philippine fiber journal
TRANSCRIPT
COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF 1977 AND 1976
FIBER TRADE PERFORMANCE
B.
Abaca
TotalF.E
L.C.
H.S.
S.S.
Top five district of production1. Jolo l2l 59,536
2. Davao (1) 52,8323. Albay (8) 50,394
4. Sorsogon (4) 41,647
5. Leyte (5) 38,422Top five grades (FG)
1. c (1) 83,679
2. S2 (3) 49,337
3. I (51 45,917
4. JK l2l 36,393
5. Y2 (4) 28,330Top five grades (LC)
1. Y2 (1) 32,3772. G (5) 15,847
3. 52 (3) 15,151
4. JK l2l 1 1,815
5. T (4) 7,286
Other Fibers
1977
417,337310,833106,504316.870100,467
1976402,553359,476
'
43,O77
N4,794'97,759
58,98559,16319,531
42,65641,432
100,20543,87238,87350,54639,432
9,8484,3906,611
8,0265,422
15,2263,945
11 280
11,78511J85
7,649692
6,957
CHANGET''14,784 :,'."'
(zt$,${J}'' : '- '
63,427 " -
12,076 , "''2,708 :'
551( 6,331) ' '
30,863(1,009)(3,010)
(16,526)
5,4657,O44
(14,153)(11,102)
22,52911,457'8,540 :
3,7891,864
{4,043)860
(5,839)
(9,912)
{9,912)
(1,231)
(539)
(200)(200)
%
CHANGE!: 4vo
(14v,1
' 147Yo
4%
3Yo
1%
(11%l
158"h
l2xl(7%l
(16x)12oa
18%
Q8'/"1(.28%l
l
228v"
260'/.129o/o
47y"
34v,
a. Ramie
TotalF.C.
L.C. DecorticatedFermented
b. CoirTotalF.C.
L.C.c. Canton ;
TotalF.C.L.C.
d. Buntal
TotalF.C.L.C.
e. KapokToal
''-' i 1."
11,182-4;805
5,M1936
1,8731,8:3
6,418
6,418
127%l
22o/o
(52v"1
(84v"1
(84v")
(16%)
(8v")
rc7%lrc7v"|
300300
100
'T
:.1:.
':''::: ":
:i:,i'
d.' ..,.:Deco
. TotalF.C.
L.C.
MSP
Total
F.C.
L.C.
CabtonTotalF.C.
L.C.
MFW
TotalL.C.
4
4
416
416
1,459
r,+ia
137
137
6262
e.
Total 739
739
757
757
248248
(323) .l44v"l
(323) (44v"1
7O1 93yo
7O1 93o/"
f. Canton
h, RSA
TotalF.C.
B. BUNDLES
1. Abaca (at 62.5 kgs.)
TotalH.S.
S.S.
(at 125 kgs.)
2. Other Fibers
a. Ramie
TotalF.C.
L.C.
b. CoirTotalF.C.
- L.C.
6,3993,5202,879
294
659473186
5,740 971y,3,047 644o/o
2,693 1,449y,
69
69
16
16
Number in parenthesis after each province/country/exporter/ grade indicatesposition in 1976
H.S.
S.S.
F,C.-L.C.
( ) -.'-.t'.
Hand-strippedSpind le-stri pped
For Foreign ConsumptionFor Local Consumption
fo ReportVC
Hand-stripped
i1&ini
, ,, i;:t i:,a
Abaca Ouality Control
by Diosdado J. Fernandez
Originally, abaca classification starts in the grading establishment when the bundlesof abaca or "bastas" are opened by sorters or cleaners.
,
The sorters sepaiate the fiber according to strerigth, size of strands or cleaning, and color.The degree of cleaning ranges from excellent, through good, fair, coarse to wid! strips. Thecolors vary from almost white to ivory white, light ochre with some streaks of light to darkbrown or purple, and dull brown to dingy light yellow
The sorted parcels are tied into hanks of not more than 10 centimeters in diameter at thebutt and piled according to grade.
At this point, cutting of the tips is done for those grades where tipping is necessary as togra_des AD, Ef, l, Jk, L, the dark tips of 52 or the widelips of 53, C, U, ani nnt.
Proper cutting of tips is easier done when the fibers are hung on a bamboo pole or roperather than when they are laid on the f loor as this method e*poies tips clearly and cuttingcan be done without bonding.
As soon as the fibers are free of the undesired tips, the classifier qrades each hank offiber. Where in his opinion there are parts of the hank that belong to ot'her giuo.i, these areseparated and graded accordingly.
The classifier, who is licensed by the BFDIS to practice his trade is well versed in theintricacies of grading such as the hand test to determine tensile strength, texture to deter-mine cleaning and visual appreciation to determine color.
Throughout the various operations in grading, twisted strands are unravelled. Strandswhich are knotted, usually at the butt or middle-portion, are removed, because such knotsare a common cause of breakage in the combing teeth of the cordage machinery.
BFIS Inspectors checking the.quality of abaca fibers
13
The favorable economic climate for abaca production is attracting many investors to theonce declining industry. The following is a primer for prospective inv6stors.'
1. How profitable is an abaca enterprise and how much investment is needed?'Assuming that there is no intercropping, no income can be expected from an abaca farm
during the first and second years of planting (Tables 1 &21. During this peiriod, the directcosts incurred in a hectare of abaca plantation is about P4,100 to pq,qOO/ year and theannual gross income may be from zero to p?,600/ha.,
. ln the third year_of operation, only extremely favorable prices of abaca fiber would giveincome to a farmer. Expenses run to about P4,30d and the gross income may be from p ,iOOto P5,200.
- 91-tlq fgurth yegT ol operation, profit may be expected with the highest gros incomeof P10,400 (at p5.00/kg). against an annual expense oi p4,2OO.
One can realize even more profits in manuiacturing or processing. The potentials are inpulp and paper, carpets, fibercrafts, and cordage
2. Ne there some special features in abaca production?There are several:a) Ease of establishment and management. Abaca can gain foothold in an area quickly.
ln a year's time, a plant can produce from four to eight follower suckers; in 18 monthsthe crop is ready for the first harvest.
Abaca is rather easy to manage compared to staple crops. However, it should not beregarded as a lazy man's crop because it requires regular attention. Maintainance and harvestoperations are not governed by critical seasonal schedules.
b) Non selective in growing sites. While it is best to plant abaca on plains, it is alsomanageable in rough terrains. ln fact it thrives well along creeks, on mountain slopes andand at altitudes of 1,500 feet above sea level. lt can even grow under coconut palms andother tall and slender trees. lt can also become establishJd in cogonal lands where it canoutgrow cogon into extinction.
. c) Adaptability' Abaca is a native of the Philippines and grown best only in this country.It thrives well on mountain-sides where soil water is a-f,lenty and weli-drained. lt alsothrives on many other areas where rainfall is uniformly distributed throughout the year.
d) Perenniality. Once an abaca plantation is established, it is simpl/maintained for thenext twenty years or so. The plant can maintain production for such long period until itbecomes "floating" or not well anchored. ltcontinuosly producessuckersirhi.r' replenishthe harvested stalks.
. t) f9ry development costs. Planting materials cost only from five to twenty centavos andto as high as P15.00 each. Moreover, abaca outgrows and inhibits weeds wiinin two yearsfrom planting.
f) .Faster payback period among perennials. All investments in an establishment can bepaid back within three to four years in a plantation with a well-implemented developmentprogram. Within the second year of development, the plantation can realize some incomewhich will increase in the nextfour years..,. 9) Low maintenance inputs. The cost of maintainanoe covers minimal weed control, somefertilization, roguing of d'iseased plants and replanting. A larger portion of this will be for',o1,"T,'ng, stripping and fiber storage.n' heslstant to rats, bats, and pest infestations. Abaca stalks are rather tough for most ofthese. pests' Even corn weevils are not known to abound in abaca plantations. Only,aphids are to be beware of.
i) Fast recovery from damages. lt takes only about one to two years for abaca plants torecover from damage by typh,-oons; it takes ,bout the same time for replants io ue productive.
17
Direct costs of Production of One-hectare Abaca Plantationl(10 yr of Operation; as of August 1976).
Ouan-tity
Man-Days
,11
1
1
1
1. Land Clearing and cleaning2. Preparation of stakes3. Lining and staking4. Cost of stakes5. Digging of holes6. Hauling of seedpices/seedlings7, Cost of seedpieces/seedlings8. Cost of replants (10%)9. Distribution of seedpieces0. Planting and replanting1. Planting of cover trees2. Cost of cover trees3. Fertilization4. Cost of Fertilizers3
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
15. Care of seedlingsa. ring weeding and under brushing
(4 x a year)b. pest and disease control
16. Cost of pesticides, assorted17. Contingencies (10%)
SECOND YEAR1. Underbrushing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheaths (4 x a year)2. Application of fertilizers3. Pest and disease control4. Cost of fertilizers
a. Ammonium strlfateb. muriate of potash
2,000 pcs
2,000 pcs200 pcs
1 20 pcs
Total for First Year -
14024
30
:
310
5
3
Price(P/Unit)
0.05 ,
o.250.25
0.50
84.0070.00
93.0077.0O
Value(P)
1,120.0016,0032.0050.00
240.OO24.OO
500.0050.0024.O080.0040.0060.0024.OO
321.00280.00
560.0056.00
4,013.00401.30
4,414.30
4 bags4 bags
707
70
167
560.00
44
128.0056.00
372.OO308.00
768565126
10
Total for Second year
200.00
608.00680.00650.00
96.0048.0080.00
378.00
4,164.96
560.00
128.00
70
16
4. Other Uses;a. sack manufacturingb. manufacture of construction materials like roofing, tiles, floor tiles,
blocks, and boards with fiber base mixture.Abaca is also used in reinforcing concrete and asphalt.Highly purified cellulose from abaca can be used as base in preparation ofpharmaceutical products.Abaca has been transformed into non-woven fabrics and disposable materialslike diapers, washable napkins, hospital be-drr'etr, underpads and towels.
IV. REFERENCES:
1. The Philippine Recommends for Abaca, 1977, PCARR, College, Laguna.2. Primer on Abaca Production and Culture, Department of Agriculture, AbacaProduction and Development Program; Diliman, Ouezon City.
3. Special Use Bulletin, Published by BAEcon.4. The Philippine Abaca lndustry by Epifanio Va. Gaminde, Sr.
Ilollow blocks with abaca fiber as one of the components.
c.d.
-e.
33
The Abaca Trade' an overview
By: ARGADIO D. SARMIENTO
l. lnternational DevelopmentsI
Cognizant of the importance of commodity trading among nations, the internationalcommunity, throuEh the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, has alreadypassed Resotution 93 (lV) entitled lntlgrated Programme for Commodities which callsforthe adoption of international measures Cesigned, among others, to improve the terms oftraCe of developing countries, eliminate economic imbalance between developing anddevel oped countries a nd stabi li ze i nternati ona I commodity tracii ng.
Pursuant to Resolution 93 (lV), the Committee on Hard Fibers has held three pr*paratory meetings in Geneva which discussed the positions of the members of the inter-national community on the recommended measures to stabilize the trading of hard fibers.It is envisaged that the measures, once adopted and implemented, will solve many of theproblems-which are now confronting the producing countries like the Philippines.
The opening of trade relations with socialist and centrally-planned economy countrieshas brought about the trial shipments of abaca to these countris. The adoption of theGeneral System of Preference, a scheme which grants tax deductions or allorrys the freeentry of selected finished products processed in developing countries, encourages thedomestic procesing of raw fibers. The scheme, therefore, has boosted the mmpetitivenessof locally-produced fiber-based products in the international market.
At present, only Ecuador poses a threat to Philippine abaca in the international market.From 2,800 hectares opened in 1964, Ecuador's abaca hectarage has expanded 1o19,000.It now accounts for about 15't of world abaca export and 1OSa of world supply.
The list decade has witnesed the rapid deterioration of the export position of Philippine abaca. lt reached a point where experts were already referring to the abaca industry as
the moribund industry. Everybody keeping track of the'abaca trade knew that it was
caused by the inroads of synthetics in rope manufacturing. :.By.the start of the present decade, however, the seemingly unstoppable decline in
our abaca export was halted and a new hope was kindled. The developments in pulp andpaper-making technology have found a vvay out for the country's abaca and it is nowgradually easing out of the dilemma which confronted it for quite a time.
ll. Local Developments
The excellent performance of the fibercraft iniustries in the local and foreign marketshas brought about the increased absorption of aliaca fiber. ln the Bicol region alone, thevolume absorbed by the fibercraft sector is placed at 307o of the total production in the area.
With the proposed Philippine Shippers Inc., a prinately-owned shipping line, it is
envisioned that the freight cost of our exports, abaca, ramie and coir included, shall begreatly diminished or maintained at comparatively lovver rates. This shall bring about an
improvement in the competitivenes of our fiber export.The creation of the Abaca lndustry Development Authority (AIDA in October of 1977
shall bring about the much-needed programs and assistance that the abaca industry has
awaited for so !ong. U;tlike befgre, when there were so many agencies undertaking abaca-. ,- t: , tti'=
rI
related activities, the AIDA shall be the sole agency responsible for the development of theindustry. The fragmented developmental efforts before shall now be concerted to effect agreater impact to boost the development of the industry.
The growing importance of abaca in pulp and paper procesing has induced a numberof foreign investors to establish tie-upc with local entrepreneurs and venture into theproduction of abaca-based pulp and paper.
lll. Direction of the Fiber Trade
Prior to the development of synthetic fibers, abaca was primarily used for rope andcord-making. Today, however, approximately 857" of the total world export of abacais absorbed by pulp and paper mills. With the increasing demand for both dispgsable anddurable paper-based products, it is foreseen that the demand for natural fibers shall continueto rise. Hovvever, the substitution of one natural fiber by another remains as one of thedetermining factors in the trading performance of natural fibers.
With the change in the pattern of utilization of abaca fiber, there has also been a
corresponding change in the percentage share by grade of our abaca export, especially in thecontribution of the higher grades.
ln the period 1959-1964, the per cent share of the top seven grades to total abaca
export was only 86.36%. ln the period 1971-1977 , the share of the top seven has increased
to 91.98%. ln the first half of 1977 , the U.S. averaged a monthly import of 11,778 bales.
ln July of the same year, U.S. import totalled only 3,075 bales. This was primarily due tothe significant withdrawal of Dexter Corporation, the largest consumer of abaca fiber, fromthe Philippines - an offshoot of its contract renewal with Ecuador.
The significant share of the top three abaca-importing countries in our export is apoint to consider in preparing the abaca export strategies of the country. Insofar as theUnited States is concerned, the tie-up of its end-users with Ecuador producers should betaken into account. Moreover, the advantages of Ecuador due to its proximity to theUnited States should also be weighed.
ln view of the nature of the utilization of abaca in the international market, thepromotion activities should be focused on developed countries which possess the techno-logy required in the transformation of abaca fiber to pulp and paper articles. This does notmean, however, that export promotion€ctivities to developing countries should not beconsidered.
F.C.
L.C.
MSP
TotalF.C.
L.C.
MFW
TotalF.C. .
L.C.
RSATotalF.C.
L.C.
f.5,073
.335,040
4,534219
4,315
539(186)
725
12yo
(85r)17Yo
299
292
1,094
571,037
{795) , :
(738)
173v"l
{.71"/"1
292292
II.BUNDLING (L.C.}
Abaca
Total (at 62.5 kgs.)
H.S.
s.s.
Toal (at 125 kgs.)
H.S.
s.s.
197772,29334,18538,108
1976
16,517
6,20910,309
-
CHANGE T"CHANGE
55,77622,976
338y"
451y"
5,0935,093
27,gOO 270%
Top five grades at 62.5 kgs.
1. c2.r3. 524.H5. JK
(1)(3)(5)(4)(21
17,23911,2099,5338,6098,331
5,5662,0951,5271,6732,614
11,6739,1 13
8,0066,9365,717
:
-
210Y"
435%
524y,
41 5%
219Y,
Top five grades at 125 kgs.
1. Y22. 523. WS
4. JK5.G
Other: Fibers1. Ramie2. .Canton (at 62.b kgs.)
(at 125 kgs.)3. Coir (at 50 kgs.)
(at 150 kgs.)(at 62.5 kgs.)
4. Maguey
4,@9427
270195
95
- .'-l 1,
i;= 53;
:
1,616
10,gg6298334
1,562758
973,525 1,909 118%
-l-o
'.t,
A. Bales
1. Abaca
. : Total. H.S.
S.S.
Top five grades
1. G(4)2. Y2 (31
3. 52 (2)4. JK5. T (5)
2. Other Fiber
a. Ramie(Decorticated)Ramie (Fermented)
b. tt/tsPc. Cantond. Coire. MFW
B. BUNDLES1. Abaca
ToulH.S.S.S.
Top five grades
1. G (t)2. t l2l3. S2(4)4. (H (5)5. 53 (6)
2. Other fibersa. Ramie" b. Magueyc. Coir
IV. EXPORT
A. ABACA 1977
Total 302,651Value $16,970,432.43
Top five grades
1. G (1) 79,5372. 52 (3) 46,5M3. 1 (4I 42,6564. JK (21 38,809
B. OTHER FIBERS
. .. . .._Totat 4,369i,Value $ 456,960.21
1977 1976
u,617 55,905n,982 36,14114,635 n
19,764
7,848 7,1967,485 7,7686,281 10,4425,668 10,5575,202 5,251
4,987 10,309243
2,052 682103 10
1,331 190I
CHANGE % CHANGE
(11,288),-r (20%)( 6.159) ': 117%l( 5,129). , l26',al
652 - 9Yo
( (283)- l4't'l(4,161) (40%)(4,889)'. (46%)
(49-) r,.. (1x)
$,3221 l52v'l
1,370 201%93 93%
1 ,141 601X
46,650 .. 533%16,946 556%29,704 521x
10,947 503%a9,687 716%
7 ,367 631x5,926 559%4,356 1266y,
/_
2:341 1338%
CHANGE %CHANGE(4,643) " I Zy,l
$3,437,908.50 117'/.1
(15,002) (167")(8,030) 121%l5,585 15%
( 4,834 - (11%)( 261) 1%
.'
(1,640) . (27v"1($ 214,865.33I" Bz%l
55,398 8,74819,996 3,05035,402 5,698
13,122 2,17511,039 (1,3528,535 1 ,1686,986 1,0604,7W y4
9,1822,516 175
244
1 976
307,294$20,408,340.93
94,53938,514
,:f 37,O7143,64327,O10
6,008$ 671,725.54
2. CoirTotalValue
3. BuntalTotalValue
4. RSA-XTotalValue
5. KapokTotalValue
6. MSP
TotalValue
FIBERSTOCK
A. BALES
1. Abaca
TotalF.C.
L.C.
H.S.
S.S.
2. Other Fibera. Ramie
TotalF.C.
L.C.
b. 'Sabahon z
I otalF.C.
L.C.
c. CoirTotalF.C.
L.C.
2966,690.30
10017,500.00
1846,046
9605,799.18
5,329170,613.70
20035,000.00
:
442,530.00
319,97521,288,210.17
197663,04053,5589,482
47,48615,554
760570190
1,558
1,558
(5,033) l94xl($ 163,923.40) (96"u")
(100) (50%)
$ 17,boo.oo (boe6 )
(10,316) l3.u"l$3,824,882.05 (18e6)
(2,1771 ( 2Y"l9,539 16o/"
1,917 3%9,279 4Yo
CHANGE. % CHANGE( 2,7991 ( 4nl(10,019) (19%)
7,220 76y"( 7,8451 {.17%l
5,046 32y"
(835) (54e,").
(835) (54?6)
EXPORT GRAND TOTALVolume 308,559Value 17,463,328.12
TOP THREE DESTINATIONS (Abaca)
1. U.S.A. 116,211 1 1g,3gg2. U.K.(21 70,830 61,2913. Japan (3) 60,682 b8,76SSub-Total 247,723 238,444
V.
1977
60,24143,53916,70239,641
20,600
12
12
723
723
5 0.7%
157 28y"(152) (80e5)
765727
38
12
12
The Abaca Maxi-Mix
By SALVADOR A. TAPAWAN
production rigidities are constraints that render production either inflexible or limited.
These exist in all production processes or methods. Thus, experts try to allocate resources
in such a way that the benefits from production are maximized, given the constraints.
ln abaca fiber production, there is one rigidity that limits the quantity of each grade offibers produced. This is based on the limited quantity of fibers that can be produced from a
stalk of abaca. Howveer, this rigidity can be manipulated to maximize the income of pro-
ducers and possibly stabilize the supply of and demand for the different grades of abaca
f iber.ln essence, this discussion hinges on a basic fact which producers are very much aware of.
The point, however, is that they do not quite grasp the value of realizingand utilizingthisbasic fa,ct.
From every stalk of abaca, one can extract a definite quantity of fibers. This quantitywould vary depending on the cleaning of the fibers. Coarse fibers are heavier because thereis more pulp attached to them. Excellent fibers are lighter because they are pure fiber withlittle or no pulp attached to them.
Under this condition, therefore, assume that one can extract 5 kgs. of coarse f ibers froman abaca stalk or 4.5 kgs. of fair fibers or 4.0 kgs. of good fibers or 3.5 kgs. of excellentfibers. (ln realith though, the recovery of primary fiber ranges from .89"2 to 1.5"2 of theweight of a pressed stalk. The exaggerated quantities used here are for purposes of facilita-ting the discussion. These do not affect the essential points being emphasized.) Table Abelow shows this production schedule.
TYPE OF CLEANING
T,ABLE AAssumed Output Per Stalk Using One Knife For Each Combination
TYPE OFCLEANING A B C
Excellent 3.5 0 0Gcrod C 4 0Fair 0 0 4.5Goarse O 0 0
D
0o05
TYPE OF KNIFE
no serration24 serrations/inch
. 1 7 serrations/inch1 4 serrations/inch
TOTAL 3.5 4 4.5 5
' These production combinations show that the producer used just one of any of the four',. knives in each combination. This means, for combination A, he use-d only h knife with no
:. .serration and produced only excellent fibers from the whole stalk. ln combination B, he
,:,: used only a knife with 24 serrations per inch and produced only good fibers from the whole
' ., stalk. And so on . . .
i,ll , However, the producer can vary his combination in such a way that for every stalk of,,, abaca, hecan produces ibers of different cleanings. He can do this by using the four diffeient
-,. knives in extracting the fiber from the single stalk of abaca. Thus, his production combina-:';* tions would appear-something like the comibnations given in Table B'eiii,., lt should be made clear that the producer can have other combinations wity varying..,1,. in Auantities for each cleaning. The point, however, is that from one abaca stalk, the totaljrri:',:.-,:],cannot exeecd the assumed 5 kgs. He can onlygetthemaximum 5 kgs. if he producesonly,i,,j::t,, 'c.qarse fibers (heavier because of more pulp content). Thus, it can be observed that the total-': ; of any combination in Table B is different from that of Table A because the producer
-r-:l;
TABLE BAssume output Per stalk using Different Knives in Each combination
I
used different knives in each combination and produced fibers of different cleanings.Given the combinations presented in Table B and the average price for each cleining, it is
now possible to determine which combination will yield the hiihest income to the producer.This.is done by simply multiplying the average price by the quintity of fibers in each corres-ponding cleaning. The result of this process is Table C.'
Table C shows that combination A would give the producer the highest income amongthe four combinations presented in Table B.
TYPE OFCLEANf NG AExcellent 1.75Good 2.00Fair 0Coarse 0
TOTAL 3.75
TYPE OF AVERAGECLEANING PRICE
Excellent P2.97lkgGood 2.69lkgFair 1.69/kgCoarse 1.50/kg
TOTAL
TYPE OF AVERAGECLEANING PRICE
Excellent 2.97Good 2.69Fair 1.69Coarse_ 1.b0
TOTAL
BC0o022.25 2.252.5 0
AP5.1975
5.3800
P10.5775
D TYPE OF KNIFE
.875 no serraiion1 24 serrations/inch1J25 1 7 serrations/inch1 .25 14 serrations/inch
4.254.75 4.25
TABLE Clncome Schedule Based on Combinations in Table B
B
003.80253.75
P7.5525
c05.383.80251.875
P9.1825 P9.065
D
2.598752.691 .90125
only one cleaninghighest income ifgive him Pl0.76
D
0.007.50
P7.50
Assume that the producer wants to produce fibers of one cleaning only from the wholestalk - this means as presented in Ta'ble A. Multiply the figures given in Table A by theaverage pricesgiven in Table C to determine which will give thJ prodicer the highest income.The result is the schedule presented below in Table B.
- This clearly shows that if the producer decides to produce fibers offrom the abaca stalk, and given the prices in Table D, he would get thehe produces only good fibers (combination B of Table A). This wouldworth of fibers from the whole stalk.
TABLE Dlneome Schedule Based On The Combinations in Table A
A10.395000
P10.395
B
010.7600
P10.76
c007.6050
P7.605
The.preceding discussions have shown how a producer can maximize his income given theprwailing prices and a knowledge on how to produce the differ'ent cleanings. --
I 'i The following discussion srri'iiJ".i no* on how the production rigidity has affected thesupply of and dqmand for the Jitt.i.nt grades of f ibers and consequ.nlly their prices.The production rigiclity. rimits the luanitty of fibers produced from an abaca stalk. Froma stalk, one can produce iitt.i."iglies of fibers. lt follows, therefore, that the production
of one grade inversefv atteclf $",pioou.tion of another grade if these two grades come from
:r::T
9
the same group of leafsheaths of the stalk.Take the case of grades 53, H and M1. These three grades are of different cleanings - ex-
cellent, good and fair. The only similarity qmong them is that they all come from ihe samegroup of leafsheaths of the abaca stalk - from the outer leafsheaths. lf the producer decidesto produce only fibers of excellent cleaning from the outer leafsheath, he can only producegrade 53 and none of either H or Ml. He can also decide to produce only H and none of53 or M1. And so on. lt all depends on the knife that he is going to use in extracting thefibers from the outer leafsheaths of the stalk.
He can also decide to use different knives in extracting the fibers from the outer leaf-sheaths to produce grades 53, H and M1 in varying quantities but the total cannot exceedthe amount which can be produced from the outer leafsheaths. ln other words, an inverserelationship exists between grades coming from the same group of leafsheaths. This means,as more of one grade is produced, the quantity of the other grades produced from the samegroup of leafsheaths is decreased.
This explains the observed trend in export by grade. This trend is the existence of aninverse relationship between Grades G and 52, between I and JK and between 53 and H, intheir per cent share to total export. As the per cent share of one grade to total exportincreases, that of the other decreases.
This also gives light to the observed trends in the prices of grades I (good cleaning) and52 (excellent cleaning). There are times when the price of grade I is higher than the price of52 despite the fact that grade 52 has always maintained second place in export by gradewhile grade I has been in the fourth and sometimes in sixth slot.
The only logical conclusion that can explain this is the relative scarcity of grade l. Thiswas brought about by the production rigidity discussed earlier. Grade I comes from theinner leafsheaths of the abaca-stalk where grade JK is also extracted (also grades AD, EF,L). Strippers produce more of grade JK, thuithe production of grade I is,conitricted., GradeJK for a cat, has always maintained its position as the country's number three export bygrade.
As has been mentioned earlier, there is an observed inverse relationship between gradesI and JK. As the per cent contribution of grade JK to total export increases, that of grade Idecreases and vice versa. This is the production rigidity in abaca fiber extraction.
Since the grades with very pronounced inverse relationship come from different clean-ings,'the same relationship is also observed in the country's export by cleaning. However,this is-observed only between excellent cleaning and good cleaning. This is expec"ted becausefibers from these two cleanings account for thehain bulk (approximately 72%l of the coun-try's export
. ln production by grade, the inverse relationship is observed between grades coming fromthe same group of leafsheaths of the abaca stalk. Table E shows the different gradis andfrom which group of leafsheaths they come from.
TABLE EGrade Produced From Different Leafsheaths Using Different Knives
TYPE OFCLEANI
OUTER LEAF-SHEATHS
NEXT TOTHE OUTER
S2
TNNER LEAFjtNNERMOSTSHEATHS IICRTSHCET
EF AD
TYPE OFKNIFEno seeration
Good H G I
R
serrattorper inch
Fatr M1 JK serrationsper inch
uoarse L serrattorper inch
^This tableshowsthat 53, H and M1 come from the same group of leafsheaths, while G and52 come from the same groups of leafsheaths. The only idvantage of JK is that it comesfrom a wider group of reafsheaths. v' vr\ ro rtrqr
Based on this table, it is possible to. draw a production possibilities curve which willelaborate many points which have been discussed .;rri;;."''"'To simplify' assume that from the outer leafsheaths of the stalk the farmer has decidedto produce only s3 and H' Assume further tl.,rt iio* ihe'outer leafsheaths rre can pro-duce only 1'10 kgs' of s3 or 1'57 kgs' of H.and,r'.i pi"orttion is notaffected by diminish-' ing returns' This means as some tuxies are shifted l" ir,. pi"iuction of one grade, the corres-
;:#J:l'ffffi'i il,::e production oit* otr'"i l' ;;;;;;ob^.terv consta-ni.-n.r., to the
lf thefarmer decides to produce 1.10 kgs. of 53 (point A), he produces none of H. On theother hand, if he decides'to produce-l.57 kgs. oi H, nor,..gf s3 is produced (point E),However, he may ars.o decide i" t;;;. some s3 und rorn. H. Thus, he can take combina_tion B which sives him. 7s kg. "f
s3;;. s kg. of H. Hr;;;ave other combinations whichwill give him varvino quantitiJs of ss and f . it'r" point, hon*yej, is that the combined guan-|',.'l?il:JiX,l*il,1d,"'
*iii '"i-...[o ,r'.;;i;;'i.sz'r.g,. i*h;;h #;." set by
Production possibilities curve
4BAOE 55
o,t.w) CfiA9EH
Another thing which is shown by this.curve.is that as production is set farther away frompoint E, the totar quantity proou.rogets s.mailer. nt poinl D, the ,"i.i i, i.+ kgs. (.4 kgs.of 53 and 1 kg. of H0, at'poinrC,if,Ji""t is 1.32 f.gr. tib kgs. of 53and .7tkg.of H) andso on' The least total is 1.10 kgs. of point A, whicligiue, onrv s3 and non. oi H. This is;:3f ffjr:v
the fact that the ;"o;;il of exceuent fibe;ls much ress *ran *re recovery ofwhat is important to note here is the inverse-relationship between the two grades. As moreof one grade is produced,. tr,e ptoirction of tr," olr,.i-ii'decreased and iice versa. Thisapplies to the different grades coming titm the same gror^rp of reafsheaths.The importance of rearizing ihitlr'""t only forih.or.iiot purposes but more for itspractical application' This hasie.n rho*n in tire ..tiv purt or tr,.'air"rrr;;.i;.purposesof elaboration, however, an expansion of the previou, ir"J.irr,.il be presented.Assume that the total yield of errr*i x is +oo G. p.i r,lrest.-To simplify the discussionassume further that cleaning does nofattect tr," t6triirount of frbers produced. This 400ffiili:;Jf:'i:il:"t 'r.u"i"gt ibu"rrT"n dirrerent knives). Hence, it is possiure io rrave *reThese production combinations show that the increased production .of one cleaningnecessitates a corresponoing Je;ilas;-i; il;.;;drffi' "li iiuli, o];# Ii..ninsr. rncombination B' for example, gooo iibr.r in-creased by b0 kgs., thus excellent fibers decreas-
;:.:H?j The decrease, howe-ver
"un n. reftected in'otheriteaninss. ii;ii ;;;ds on the
' Given the combinations in Table F a1d. the average prices for the different cleanings, therncome of the farmer can be determined in each l"iinT"rrr"1b1 mylti_nlying the figures ineach combination oy tle 3u9rug. ;;;;; as shown in Tabre G. Tabre G shows that of thefiJ;:.tt'nations
(A, B, c, oi-in i;il F, combination c woutd sive Farme, i in. hishest
n.ovl"i"",l"f;;'l*[t'u obvious that if Farmer X produces onty fibers of excellent cteanins;,;;;;;., ;:T'#lLi -ilJ'fll;?llil .;oiil.?; iT:"il:J: f;:,ru lni;::IXl"*l#
11
TYPE OFCLEANING
ExcellentGoodFairCoarse
TOTAL
TYPE OFCLEANING
ExcellentGood
'-atrCoarse
TOTAL
148.50403.50169.00150.00
P871.00
400
148.50538.00253.500
P940.00
0538.00338.000
P876.00
A100100100100
400
TABLE FProduction Combinations
B
50150100100
400
297.0O269.00169.00150.00
P885.00
c50
200150
0
D
0200200
0
400
TABLE Glncome Schedule Based On Table F Combinations
AVERAGEPRICEAB'CD2.972.691.691.50
earlier. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that price is dependent on supply anddemand conditions, hence, if all farmers produce only excellent fibers, the market wouldbe glutted with excellent fibers while a scarcity of fibers of other cleanings would be felt.These conditions will trigger the decline of the price of excellent fibers anO the increase inthe price of fibers of other cleanings. This will change the income schedule of the farmerand hence, he will also change his choice of production combination.
At best, the value of this knowledge lies on the realization of the implications of marketconditions. Knowing which grades are in demand, the producers can vary their productioncombinations, and thus maximize their inceme.
The observations and trends pointed out earlier, taken in the light of the discussions ex-plaining them, lead to certain conclusions.
The first is that this strongly strengthens the need to educate the producers on gradingand classification and how to produce the different grades. The second is that proOu.rrishould be constantly informed on market conditions. tfris is to avert a protracted imbalancein the supply of and demand for each particular grade of fiber. The itriro is the necesityoJ abolishjng the all-in practice of buying fibers.ihis practice is not only decreasing the
I ll.tgTe of .producers but is also perpetuating the erroneous process of extracting fibers
'1' Yllll results in an imbalance in the supply of and demand for each particular gride. Asii\': ysr rrvqrqt Vt qug. Ft)
sr..r. : :_t:ltd by.many respondents in a survey conducted by the Bureau "why do we have to:,, Il_:y grading and classification when our fibers are bought on ah all-in basis? " The perpe-:'''-tuation of this practice has only caused the scarcityof somegradesandtheoverproduction:" of other grades. Thus, some grading-baling establishments, in trying to take advantage of the"; 'citr.^+i^- --r
i':'i tuation, downgrade orupgride thEir bales of fibers.itf In summation, it should-be emphasized that the producers play an important role in the
summation, it should be emphasized that the produiers ptiy an important role in they of each particular grade of abaca fiber. Hence, they also affect the price movement
ll :T! nt:ue. tne only p-oint that they rnorro uile 1n mini is tr'rt tr,.y.rrliui"u'rourn.ug":: :t.n gr9d9. The only point that they should bare in mind is that they can take advantage
oT demand changes and increase their income by being informed on market conditions and
On the other hand, pulp and paper processors require the removal of foreign or extra-neous matters since these materials result in the presence of perforations or depressions intheir pulP Products.
The graded parcels are now ready for weighing. Enough hanks are laid out in the press
box to weigh 125 kilos net, which is the required weight of each bale of abaca fiber. Thefiber is then pressed into a bale with the following approximate dimensions: length, onemeter; width, 55 centimeters; height, 60 centimeters.
The weight of the bale is rechecked right after it comes out of the baling press, takinginto consideration the weight of the binding twines used. The net weight should be 125.,kilos. The bale is then tagged according to lot number and allowed to stand for checking.
The Assistant Fiber lnspector or the Fiber lnspector himself then picks, at random,sample bales from the stock after verifying the number of bales as it appears on the requestfor inspection or pressing i'eport. The samples are then opened by the Fiber lnspector.
The bales comprising a particular grade within a lot whose representative sample iswithin the range of government standards is considered inspected and approved, while thosewhose samples are rejectable are considered to have been inspected and condemned.
All these bales are stamped with the corresponding government stamps on the lowerportion of the protruding long cloth tag of each bale.
At the end of the month, the lot is closed and a Primary Certificate of fiber inspectionis issued to the baler signed by the Fiber lnspector certifying that the grading of the diffe-rent grades under such lot conforms with the government standards.
When bales have to be withdrawn for shipment, the particulars of the bales are submit-ted to the BFDIS. These particulars include the lot numbers and the quantity per gradeintended to be shipped. The number of bales withdrawn is deducted from the total shownon the Primary Certificate.
The BFDIS then issues a Secondary Certificate, which is a negotiable instrument and isissued for parcels shipped out which are part of those appearing on the Primary Certificate.
For directexportation,an export entry is presented to the BFDIS by the exporter and theBFDIS certifies on the face of the export entry that the bales of fiber comprising theshipment have been approved for export.
During the entire grading and baling operation, the BFDIS lnspector and his assistantare always on the premises to closely supervise and control the quality of the fiber.
' Loose fiber in foreground, baled fiber in background eventually find their way tomtzsumers after rigid inspection by Fiber Inspectors of the Bureau of Fiber and InspectionServtce.
14
iheness of Differentbaca Varieties
Chief, Fiber lmprovement & Utilization Division
, In the Philippines, there are several abaca varieties and each variety has its own inherentphysical characteristics. one of the characteristics in which very few studies, if any, hasbeen made is fiber fineness of the abaca varieties.Abaca fiber has various uses in the cottage industry and in more complicated industrialuses like sack, cordage and pulp and paper. ln the minufacture of certain products, thereare times when the fineness of the fibbris essentially irpoiln^t, For mosquito nets, twines,fishing nets and other.similar products, tine iioeils ;;rf;;. similarty, in the manufactureof sack, fineness ol th,e.,liber'is equaliy important'b;;;;. fine fiber produces compactyarn, has better spinnability, more'binding power and les fiber slippage during processing,thus resulting in better quaiity spun yarn.
This stuciy was undertaken to serve as a guide for abaca pranters desiring to plant thevariety with fine fibers and to tri.ui.r,rn,"rtn "iuiV;l;;, breeders who also want todevelop abaca hybrids that possess ir'.l.quirro fine fiber to suit end-users.
one of the factors that may effect fiber fineness is the method used in extracting thefiber' Extraction therefore *at don. under similar conditions with the spindle strippingTljlilt: HowBver, the influence of various environmrntrf t
"too sr"r,-ir.tnJ tocation,ctrmate and soil were not considered.
T'he method used in liber sampling and determination of the fiber fineness of thg varietieswas that of Garcia and Franco. I rvsr I rr rtr rers ur rn
To conform with the- international system of -determining finenes of the fiber, the unitT_EX was adopted. TEX as a standard ;;ii i;;;r.-;;',;';iXlrjljl*,,::j::"^j,::
gLz:Ifi orsalii,ii"" rextire committJ"iroll'?il ile'f3,Tf;1?j'J:?:':flii:tl**1000 meters lono' This system It p.iii.rl.rly appropririr onlv for fibers where individualf iber strands couid be separated and counted. sidce irris i a'weight-length relationship, thelower values in the table repres"nt.Jlinrr tioeis- (mot ii6.r per unit of weight) and thehigher values represented crarser irnr" (ies fiber per unit of weight).The TEX of the different varieties from the three abaca producing regions are shown inthe table. -"'. vY svvw Pr
Mean TEX (Finenes) of Fiber Bv GrouoOf Leafsheath and Varietiis
TEX OF FIBER (g/kml TOTAL MEANBy group of Leafsheath
REGION VARIETIES
Bicol CasilihonSogmadT. putiT. pula
. ' , Abuab' t Lausmag 24Lausigon
" llolaus 45
MEAN
Inner14.39 49.2916.08 50.8714.96 54.5716.08 55.2818.20 59.7320.39 63.5021.47 69.8125.M 81.30
Outer17.9018.9221.3119.6122.3218.7325.0928.91
Middle17.0015.8718.3019.5919.2124.3823.25
a6_n5_
20.57
16.4316.9618.1918.4319.1921.1723.272LLO-
20.1821.60 18.38 60.54
t;,':
F,;
it:e;$t!ii$:ilil"#:r1rii:{$ri'
r,i
i:'
'tl
!"r.
hL,$1u'Fm'
'Jii!.
. j) Stability of production. ln areas where rainfall iswell-distributed throughoutthe year,follower suckers are produced a quite regularly. Thus, a well-developed hill or mat of abacahas a harvestable stalk almost every 3 months throughout its productive life.
k) Non-perishability. The fibers can be stored for more than 20 years without impairingquality, provided that the storage is well ventilated and not too humid. Thus, fibers neednot to be disPosed of right away.
3. How much labor is required in an abaca area?The major operations in establishing an abaca plantation can either be manual or mecha-
nized, whichever is desirable. To maintain a highly productive abaca plantation, a ratio ofone man to a bectare is needed.
4. Where should an abaca plantation be?The localities noted for good abaca growth are: Bicol, Samar-Leyte, and Mindanao. ln
Mindanao where typhoons are less frequent and a long dry period is uncommon, abaca isknown to grow more robust, tallers, and more productive. Abaca can also be grown inPalawan, Mindoro, Laguna and Cavite on mountainous areas where it is more humid.
5. What should the size of an abaca farm be?For a farmer who oper.ates a highly productive farm by himself and does all the operations
without mechanization (from establishment to fiber preparation and disposal), one hectare'in Mindanao are two hectares in other places would be manageable.For a farmer who may want to put up a spindle machine, he will need at least l0 hectares
and from 3 to 4 or more men to work with him throughout the year.For one who intends to hire a farm supervisor with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, he
he should have at least 120 hectares of a good plantation.
6. What are some problems of the abaca business?The common problems are:a) Price Stability - Fiber prices have been fluctuating.Though the government is studying ways and meani to minimize price fluctuation it is.,
still a cause for worry among producers.b) Pilferage. ln farrns which are not closely supervised, fibers are stripped without the
owner's knowledge. This, of course, can be corrected by a good harvesiing program andvision. The current "agi" ot lot assignment system favors pitterage.
c) Diseases - Among the more common disease to be safe-guarded against are Mosaic,Bunchytop and Wilt.
d) Fiber grading. There are many types of fiber extracted from abaca which must beseparately graded. Many fiber buyers and procurers only quote a single price for lumpedf ibers. Understandably, ihe producer is always at a disadvantage in this form of transaction.
7. can one take advantage of new technologies for the abaca industry?The BPl, and UPLB have studies valuable to the abaca industry. BPI has produced inter-varietal crosses whiclr are highl.y productive. UPLB has some interspecific Hy'brids which aredrousht-toterant. other nevi ob*ie--rofi;nG ;;; i;i loie, oiiti;;i;; f;';ur! ano paperproduction (b) earrier harvest schemes for purp production (c) butchei-haru.rting for'purpproduction and (d) storage of stalks.
8, Where can one get assistance for a sound investment in the abaca industry?: . Personnel of the bFDtS, BPI and UPLB are willing to disseminate valuable information, PIF -.baca.producers.
Some innovative abaca farmers may also help, nuiltlsatways bestu, cross-check with men of the aforesaid agencies.
8. How does land reform affect the industry?
;':^I*^;:ii*, ru#rd:,il;fii*ioiJ'il""];:'. crose manasement and supervision system,.ri.., one can "urirv
r,i r. i.;h; ;,i;;";;iil#;;:a.l:::.. - vEYrrt rr
F,, The "agi" system in Bi:r' ._,1tt* agl" system in Bicol is close the "tenancy" system in our staple crops, lt would be; Detter to avoid the "agi" system and use a labor pooi instead. Unlike in *rii."rn. tahor isr:" usll€r to avoid the "agi" system and use a labor pool instead. Unlike in sugarcane, labor isi'#]lnql seasonal in abaca, for which harvesting and stripping are vear-round anrirritipcstnpptng are year-round activities.
3.4.
5.6.
Pest and disease control 7Cost of fettilizers fertilizers
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
Cost of pesticides, assorted
Harvesting and hauling of tuxies (3 x a year)
Total for Third Year -
Total for Fourth Year -
56.00
408.00360.00200.00
608.00680.00650.00
96.0048.0080.00
387.00
4,261.40
400.00128.0056.00
, 450.00376.00200.00
608.00680.00650.0096.0048.0080.00
377.20
4,149.2Q
320.00128.0056.00
494.00413.60200.00
608.00'680.00
650.0096.0048.0080.00
377.20
4,15A.20
320.00128.00 ,,.
56.00 ,,:..j1,
102.0085.00
112.5094.00
123.50103.40
a. cutting and piling of stalksb. tuxying and hauling of tuxiesc. strippingd. hauling and drying of fiberse. bundling and marketing
7. Desuckering and roguing8. Contingencies (10%)
FOURTH YEAR1. Underbrushing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheaths (4 x a year)2. Application of fertilizers3. Pest and disease control4. Cost of fertilizers.
768565126
10
5016
7
5.6.
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
Cost of pesticides, assortedHarvesting and hauling of tuxies (3 x a year)
a. cutting and piling of stalks 76b. tuxying and hauling of tuxies 8bc. stripping Obd. hauling and drying of fibers 12e. bundling and marketing o
Desuckering and roguing 10Contingencies (10%)
7.8.
FIFTH YEAR1. Underbrushing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheaths (4 x a year)Application of ferti lizersPest and disease controlCost of fertllizers
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
Cost of pesticides, assortedHarvesting and strippin
: a. cutting and pilling of stalks.: b. tuxying and hauling of tuxies,i,. c. stripping,irt d. hauling and drying of fibers,,!ii.,,. _ _ e. bundling and marketing
2.3.4.
5.6.
4016
7
768565126
10j- ' 7. Desuckeringand roguingili . 8. Contigencieis fl 0% i
rii S!XTH YEAR
ii:il r r -
Total for Fifth Year -i*,; 1. Underbruihing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheaths',r',. 2. Application of'fertilizersfur.f. Pest and disease control
4016
7
ti..;;;-.;1..'-fiil
Cost of fertilizer- a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
Cost of pesticides, assortedHarvesting and stripping
a. cutting and piling of stalksb. tuxying and hauling of tuxiesc. strippingd. hauling and drying of fiberse. bundling and marketing
Desuckering and roguingContingencies (10"t" )
SEVENTH YEAR
1. Underbrushing and cutting of driedleaves and leafsheaths (4 ia year)
2. Application of fertilizers3. Cost of fertilizers
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
4. Pest and disease control5. Cost of pesticides, assorted6. Harvesting and stripping
a. cutting and piling of stalksb. tuxying and hauling of tudiesc. strippingd. hauling and drying of fibers
bundling and marketing7. Desuckering and roguing8. Contingencies (1 Oy"J
EIGHTH YEAR
1. Underbrushing and cutting of driedleaves and leafsheaths (4 ia year)
2. Application of fertilizers3. Pest and disease control4. Cost of fertilizers
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
5 Cost pf pesticides, assorted6. Harvesting and stiipping
a. cutting and piling of stalksb. tuxying and hauling of tuxiesc. strippingd. hauling and drying of fibers
- ^ ". bundling and marlieting
/. Desuckering and roguing8. Contingencies ( I 0"2"j
5.6.
4 136.004 1 13.40
768565126
10
Total for Sixth Year -C
3016
4 149.604 124.60
7
Total for Seventh Year -
4 164.564 137.06
Total for Eighth Year -
544.00453.60200.00
608.00680.00650.00
96.0048.0080.00
381.90
4,200.90
240.0O128.00
598.40498.40
56.00200.00
520.00480.00400.00
96.0048.0080.00
300.80
3,679.94
160.00128.0056.00
658.24548.24200.00
520.00480.00400.00
96.0048.00
80.00392.80
3,711.93
7.8.
656050126
10
2016
7
656050126
10
NINTH YEAR1. Underbrushing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheatf,, t+ * . V..ri"2. Application of fertilizers3. Pest and disease control
2016
7
160.00128.0056.00
21
4. Cost of fertilizersa. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
5. Cost of pesticides, assorted6. Harvesting and stripping
a. cutting and piling of stalks 65b. tuxies and hauling of stalks 60c. stripping
50d. hauling and drying of fibers n_ _ e. bundling and marketing 67. Desuckering and roguing - 108. Congencies (10%)
4 181.004 151.00
Total for Tenth year -
2016
7
199.004 172.70
724.0O604.00200.00
520.00480.00400.0096.00
48.0080.00
365.40
4,019.40
160.00128.0056.00
296.00690.00200.00
520.00480.00400.0096.0048.0080.00
365.40
4,019.40
Plantation
TENTH YEAR1. Underbrushing and cutting of dried
leaves and leafsheaths (3x a year)2. Application of fertitizer3. Pest and disease control4. Cost of fenilizers
a. ammonium sulfateb. muriate of potash
5. Cost of pesticides, assorted6. Harvesting and stiipping
a. cutting and piling of stalks 65b. tuxying and hauling of tu;ies 60c. stripping trnd. hauling and drying of fibers i;
, ^^l.lyl9lins and marketins 6
6: iilTi,lr'J"1?,:i1d9,3'''n roguins 10
Total for Tenth year _
Tabel 2' Annual Fiber yield and Gross lncome projection of one-Hectare Abaca(10 yr. of Operation).
Fiberyietd
Yg-----(kg)____ z.ooT:r:l Revenue
-Varying pri ces ( p/kg)
2.50 3.00l____$0__.__tqo___ 4.50b0 5.00Pesos1_
? s2o t,iqo , ig 1,qqq ,,rg ?,i.go- z,iqo z,ooo3 1.040 z,oeo i,ooo i,,l;6 iffb !,160 4,680 s,2oo4 2.080 4',i6o s,ioo 6,ii6 ;Xb g,??g g,soo ro,40os 2,080 4',160 ;,t00 6,,ii6 ;,,;;; g,l?g g,soo 10,4006 2.080 4',160 ;r'b dii6 ,i,;A; !,1?g g,soo 10,4007 z,oeo ,;i60 ;,tob -6',ii6 'i,;;;) !,g?g g,soo 10,4008 2.080 4',160 ;;t;b i,,?40 ;,,;Ab l,l?9 g,goo 1o,4ooe 2.080 a,r oo ;;tob {,?oo ;,,;;o l,l?9 g,soo 1o,4oo10 z.oeo ,i,i6o ;',;fr a',iqo ;',r;o B,s2o g,soo 10,400
Totat (kg) 16,120Total
..lncome (P) 32 )an An a^^ ,o ^^A F rA^ :32,240 40,300 48,360 56,420 64,4g0 72,540 g0,600 ,.,-
,:=
Abaca
O. I. GENERAL INFORIT4ATION
1. Description:a. Abaca, Musa textilis, known
-as ,,Manila
Hemp,, in the world market, is anindigenous plant of the Philippines and belongs to.the vrrr.r.., t riiv.b. lt is similar to banana, pacol and canton.c' lt can only be distinguished by its coloration and formation or shape and sizeof leaves, heart, fruits and trunk.d' The leaves of the abaca are glossy green and narrow and has pointed endpetioles.e' The trunk. heart ancl fruits of abaca are smaller than those of pacol and banana.f. lt reaches the average height of eight (g) feet.2. Adaptationa. Soil in Climatic Conditions
1' ln the Philippines, the abaca plant thrives well in the following areas:Bicol region, Southern Tagalog, in Luzon; Mindoroand Marinduqueislands;Samar, Leyte, Negros and Panay lslands in Visayas; and the whole of Minda-aao and the Sulu Archipelago.
2' Grows best in areas where rainfall is between 2500 mm to 3000 mm. peryear.3' wet tropical climate with high ielative humioity and sufficient soil moisture;cannot withstand even short: periods, without ,.iin o.. irrigation. '
4. Mean annual temperature - 27oC = 29oC bu1 not less than 21 oC.
!. Deep fertire and friabre soir, rich in humusand vorcanosoir.6' Abaca grows best at elevations below 500 meters but is planted at elevationsup to 1000 meters.7. Yierds 300 to 1000 K_g/ha. (depending in the region where pranted)8. National Average = 440 kgs./ha.
b. - Life Span1. Maximum productivity: 7 to g years; diminishes after g years.2' ?'an reach as
-long as 25 years or more, though yield is too to*; it is advisableto replant at 12_18 years.3' First harvest is at 18-24 months after planting ciepending on ecologicalconditions and variety4. After first harvest,2to 4 stalks can be harvested every 4 to 6 months.5. After 4 to 5 years, produces approximat ery z to 5 tons of fibers/ha.3. Quality of Fiber:a. High tensile strengthb. Resistant to salt waterc. Low degree of swellingd. Flexible and resistant to abrasion
I 1 CULTURAI- MANAGEMENT1. Selection of Site - Site must be considered a great
following must be taken into consideration:a. Soil and climatic conditionsb. Terrain (topography of the land)c. Transportation Facilitiesd. Development facilitiese. Labor supply
factor in abaca venture and the
f. open and exposed places should be avoided especilally in areas alongtyphoon belt.
:!:i I.+,: '!li: i ..
2. Land preparationa. For logged-over areas:
1. Underbrushing2. Felling large trees
9. Allowing the branches to dry for two weeks to one month.4. Controlled burning
!. Gathering and burning the remaining twigs, branches and trunks.6. Clearing is best done during dry months.- '
b. For open areas covered with vreeds
1. Clearing may be done by cutting the grass and vines.2. Plow the cleared portion3. Make the first plowing shallow to bring the weed seeds just at proper
depth for fast germination4. Deep plowing 10-14 days after first plowing to kill germinated weeds.
Preparation of Seedpieces/planting Materialsa. .May be propagated by seeds, suckers or_cormsb. Use varieties that suit the areas.c.' Planting materials should be from vigorously growing and disease-free plants.d' Propagation by corms is simply uon6 by cuttlng thdcorms of larger sialks lnto
bits or seedpieces containing from two io three irominent ears.e' By suckers - preferred for already establish;d aUaca plantations. Done byuprooting year-old suckers which are then planted at proper distances in aplantation.f. Seeds - generatly' used for experimental purposes only.Planting Methods:a' Square method - The recommended planting distance in Bicol and the Visa-yas is 2 x 2 meters and Mindan ao 2.8 x 2.5 me[ers.b' Double row or avenue method - a set of 2 rows or hills of abaca are planted
2.5 meters in each direction and each set 4 meters distant from next leaving aspace which can be planted to cash crops,.rice, soybean, etc. and used as aroad - 1,240 plants per ha.
c' Quincunx or triangular method - with an intervening distance of 2.5 meterseach way. - 1,852 plants per hectare. The method to 6e used and the distance.of
planting depend on the climate, soil and the variety to be planted. - -.---'
Weed Controla' Ring-weeding, plowing or underbrushing at 2 to 3 month intervals or as neces-
sary is recommended.b.
9,ul,jY1!ng bv plowing is recommended only during the earty period of growth
oT aDaca-Fertilization.
l. Analyze soil and deficiency symptoms before applying fertilizer.b' Weeding before fertilization is necessary to avoid iompetition for nutrientabsorption.c.. fnOlV the fertilizer around the hill or within the root zoned. Split application of fertilizer is advisable.
7. Pests and Disease ControlA. Pests:
1. Brown AphidsControl Measures:
. a. Spray with insecticidesb. Eradication of diseased plants2. Corm WeevilControl measures:a. Keep the plantation cleanb. eaii ;f ;;h;;;'abaca statks may be taid and destroyed when
3.
4.
6.
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" these have attracted the larvae.c. Avoid exposure of the corms.
3. Slug CaterpillarControl Measures:
a. Using protection gloves, hand-pick the larvae and kill them.b. Cut the leaves containing the larvae and destroy them.c. collect the cocoons which are found around the base of the
plant and destroy them.d. Encourage, grow or protect the natural enemies of the larvae such
as birds, chicken and others.4. Abaca leaf roller
Control measures: (same as slug caterpillar)
B. Diseases:
1. Bunchy-topControl Measures:
a. Chopping of infected irlantsb. The rogue plants including the corms should be destroyed.c. The planting materials should come from virus-free plants.
2. MosaicControl measures:
a. Roguing of infected plants.b. The planting materials should come from virus-free plants.
3. WiltControl Measures:
a. By quarantine and exclusion or by planting resistant cultivars.b. The infected plants should be dug out, chopped and burned to
ashes, or treated with formaldehyde or disposed of in plastic bagsto rot.
4. Dry Sheath-RotControl measures:
a. Gompletely destroy or rogue diseased plants.b. Practice field sanitation, timely harvest of mature plants and
proper distancing.
8. Harvesting and Handlinga. Harvesting
1. Harvesting should be done 18th to 24th month after planting andand 3 to 5 months before the flagleaf appears.
2. Subsequent harvests are obtained every 3 to 4 months in favorableareas and 5 to 7 months under less favorable conditions.
3. The period of good fibers recovery extends more than one monthfrom f lagleaf to early inf lorescence.
, b. Methods:
- i 1. Topping - done by cutting the leaves right at the base of the
ii Petiole'
{ 2 Hl3';n", ,tH 9,,.:Tgl;l;li:J'i3#ff1,1:",,1n:,1"$5i-.,ir;1.1 rY' sr I 9v
$;ir, '' are piled in a convenient place wheqe tuxying is to be done.
ti., c. Handling1. Pile all the cut stalks in a convenient place, at least l0 to 20
,, stalks per pile.t, .. Pe' lJrre'
:.:,., 2. Stalks should be immediately processfi-S-tqrat fibers of superior
'ur. quality will be obtained...
:1.w.'..lj.i$W*_*WAbaca tumbling process
d. Tuxying:
Tuxying is the process of separating the outer from the innerlayer of a teafsheath. il i, d";, ;;i;ru.ting a tuxying knife betweenli: ,fJil:
and then pullins ;rr ;; t;iil rensth to comtretery separate
- Distinct grades.of fiber are produced..from the different groupsot tuxies. To faciritate crassif icaiion ltriuer to be exiracted it isnecessary to group the tuxies .".orJingty-. Th;; g;;r;; .i1,,"a. primera baba _ tuxies from outer'leafsheath.' b. Segunda baba - tuxy from nr"iro ourer reafsheath.? y,rdi? _ tuxy from middt, l.rirf,Juinq. Ubod _ tuxy from innermost teatsfreatn.
I I I. PROCESSING AND STANDARDIZATION1. Methods of Fiber Extraction.
," ,,0!'l?x,tJll;!'f.o .no rpinJr. o,. machine strippins are the methods commonry used
a' Hand-stripping - a non-mechanized process of stripping fibers.Hand_striping process :
'n iTJ$Ht,flJTli,^:ath split is inserted between brade and brock about
: Ii:$iii,i;d;;ilio ano the tuxv is puned with rur rorce under the
: ,t*? i:ttt"'ng pu,', of the tuxy is again inserted under the btade as in the4. all ",t^tl!
and pulled to the buti eno]5. Th."*n.o or stripped fibers are then sundried in temporary shades.
, "o o?::J l'.'" :l J i::'"'J?flJ ?X1 i: :;;il;; ;
" " t n. n,,,,.' n J,, oi I.,.,.u t i o n,
Determining Abaca GradesABACA STALK CROSS-SECTION
B*+t['^rifi.*Er.^8.
@o Tensile Strengtho C leon ingocoror iWo Texture t I
u$i;dil-.TRPPNG ffi:;:lj':il,xx,il"
. ..ro*i ;Y . KN,FE usED.
EXCELLENT Ss Sz EF eG OOD H G I
FA IR Mr JK
COA RSE L
WIDE STRIPS WS
O, T, Yr ,ya
OfficialGrade
Name Cleaning Origin Texture Color Aw. Sireof Strand
Normal Grades ol Hand Strapped (HSl and Spindle srrippcd {SS} Abaca and Thsir Cha.acteiastica
HSAD S.AD Superior Excellent
Currentinnersheath
ivory white to almost ivorywhite
ivory white to light ivory white .2mm
EF S.EF MidCurrent Excellent
light ivory or very light brownto very light ochre inturmixedwith ivory white
light ivory to pale brown to a .2mmshade of ivory white fre<iuenttyintermixed w/ light white strip
middlesheath
sof t
s-s2 StreakyTwo
Excellent sheath next softto outersheath
light ochre to very light brownslightly tinged with red orlight purple streak
very pale brown with very red .2mm .2mm.or very light purple streak .5mm
s.s3 StreakyThree
Excellent outershebth
light to dark red our purple ora shade of dull to dark brown
light brown to darker red orlight purple, the latter colorprevailing
soft
s-l Current Good inner andmiddle
mediumsoftsheath
light brown to very light brown predominantly light to very .5mm .7$mnlight brown but of a lightercolor shade than handstrippedG S.G Soft
Secondsheathnext tooutersheaths
mediumsoft
Good mixture of dingy white lighrgreen to dull brown
mixture of light brown withoccasional streaks of very light .Smm .75mngreen
s-H SoftBrown
Good outersheaths
medium. dark brownsof t
brown to dark brown often inter-mixed with libers ol light colors;nearly black to somevarieties
,Smm .75mnr
middlesheath andthat nextto outersheath
mediumto dull brownmediumsof t
dull brown to dingy light brownS.JK Seconds Fair or clingy light yellow with
occasional streaks of lighrgreen of lighter shade thanhandstripped
lmml.5mm
S-Ml medium Fairbrown
outersheath
medium dark brown to nearly blici brown or nearly brown in some f mm trnm-varieties l.Smms-L Coarse Coarse inner and
middlesheath
harsh ormediumharsh
brownish and frequent[y inter-mixed with light green orpurplish streaks
brownish and frequently inter-mixed with light green or lmm 2mmpurplish streaks
c. Faird. Coarse
c. Color - the quality that determines the grades in each group of cleaning.Color is influenced by a number of factors:1. Color of leafsheath or the variety from which the f iber is extracted.2. Extent of the cleaning3. Care taken in drying the fiber after stripping4. Oxidation of the pulpy materials.5. Attack of micro-organism on the fiber as a result of poor cleaning.
Texture and fiber length also considered in the identification of fiber grades.a. Texture - influenced by the cleaning process. lt also depends on
the district of production and the variety of the plant from whichthe fiber is extracted.
b. Length - it varies more or less in certain grades.
Description Length of Fiber
1. Long 1 . More than 2 meters2. Normal 2.1 to 2 meters3. Short 3. 60 cm. to less than 1 m.4. Tow (very short) 4. Under 6o cm.
OFFICIAL STANDARD GRADES OF ABACA FIBERA. NORMAL GRADES
1. Excellent cleaningAD S-AD Superior currentEF S-EF Mid current52 S_S2 Streaky Two53 S-S3 Strea[y Thiee
2. Good CleaningI S-t CurrentG S-G Soft SecondsH S-H Soft Brown
3. Fair CleaningJK S-JK SecondsM1 S-M1 Medium Brown
4. Coarse CleaningS-L Coarse
- RESIDUAL GRADES
,' yl S-yl Damaged Fine
i Y2 S-Y2 Damaged Medium Coarse\ O S-O Strings,19TTow],, c: wtDE STR|PS
', ws s ws wide strips
IV MARKETING
1. Domestica. - Fiber Domestic performances
Before the abaca fiber reaches the ultimate.consumers, it goes through a seriesof middlemen. From the barrio or first middleman (who buysiiber on an "all-in"basisl, to the second and third middlemen and then to the middlemen who
Fiber lmporting FirmsR. L. Fritchard & Co. lnc.
William Clarks CompanyHenry W. Peabody & Co., Assn.
James Fyfe & Co.Columbian Rope Co.Henson & Orth., lnc.
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York
Blocksen & CompanyC.M. Dexter DivisionThe Dexter DivisionWigglesworth & Co., Ltd.
Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Go., Lte.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Wigglesworth & Co., Ltd.Hindley & Co., Ltd.
Malcolm Maclaine Ltd..
Malcolm Maclaine Ltd.Landauer & Co., Ltd.
Landauer & Co., (Fiber) LtO.Landauer& Co., Ltd.Landauer & Co., Ltd.Fiber Purchasers Ltd.
Smith, Bell& Co., (London) Ltd.St. Regis International Ltd.
Donaghy lndustries Ltd.
Dong Myung Won yang FisheriesJung Hwa lnternational Corp.Dong Nan Grass Cloth, Co., Ltd.Sangwon lndustrial Co., Ltd.Koo Duck Trading Co., Ltd.
21 Vernon St., Floral ParkNew York 11002, U.S.A.California, U.S.A.Boston, MassachqsettiU.S.A.Jersey City, New JerseyAuburn, New York, US.A.10 Corbin Drive, DorienConnecticut, US.A. 06820C/O R. L. Pritchard & Co.London 21 Vermont St.Floral Park, New Yorku.s.A.lndiana, U.S.A.Windsor LocksConnecticut, U.S.A.3034 Mincing Lane, LondonE.C. 3 EnglandCalcutta, lndiaGreeceBarcelona, SpainNew ZealandPonugalNorwayItalyBelgiumFranceU. A. R.32 St. Mary at Hill,London R.C. 3R England46 Hays News, London,WIX 8LR, EnglandAntwerp, Belgium148 Leadenhall St. LondonE.C.34 PJ, EnglandBelgiumlndiaUnited Kingdom52 Hans Place, LondonEnglandLondon11th Floor New Zealand
House, Haymarket,London, England
P.O. Box 94, Dunedin,New Zealand
Seoul, KoreaSeoul, KoreaSeoul, KoreaSeoul, KoreaSeoul, Korea
51
Shing Ding Co., Ltd.Dong Hwa SanuP Co., Ltd.Korea lron and SteelWorks Ltd'Man Ho RoPe Manufacturing Co., Ltd'Don Hwa SanuP Co., Ltd.Hanil WallpaPer Co., Ltd.Miryung Tong Sang Co,, Ltd.
Dae Sung Rope Manufacturing Co' Ltd'Shinsung Commercial Co., Ltd'Mon Ko RoPe Manufacturing
Co., Ltd.
Wuon Poong lnd. Co., Ltd.
Qgura Trading CorPoration Ltd.Nissho-lwai Co., Ltd.
Koike Trading Co., Ltd.Toyo Menka Kaisha Ltd.Marubeni CorPorationYanoioko and ComPanY
Susuki & Co., Ltd.Miller Ropes, Twines & Textiles
West Australian Rope & Twine Co', Ltd'
Geo, Kinnear & Sons PtY., Ltd.
Miguel yCostasYCostas
See via LaYe Tena 3Canada Western Cordage Co., Ltd.
State Trading CorP. of India Ltd.
Jute Corporation of lndia Ltd.il;;i fi riii
" r
-s"iio.i ti "t
& Moesch cM B H' 027 562
Ko Shan FactoryVocational Assistance for Relief Serviceman
Romano Export Co.
Hwa MeiTrading Co.
Victor & CompanYAmalgamated Packaging
lndustries, Ltd.
JapanJapanNagoya, JaPanOsaka, JapanYokohama, JaPan
Sinuzu, JapanP.O. Box 4358 Spencer St.Melbourne, Vic.3001AustraliaP.O. Box 35 Mosman Park
W.A. 6012, AustraliaG.P.O. Gox 4540, Melbourne,Vic.3001 AustraliaBarcelona, SPainC/O J. GilbertDis., Barcelona, SPain
909 Beach Ave., Vancouver 1,
B.C. CanadaCalcutta, lndiaP.O. Box 685Calcutta, lndiaCornsbeak, Psetfecth 240West GermanyKaoshiengTaiwanBoamnei t7Bocuresti, Raumanie317 Marina House
HongkongHongkongP.O. Box 954, Curbat, NatalSouth Africa
P.O. Box 302Pusan, KoreaPusan, KoreaSeoul, KoreaSeoul, KoreaSeoul, KoreaPusan, South KoreaPusan KoreaSeoul, Korea
P.O.Box277Pusan, KoreaSeoul, KoreaTokyo, Japan4-5 Akasaka,2 ChomaMinato-ku, TokYo 107
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