DAVAO CITY — Indigenous Peoples (IP) farmers from Caraga Region are poised to enhance their role in the country’s abaca industry following a four-day benchmarking activity organized by the Department of Agriculture–Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (DA-MIADP) from July 1 to 4, 2025.
Leaders and members of the Mamanwa and Manobo communities, representing CADT 256 of RTR, Agusan del Norte, and CADT 116 of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, visited key institutions and industry players in the abaca value chain. The initiative, conducted in coordination with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (DA-PhilFIDA), aimed to empower Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) through direct exposure to enterprise development strategies and sustainable agricultural practices.
The group toured major consolidators and exporters, including Ching Bee Trading Corp., LPP Trading Corp., Lomondao Marilog Abaca Marketing Cooperative, and Fibers Trading Inc. (FTI), where they learned first-hand about standards in abaca production, quality control, post-harvest processing, and market consolidation.
“This activity helps our farmers understand what the market requires. More importantly, it allows them to envision their role not just as producers but as stakeholders in the larger enterprise value chain,” said Edelmira Luminarias, Chief of the DA-Caraga Research Division and MIADP Business Development Officer.
The IP delegation included tribal leaders and officers such as Dakula Rogen Ago of CADT 256, Hawudon Subang Arnold Acevedo of CADT 116, and members of Kabulusan sa Mamanwa Indigenous Peoples Organization (KAMAIPO) and San Miguel Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities (SAMMICC). Also present were Joel Alcoser, Head of PhilFIDA Davao Regulatory Unit, and Michael Tawede, MIADP Focal for the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga.
The benchmarking visit is part of MIADP’s broader goal of promoting inclusive development among IP communities by linking them with agribusiness opportunities and institutional support. By providing access to real-world industry insights, the project supports the transformation of ancestral domain-based farming into sustainable and profitable enterprises.
The Philippines remains the top global supplier of abaca—also known as Manila hemp—accounting for over 90% of the world’s demand. Abaca is a key raw material in specialty papers, textiles, ropes, handicrafts, and even banknotes. With international interest in natural fibers on the rise, the participation of Indigenous farmers in this sector offers a promising pathway for cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.