaries’ market and creating sustainable livelihood for all the Mamanwa abaca farmers. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DA Caraga)
