Isabela City, Basilan – April 10, 2025 — In a significant step toward revitalizing Basilan’s rubber industry, the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT)-Basilan joined key partners in delivering a specialized training for rubber farmers at the Basilan Business Hotel in Isabela City. The training, under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ FAIR-VALUE project, focused on improving rubber quality for better market access.
MTIT-Basilan Provincial Director Argie Jumdani Sarco served as a resource person for Module 10 of the training series titled “Rubber Farming Solutions: Better Quality Production for Market Access.” His session, “Appreciating and Understanding Buyers’ Standards for Rubber to Maximize Farmers’ Gains,” highlighted the importance of aligning local production with industry benchmarks to boost income and competitiveness.
The initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the FAO, the Basilan Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the MTIT of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and the United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (United Workers ARB MPC).
“This training is timely and essential,” said Director Sarco. “By understanding buyers’ expectations and quality standards, our farmers can better position themselves in the market and increase the value of their harvest.”
The training is part of a broader goal to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of rubber farmers in Basilan, many of whom rely on rubber as a key source of livelihood. By improving farming practices and post-harvest handling, the program seeks to develop a more sustainable and profitable rubber sector.
The Importance of Rubber Production in Basilan
Rubber is one of Basilan’s most important agricultural commodities. The province’s climate and topography make it ideal for rubber cultivation, which supports thousands of farming families and contributes significantly to the local economy. However, challenges such as low market prices, poor-quality production, and lack of market linkage have hindered the sector’s full potential.
Efforts like the FAIR-VALUE project are vital in reversing these trends. By empowering farmers with technical knowledge and market orientation, Basilan is working to strengthen its rubber value chain — from production to processing to trade.
With continuous support from the government, development partners, and cooperatives, Basilan’s rubber industry has the potential to not only meet domestic demand but also explore export opportunities, helping drive inclusive growth in the region.
As the province embraces modernization in agriculture, the training marks a hopeful step forward — one where farmers are better equipped, better informed, and more confident in building a future that’s both green and economically sound.