DA pushes for use of natural fibers in packaging

natural fibers

If the Department of Agriculture is to be followed, packaging materials used in many businesses should make use of indigenous materials in order to support the local materials and at the same time help put a stop on the use of non-biodegradable materials like plastics. The news reports have it that the Fiber Industry Development Authority or FIDA is now talking with the local governments officials  and business leaders on how to use fibers like abaca fibers as the main materials in making packaging materials for use by commercial establishments like department stores. This is one good move in order to stop the department stores’ dependence on plastic shopping bags, these plastic shopping bags in trun clog our rivers. With the use of indigenous fibers like abaca fibers, the shopping bags can be made environment friendly plus we will support many local industries and push the stature of fibers like abaca fibers.

Image used courtesy of International Year of the Natural Fiber

Pushing abaca production thru research

It’s always a good thing to hear that the government is stepping up the campaign to increase the production of abaca and abaca fiber. Right now, the Department of Agriculture is conducting a research on the production of virus-resistant abaca plants. Pests and virus that affect the growth of the abaca plants is the main reason why abaca production in the region and in other parts of the country has been falling. This study and new research is conducted by DA and in partner with the Fiber Industry Development Authority, the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines with the help of other Filipino scientists. Some of the pests that attack the abaca plants inlcude the Bracht Mosaic, Mosaic and the Bunchy-top where the Bunchy-top as the most deadly for abaca plants. If the abaca plant is infected by the Bunchy-top virus, the abaca plant will stoo from growing and the farmers can no longer harvest abaca fibers. The Philippines is a strong player in the abaca sector and the country accounts to 85 percent of the world production of abaca fiber and the rest is supplied by Ecuador.