Abaca production and promotion in Natonin, Mountain Province

Abstract

Abaca is the identified One-Town-One-Product of Natonin in Mountain Province. With the emergence of the abaca industry in the province, it is significant to know its history and to document the abaca production, processing, and strategies of entrepreneurs in the promotion of their products. Specifically, this study identified the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, business profile of the respondents based on the type of ownership, abaca postharvest production processes, availability of technology, strategies of the entrepreneurs in promoting their products and the challenges encountered by the entrepreneurs in the promotion of Natonin abaca products. Respondents of the study were thirteen entrepreneurs who are also members of the Natonin Abaca Producers, Inc. Most of the abaca producers and entrepreneurs were using Sole Proprietorship and the rest were members of the Fuwi Women‟s Organization in Poblacion, Natonin. The Natonin abaca varieties identified were the Natonin Red and Natonin Green having the JK grade of raw abaca fiber. Raw abaca fibers and fiber crafts were processed and done manually using local tuxy knives and hand stripping knives. Abaca products were promoted through festivals, personal referrals and by directly supplying companies outside Mountain Province specifically in Manila. Further, various government agencies were involved in the promotion of the Natonin Abaca. These are the DTI-Bontoc, FIDA-Regional Office, DA-Natonin, DENR-Natonin, LGU-Natonin and Planning and Development Office-Natonin. Also, they provided assistance in both the production and promotion of the abaca industry in Natonin. Challenges encountered by the respondents included lack of technologies for the processing and production of abaca, low quality of abaca fiber, lack of interest from locals in abaca production, the poor farm to market road, lack of skilled local strippers, lack of packaging, advertising and sustainability of the abaca industry. It is recommended that residents should engage and be part of the abaca industry and develop skills needed for the abaca production; local investors may invest in the abaca industry of the province; more line agencies may extend more assistance to the traders; entrepreneurs have to raise the quality of abaca products; and that maximizing festivals for the entrepreneurs to promote and sell abaca products.