BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF armm industry cluster capacity enhancement project (aiccep) Conditions cited to JICA mulls possible sustain clustering extension of project INDUSTRY cluster ect Management Offices also discussed among the AMONG THE six con- teams from the Autono- (PMO) and the Satellite project officers who met ditions needed to sustain mous Region in Muslim Project Management Offic- with Inooka recently in the continuity of an indus- Mindanao are now work- es (SPMO) and asked them Davao for the regular JICA try cluster, senior consul- ing on their “sustainability what they need after the monitoring meetings. tant Tetsuo Inooka of Japan plans” to make sure they termination of the AICCEP ARMM Assistant Trade International Cooperation will continue all their ac- next year. Secretary Abubacar Datu- Agency (JICA) cited the tivities and projects even “It’s very important manong asked the AICCEP importance of “consensus” after the ARMM Industry for us to know what your project officers to come up among the team players Cluster Capacity Enhance- needs are, to be able to con- with sustainability plans within the cluster group. ment Project finally ends tinue all your plans, activi- for their own cluster teams “Decision-making in by May next year. ties and projects even with- that would include funding the planning and prepara- Senior adviser Tetsuo out the support of JICA,” schemes for every activity tion of any project or activ- Inooka of Japan Interna- Inooka said. and project to be provided ity must be by consensus, tional Cooperation Agency The possibility of ex- by participating govern- participated and shared by sat down recently with tending the project beside turn to page 6 all the officers of the - Proj its termination date, was turn to page 6

ASIAN rubber producers agreed to share high-yielding clones in the Asia-Pacific region. Mindanao rubber researchers are developing high-yielding clones to improve the quality of rubber from the Philippines. Photo shows rubber farmers training with experts at a rubber plantation in Basilan island. philippine Asia rubber producers OK clone-sharing deal Rubber producing but modern technology Cluster Bulletin countries in the Asia-Pa- has now made the process cific region have approved easier and faster. VOL. IV NO. 4 nov-december 2015 PHILIPPINES recently a “clone sharing” He cited the work of agreement among them to Dr. Romulo L. Cena of the improve the quality of rub- University of Southern ber Mindanao (USM) in devel- Dr. Abdul Aziz S.A. oping the high-yield USM Kadir, IRRDB secretary- 1 clone after 15 years of re- Clusters to boost general, made the an- search. nouncement during the “The fluctuating price recently concluded 2nd of rubber has existed since ARMM economy Philippine Rubber Invest- 1934 so it is nothing new. INDUSTRY clusters are expected to stimulate “Simply put, the ment and Market Encoun- And since it is going to be World Bank ter (Prime) 2015 held in up and down, it needs tar- growth and economic development in the Au- industry cluster ap- Davao City. geted research,” he said. to support tonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. proach is to mobilize The Malaysian Mr. It is also important for Islamic the resources available Aziz said a rubber clone, small farmers to grow rub- In a presentation to the ARMM region. in the cluster to remove which has a higher yield ber from good clones to financing the ARMM industry All these can take bottlenecks in the- de and particular secondary ensure quality output, he cluster teams in Davao place in a region with velopment of clusters characteristics, used to RECOGNIZING the turn to page 6 recently, senior adviser established, well-or- take 40 years to produce huge economic opportuni- and improving the ties of Islamic financing, Tetsuo Inooka of Japan ganized industry clus- business environment the Peace and Equity Foun- International Coop- ters, commitment by in the region,” Inooka Abaca fiber exports dation (PEF) in partnership eration Agency cited government agencies with Al Qalam Institute, said. the factors for good to support these clus- Organizing and CordAid and World Bank performance of cluster ters, active involve- to UK, Asia rise 19% (WB) Philippines, is gear- setting up an industry RAW ABACA fiber ex- 54.4% or 3,420 bales, from ing up for the drafting of activities that included ment of key industry cluster team into a co- ports rose 19% sharply to 540 bales a year earlier; a 21-year roadmap to com- the “increase in macro players, good linkages operative, an associa- $1.2 million during the first while Asia received 45.6% ply with Sharia’h-based economic output such with markets and cus- tion or even a corpora- month of 2015 from only or 2,868 bales, up from 900 financing industry. Islamic as stimulating more tomers, practical and $234,471 a year earlier. In bales. tion can be very effec- Financing is touted as a exports, creation of effective activity plans volume, abaca fiber ex- Export earnings from growing “$2 trillion” glob- tive for a cluster to be ports surge more than four finished abaca products, al industry, more jobs, and boost- and good performance recognized by nation- times to 6,288 bales of 125 fiber crafts, ropes, pulp, The roadmap will be ing more production” of each cluster, accord- kilograms each in January dropped in January amid patterned from the South- in all the provinces of ing to Inooka. turn to page 7 from 1,440 bales the year lower shipments of fin- east Asian countries like earlier. ished products, according Indonesia, one of the lead- Shipments to the Unit- to the Philippine Statistics ing countries in adopting ed Kingdom accounted for Authority (PSA). Islamic Finance in the glob- The report, released al scale. It will be divided yesterday, showed that the into three stages with seven value of outbound ship- years each of realization. ments of finished abaca Ricardo Torres, PEF’s products fell 46.9% to $5.44 Partnerships and Program million during the month manager, in a press confer- from $10.25 million a year ence Wednesday, told re- armm industry earlier. porters this 21-year journey cluster capacity Finished products -- will commence next year. enhancement project which include pulp, fiber Torres was in Davao a project of crafts, cordage and fabrics City for the three-day – however continued to ac- Sharia’h conference count for the bulk of earn- dubbed as “Islamic Financ- ings at 78%. ing in the Philippines: A Specifically, pulp ex- Step towards the First Sev- japan international ports earnings were at en years,” at the Ritz Hotel cooperation agency $2.84 million (down 65.5%); and Garden Oases, “The ARMM fiber crafts amounted to first seven years will be the $557,734 (down 32.9%); first step and we intend to cordage totaled $827,012 implement it starting 2016. SEAWEED farmers in Tawi-Tawi island are all ears listening to the advice of seaweed experts DEPARTMENT OF million (up 7.4%); and fab- from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Mindanao State University who TRADE & INDUSTRY After this Sahria’ah confer- PHILIPPIN E S are also officers of the ARMM Seaweed Industry Cluster team during a recent consultation turn to page 6 turn to page 7 meeting in the southernmost island.  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 PROJECTS Lamitan to establish rubber trading center

LAMITAN CITY --- Set- traders and processors wait- ting up of a rubber trading ing to buy all that rubber,” Seaweed center officially in this city says vice-chairman Dom- is being eyed by the rub- ing Narsico of the rubber cluster to ber industry cluster as one industry cluster team. of their sustainability plans Having this trading produce next year after the end of center, according to Nar- the ARMM Industry Clus- sico, is just one of the local manual ter Capacity Enhancement ordinances the industry Project. cluster wants the city coun- Locally known as a cil to deliberate and pass to for seaweed “Bagsakan Center”, it is help local rubber farmers a trading post or market generate more income from farmers place where rubber farm- MARKETING their coffee beans is one of the top priorities of the ARMM Coffee Industry rubber. TAWI-TAWI -- An in- Cluster team in Sulu island. Photo shows the cluster team with coffee farmers checking out ers deliver their raw rubber Also included in their formation manual will soon the coffee beans drying in the sun at a coffee plantation in Sulu. or semi-processed rubber list of local ordinances is be produced by the sea- to waiting traders and spot the creation of rubber clus- weed industry cluster team buyers ready to buy the ter teams in other towns of for seaweed farmers and commodity. Basilan island to make sure growers here in the island Abaca cluster sets up “”We’ve always want- Coffee every rubber farmer in the of Tawi-Tawi. ed to have our own Bag- whole island benefits from Seaweed cluster co- demo farms in 3 areas sakan Center right here at the clustering approach of markets MARAWI CITY --- Machinery, equipment Lamitan so that our farmers chairman Dr Filemon Three abaca techno-demo and materials needed for might get better prices from turn to page 7 Romero said this manual eyed by farms in three strategic the three demo farms had is expected to be released farm areas in Lanao del Sur already been bought by the towards the termination of industry are set to be established by abaca cluster team which Technical training draws the industry cluster project the abaca industry cluster include brush cutters, next year (2016) after the team sometime in Decem- drawbar carts, shovels and ARMM palm oil farmers team finished gathering the cluster ber (2015) this year. barbed wires, according to COTABATO CITY - palm oil chairman Suharto results of their studies on “Abaca demo farms are Comadug. JOLO, SULU --- The -- Two technical training Ibay. the new seaweed cultivars coffee industry cluster is needed to show abaca farm- Each one-fourth hectare and native seaweeds grown ers in Lanao the correct way demonstration farm in the events on farm manage- “This training is very sharpening its focus on the in the sea-based nurseries at to plant and grow abaca three areas will show abaca ment in the towns of Pa- important for our farmer market segments being tar- rang, Maguindanao prov- and growers who need Bongao, Panglima Sugala, geted by the team to help using the right methods farmers from the neighbor- and technology that will ing villages the right way ince and Tacurong, Sultan formal training in operat- Sibutu and Sitangkai. them come up with better Kudarat province held ing and managing their “Many seaweed farm- marketing strategies to gen- produce high quality abaca of preparing the land, how fibers,” says abaca cluster to prepare and irrigate the in October 2015 attracted own farms as business ven- ers and growers are looking erate more sales for farmers chairman Pundato Alug. soil, how to maintain and some 70 palm oil farmers tures,” says palm oil chair- forward to have copies of and processors. In a recent Davao meet- and growers, according to man Ibay. this seaweed manual next In a project titled “ Mar- turn to page 7 ing with consultants of In a recent monitoring year, we’ll make sure copies ket Promotion and Product Japan International Coop- report to consultants of Ja- will be made available to Development” submitted eration Agency, the cluster pan International Coopera- to industry consultants of them,” Romero said. team chairman said their tion Agency, Ibay said the The information man- Japan International Coop- big drawback was the de- cluster team hired the ser- ual will include the proper eration Agency, the team lay in the actual planting of vices of farm management selection of seaweed farm- highlighted the follow- the abaca corms (seedlings) experts from the University ing as components of their because they were not yet ing sites, correct seaweed of Southern Mindanao to farming methods, correct goal: product development, available at that time. conduct the technical train- time for harvesting the branding, packaging and Dr. Amer Comadug, a ing on farm management raw seaweeds, and good labeling. professor at the Mindanao designed specially for the State University who works seaweed farming manage- “We simply want to cre- palm oil industry. closely with the abaca in- ate more awareness for our The palm oil industry ment practices, according native organic Halal coffee dustry cluster on the proj- to Romero. ect said that the land in the cluster has been pushing for products in the local and more training programs for All the sea-based sea- export markets by intensi- three areas of Madamba, weed nurseries will be Calanogas and Balabagan palm oil farmers and grow- fying our market promo- ers in the Autonomous Re- turned over to seaweed tions,” says coffee industry had already been prepared, cleaned up and cultivated TRADING POST for raw rubber and semi-processed rubber gion in Muslim Mindanao farmers in the four seaweed- cluster chairman Abdusali will soon rise in the City of Lamitan in Basilan island. Rubber and made ready for plant- since last year to prepare growing areas of Tawi-Tawi Ahalul. trading center is one of the plans this year drawn up by ing abaca for the abaca the region for further ex- during the later part of the Sulu had been well- the ARMM Rubber Industry Cluster. Photo shows workers demo farms known for having the best packing raw rubber for traders buying the commodity. turn to page 7 turn to page 7 coffee organically grown in the island province and has the potential to be one Seaweed model nurseries of the leading industries here, according to cluster co-chairman Harrison Ha- eyed in Tawi-Tawi areas ron, provincial director of TAWI-TAWI --- Model a recent Davao monitoring pected to take place either the ARMM Department of sea-based nurseries will meeting. by the end of the fourth Trade and Industry. soon be established in the During the actual cul- quarter this year or during “We can promote the coastal areas of Bongao, ture of native or indigenous the first quarter next year brands of Sulu coffee by Panglima Sugala, Sitang- seaweeds in these nurseries, (2016), according to Dra. market research on brand- kai and Sibutu after the the cluster project team will Romero. ing and benchmarking to construction of the nursery check the yield and quality “It takes quite a while cities with more advanced modules during the later of the cararageenan content for the new cultivars to coffee labeling and pack- part of this year. and study its seasonality grow in the laboratory, but aging. We can set up train- In a recent report to con- and maturity, according to it’s worth waiting if we ing workshops on labeling sultants of Japan Interna- project team leader Dra. want to grow high quality and packaging and we can tional Cooperation Agency, Romero. seaweeds in this island with produce brochures or pam- cluster project team leader The same study will be high carrageenan content,” phlets on Sulu coffee and Dra Romero said. participate in trade fairs Dra. Jumelita Romero said done to the new seaweed During the later part of and exhibits,” Haron said these four coastal areas cultivars they produced in- the project, the project team during one Davao meeting were inspected thoroughly side the laboratory of Mind- will gather all these data with consultants of Japan to find out if they are suit- anao State University -- the gathered from the culture International Cooperation able as model sea-based project team will also check Agency. nurseries. the yield and quality of the of native seaweeds and lab- In one meeting with “ We have to inspect carrageenan content as well produced seaweed cultivars MODEL seaweed nurseries are now being set up in the coastal JICA consultants, the cof- and assess these areas very as its seasonality and matu- and compare the growth areas of Bongao, Panglima Sugala, Sitangkai and Sibutu, all fee cluster team identified carefully if they are really rity. performances of these two varieties---- and find out in Tawi-Tawi island. Photo shows the fabrication work on three product segments as: suitable as model sea-based Since it takes time for “floating nurseries” which comprise of a wooden frame and processed beans for brewed nurseries,” Dra Romero told the new seaweed cultivars which of them produces high-yielding quality carra- empty plastic container that floats on the sea with sunken the JICA consultants during to grow, these steps are ex- twines to grow the seaweeds. turn to page 7 geenan. ( Philpress News)  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 SPOTLIGHTS Japan tire manufacturer Guimaras to buy more rubber in PH growers A JAPANESE tire country from six percent in the DTI regions in Mindan- to export manufacturing company 2012 to 32 percent starting ao as well as other regions has increased its local in August of this year. in central Luzon and the sourcing for rubber in the Jain, a top executive of Visayas,” the DTI official mango Philippines by 32 percent the Department of Trade said. as of August 2015 from and Industry in Zamboan- A laboratory has been exports only six percent in 2012, a ga region said that based set up by concerned gov- company official said. on 2012’s Yokohama lo- ernment agencies with the Currently the cal sourcing, the company Philippine Rubber Industry to the US only car tire manufacturer was buying very little vol- Association (PRIA) to ad- ILOILO CITY -- Fresh in the Philippines, Yoko- ume of raw rubber from dress the need of the coun- and processed mangoes hama Tire Manufacturing the Philippines “due to the try to improve the quality from the nearby island of Company has started its very low quality of the nat- of its raw rubber. Guimaras are being consid- expanding its operations in ural raw rubber produced Jain said Yokohama is ered as high quality export Asia and has began laying in the Philippines” willing to increase its local products by the Department down plans to source raw The remaining 94 per- sourcing of raw rubber in of Trade Industry (DTI) . rubber from neighboring cent of the company’s de- the Philippines as long as “Guimaras has lots of Asian countries. mand for rubber were im- rubber growers and pro- mangoes. In fact, I hope, Rubber indus- ported from other Asian cessors in the Philippines the island can come up try cluster coordinator Sitti rubber-producing coun- will comply strictly with with some good quantity Amina Jain said her indus- tries such as Indonesia and the ISO 2000, a high inter- that would be enough for BUYING of Philippine rubber has risen the last three years as try cluster team recently Thailand. national standard for rub- export,” said Senen M. Per- rubber growers and processors are exerting more efforts to had a talk with Yokohama “What we did is we ber. lada, director of the DTI Ex- increase the quality of rubber produced in the country. Photo Tire new president who joined hands with Depart- “That’s why we set up port Marketing Bureau. shows a rubber production expert in Basilan showing how to informed the industry ment of Science and Tech- a rubber testing laboratory Data from the Phil- tap rubber latex from a tree to tapper trainees. group that they had al- nology (DOST) and work for the rubber processors ippine Statistics Author- ready increased their lo- on improving the quality in the country to have an ity show the province pro- cal buying of rubber in the of rubber. We met with all avenue to check the quality duced 9,194 metric tons of Dairy capital to rise of their products, to make mango in 2012. it comply with the interna- Mr. Perlada said the is- in Cagayan Valley tional standards,” land province can position At present, Mindanao itself as a high quality man- SAN AGUSTIN, Isa- stock raising and carabao or has a total of three rubber go exporter to the United bela—Mayor Virgilio Pa- cattle breeding. testing laboratory. These States. dilla here has asked the na- At least 16,973 hectares are the DOST laboratory in “With mangoes, we tional government to help are planted to major crops Zamboanga, which is being can do a geographic indica- the municipality boost the such as corn, cassava and prioritized by the govern- tion, and this island have dairy industry here and banana with rice on the side ment to be ISO-accredited, the right to do that. There is provide every support and leaving much of the rug- Philippine Rubber Testing also an opportunity for the assistance possible to help ged terrain in the Cagayan Center (PRTC) in Univer- province to go organic con- it become the dairy capital Valley to a wide range of sity of Southern Mindanao, sidering its natural bound- of Cagayan Valley. livestocks such as carabao, and Department of Agri- ary,” he said. “I am optimistic that cattle, goats, etc that have culture (DA)-operated rub- A geographic indication with the assistance of the contributed to the revenues ber laboratory in Ipil, Zam- (GI) is a sign on products national agencies, the town of this municipality, accord- boanga Sibugay. with a specific geographic will be able to generate ing to Padilla. PHILIPPINE banana exports are down as production buckles Yokohama, is also origin and whose qualities more jobs for the people, In the early 1990’s, San from the harsh effects of El Nino in the country these past improve nutrition, boost Agustin piloted a carabao months. Japan is still the Philippines’ top banana importer. turn to page 7 turn to page 7 farmer’s livelihood and be- crossbreeding program in come the province’s dairy a Memorandum of Agree- production center,” Padilla ment of the then Philip- Mindanao said pine Carabao Research and Development plan to boost A fourth-class munici- Development Center now coffee supply pality, San Agustin has 23 called the Carabao Center barangays or villages in the at Cagayan State University can’t cope Cordillera coffee industry foothills of the Sierra Madre with the full support of the A FRAMEWORK plan ers and entrepreneurs, and varieties such as Robusta in mountain ranges that dom- Department of Science and with demand to develop the coffee indus- 4) improve the quality of cof- Apayao and Arabica in Ben- inates the Cagayan Valley. Technology office in Cagay- COFFEE SUPPLY from try has been drawn up by fee beans. The overall plan is guet. Most of the village people an Valley. (Brenda Jocson / the Philippines cannot cope the Cordillera Highland Ag- to target an increase of 50 The plan also identifies here make their living MANILA STANDARD) with the world demand, a ricultural Resource Manage- percent in yield and output the need to establish cen- through rice farming, live- challenge that Mindanao ment Project (CHARMP) to from every coffee tree. tralized processing centers, can meet and supply, ac- boost the growth and devel- Odsey said the design is equipment and infrastruc- cording to Nicholas Matti, opment of the coffee indus- to promote the adoption of a tures like farm-to-market Davao banana exports chairman of the Philippine try in the region. zoning scheme for all coffee roads that are very acces- Coffee Board Inc. CHAMRP Manager plantations in Cordillera to sible to all coffee farmers in the region. “With the world’s cof- Cameron Odsey said the increase coffee productiv- drop 68% in Q1-2015 Cordillera’s annual total fee demand keeping on plan involves four strategies: ity in the entire region. The BANANA exports nana Growers and Export- increasing, our production coffee production is around 1) increase productivity, 2) highest yield per tree can 5,627 metric tons. (Joseph from the Davao Region ers Association (PBGEA) is hardly catching up with expand production,3) in- be produced by identifying for the first quarter of 2015 told business reporters. the demand and that’s our Zambrano/ SUN STAR BA- crease profit of coffee farm- suitable areas for specific GUIO) dropped by 68.3 percent He also said tariffs im- biggest challenge. We are compared to the same pe- posed on banana products positive we can address riod a year earlier. shipped to Japan, which is this with various programs now promoting and devel- Export FOB (free on considered the country’s oping the coffee industry,” board) value of bananas, major commodity with Matti said at the sidelines of fresh or dried were pegged FOB value of $37.5 billion, the Coffee Festival opening at $94.2 million from Janu- is also one of the factors dubbed as “Coffee Origins ary to March, much lower affecting banana exports. 2015” recently at the Abree- compared to $297 million Based on the Philippine za Ayala Mall in Davao during the same period last Statistics Authority data, City. year. fresh or dried bananas, in- He said that outside The banana export cluding plantains, placed Mindanao they are revital- production in gross weight second as the top exported izing the coffee industry during the same period also commodity in the region in Cavite and Batangas, among other provinces in went down to 349,483,515 during the period, with co- the country. kilogram (kg.) against last conut products on top with “We really need to in- year’s 808,611,852 kg. $106.6 million. crease our production be- “We’re expecting ba- Top destinations for ba- cause talking of quality we nana exports to go down nana exports included Japan can beat other countries. this year because of the El ($37.4 million), China ($33.7 What we are trying to do Ni¤o and it will continue million), Iran ($8.1 million), now is niche marketing,” Matti said. to drop way up to 2016,” Korea ($5.1 million) and COFFEE production in the Cordilleras is expected to go higher as coffee growers joined He stressed that the Stephen Antig, executive Singapore ($1.8 million). hands to boost output and quality to meet growing domestic and foreign demand for coffee director of the Pilipino Ba- (SUN STAR DAVAO) turn to page 7 in the Asian region.  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 ACTIVITIES Coffee farmers learn harvesting techniques JOLO, SULU --- Many lectured on the proper way says coffee industry cluster Sulu coffee farmers are of harvesting the coffee ber- chairman Abdusali Ahalul. slowly realizing now that ries from the tree and then Every lecture at all the the old traditional ways of asked to show, one by one, four FFS sites, is followed harvesting the coffee beans how to pick the right ber- by a hands-on demonstra- had to go, as far as coffee ries and harvesting them tion by farmer participants agri-experts from the De- properly. to make sure the correct partment of Agriculture are “After listening to the harvesting methods are concerned. lectures, we expect the thoroughly understood by In the first DA Farm- farmers to understand the all of them. ers’ Field School site in Sa- proper way to harvest and Strip harvesting, ac- pah Malaum, Indanan here demonstrate to fellow par- cording to Ahalul, is a very in this island province, ticipants how they would common practice among farmer participants were harvest the coffee berries,” turn to page 7 ABACA harvesting and processing were seen right inside an abaca plantation in Zamboanga del Sur during a recent benchmarking visit by members of the ARMM Abaca Industry Cluster team who studied the proper ways of growing, harvesting, and processing abaca. Despite disruptions, Cluster learns abaca Rubber coffee production in Zambo cluster to activities ZAMBOANGA --- A ries of Marcelino Coopera- benchmarking trip by the tive (ARBEMCO) in Zam- continue moving abaca industry cluster to boanga Sibugay gave the the three provinces of Zam- abaca farmers of Lanao del trainings, forward boanga recently provided Sur province a glimpse of DESPITE some dis- a complete exposure from how an abaca farm should set up ruptions, the activities and their visits to the best-man- be run, applying good agri- projects of the coffee indus- aged abaca plantations by cultural practices (GAP). nurseries SEMINARS on improving the quality of rubber producing try cluster has been moving farmers and growers to ab- “Many of our farmers and processing drew participation on from rubber traders, forward, achieving most LAMITAN CITY -- The aca fiber processing---up to are still deep in their old processors and cooperatives in Lamitan City, Basilan. of their goals and helping rubber industry cluster the hand-crafting of various traditional ways of plant- hundreds of coffee growers team has vowed to contin- abaca products. ing and growing abaca. and farmers in Sulu prov- ue their training activities “This is the most sig- Looking at a well-managed Rubber traders, coops ince. on rubber farm manage- “We’re moving forward nificant part of our cluster abaca farm and seeing their ment, production technol- with all our activities and activities this year, It will high quality abaca fiber ogy, sharpen the tapping attend quality training projects as planned even change the way our abaca there, opened their eyes skills of rubber farmers and LAMITAN CITY --- A Production Techniques with some disruptions, like farmers work in the farms on the proper methods of establish several Budwood whole day orientation on booklets to the 150 farmers, stray animals or military and the potential big income growing abaca in the farm,” operations in some coffee Rubber Nurseries to pro- managing the quality of workers, and growers who they could earn by making Alug said. farm areas. So far, we’ve ac- duce high yielding clones rubber production and pro- graduated from the training products from abaca fiber,” The abaca cluster chair- complished what we plan to of rubber trees. cessing on the last week of seminar-workshops on tap- says abaca cluster chairman man said it was also sig- do for coffee farmers here,” In a sustainability plan November was expected ping techniques and rubber Pundato Alug. nificant because they had says coffee cluster chairman presented to consultants of to change the mindsets of quality improvement. A visit to the model the opportunity of looking Abdusali Ahalul. Japan International Coop- rubber processors, rubber “We want all our rub- abaca plantations owned at a Decorticating Machine In a recent monitoring eration Agency, vice-chair- cooperatives, and rubber ber to meet the internation- meeting with consultants of and managed by farmers of used by ARBEMCO that man Doming Narsico said traders on the international al standards of foreign tire Japan International Coop- Agrarian Reform Beneficia- turn to page 7 all their training programs standards of rubber quality. manufacturers. Better qual- eration Agency, Ahalul said for rubber farmers in Lami- “It’s important to ity rubber means higher in- the coffee cluster team has Coffee growers mull tan will continue and will change the way we think come for our rubber farmers finally set up a pilot coffee nursery as model for coffee even extend to other towns about rubber quality here. and processors. More earn- farmers in the province and Everyone involved in pro- ings for this industry means using organic fertilizer in the island province of set into motion their Farm- Basilan as they begin to ducing and processing economic growth for Lami- Farmers’ Field School sites ers’ Field School with the JOLO, SULU --- Coffee replicate the rubber indus- rubber has to aim for the tan and the whole province growers here are thinking in the province with topics help of the Department of try clustering approach af- international standards of of Basilan ” Furigay said. of using more organic fer- focusing on soil fertility, soil turn to page 7 ter the end of the ARMM quality,” says rubber clus- (Philpress News) tilizers and botanical pesti- nutrients, identifying pests Industry Cluster Capac- ter vice-chairman Doming cides in managing the soil and diseases of coffee. Narsico. of their coffee farms and “Everything in this ity Enhancement Project or controlling pests and plant training is hands-on for all AICCEP. The ARMM rub- diseases. coffee farmers. Each must “We will continue all ber industry cluster team In a training activity know how to fertilize the our training activities with gathered together some called “Cultural Manage- soil properly and manage the help of our partner gov- 30 participants composed ment” of coffee farms set the soil nutrients the cor- ernment agencies and the of rubber traders, rubber up recently for Sulu coffee rect way. Each must know city government. We will processors, cooperatives of farmers by the coffee in- how to identify pests and also set up rubber nurseries rubber farmers, and local dustry cluster team, farm- diseases of the coffee tree,” to produce high yielding government units involved ers were lectured by coffee says coffee industry cluster clones,” says Narsico dur- in helping the rubber in- experts from the Depart- chairman Abdusali Ahalul. ing a recent Davao meeting dustry in a one-day activity ment of Agriculture in four with JICA consultants. called an “Orientation on turn to page 7 Also included in their Quality Management Sys- sustainability plans is the tem” or QMS. setting up of a Training Rubber cluster chair Center for rubber farmers in person Mayor Rose Furi- Basilan where formal train- gay said the industry and ing seminars, assessment the city of Lamitan are de- and accreditation of rubber termined to boost and up- farmers will be conducted. grade the quality of rubber Narsico said they want being produced and pro- to see the establishment of cessed in this city and the a Training and Assessment whole island of Basilan. Center for the rubber indus- The active Lamitan city try with the support of JICA mayor in her role as the rub- and the government’s Tech- ber industry cluster chair nical Education and Skills person joined the cluster Development Authority team recently in distribut- (TESDA) even after the end ing a total of 225 pieces of NURSERIES are now growing coffee seedlings in the NEW ABACA plants are now growing at the three nursery tapping knives, 360 plas- island of Sulu after the ARMM Coffee Industry Cluster team of the AICCEP project. sites in Lanao del Sur as abaca farmers got the seedlings worked overtime to set up coffee nurseries for farmers in the tic coagulating pans and from the ARMM Abaca Industry Cluster team who worked southernmost island. turn to page 7 310 copies of their Rubber closely with FIDA and DA for technical assistance.  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 SIDELIGHTS Poultry growers Mindanao crafts shine in urged DTI trade fair exhibition to get Halal GENERAL SANTOS- last November. The DTI director said he ---- Hundreds of food The fair is supported is confident the event will for ASEAN processors and entre- by various business groups attract investors and buyers preneurs showcased in a covering the provinces of of products that can be im- CAGAYAN DE ORO- trade fair here the export- North Cotabato, Sultan ported from producers in - – Poultry growers and grade domestic processed Kudarat, Sarangani, South Region 12. The region has farmers, specially the micro, food products and vari- Cotabato and the cities of adequate suppliers of ex- small and medium enter- ous indigenous crafts to Kidapawan, Gen. Santos, port grade processed foods prises or MSMEs were ad- highlight Central Mindan- Cotabato, Koronadal and and indigenous merchan- vised to secure Halal Certi- ao’s investment potentials. Tacurong. The first ever dise, according to Guiama- fication to be able to market The Department “Treasures of Region 12” del. of Trade and Industry products show was held The annual November their chickens overseas once launched last November last year at the same venue. trade fair will include servic- the ASEAN economic inte- 2015 the second “Treasures Ibrahim Guiamadel, re- es meant to improve the lo- gration begin to take place of Region 12,” a trade fair gional director of DTI said cal business climate such as by yearend. and exhibition designed to he is thankful to the differ- crafts special setting, coun- Department of Trade attract more local and for- ent groups helping push seling on financing plans and Industry regional direc- eign investors and link up the five-day event forward. and other important inter- tor Linda Boniao said all the local producers’ products to Exhibitors have been dis- ventions and best trading MSMEs in Northern Mind- foreign buyers playing various food prod- practices. (John Unson / anao have so much to earn Senior DTI offi- ucts and handicrafts made PHILIPPINE STAR) cials helping oversee the of indigenous materials, activity said over 100 entre- such as lady bags and home preneurs joined the fair at decorations in booths inside SEAWEEDS grown in the neighboring countries of Malaysia the SM shopping mall here the SM Mall in this city. and Indonesia are rising in bigger volumes and better quality. ARMM Seaweed Industry Cluster members are thinking of a benchmarking visit to Sabah. Photo shows seaweeds drying in a Tawi-Tawi seaweed farm. DTI training ARMM hands out P20-M held to farm machines to coops Seaweed cluster mulling COTABAO CITY --- To and implements during the understand help farmers boost crop opening ceremony of the plans on Sabah benchmark production and cut down 26thARMM anniversary at Halal post-harvest losses, the Au- the ARMM Compound in TAWI-TAWI --- If there had already visited sea- THE regional office of tonomous Region in Mus- Cotabato City. are some savings in their weed farms and identified the Department of Trade lim Mindanao (ARMM) The post-harvest equip- POULTRY growers getting funding budget, members various problems of sea- and Industry (DTI) initi- distributed various farm- ment, which include farm Halal certification can easily ing equipment to registered tractor with implements, of the seaweed industry weed growers and farmers ated a training seminar un- export their poultry products der the Small and Medium cooperatives and to Moro combine harvester with cluster team are thinking in several seaweed-growing in ASEAN countries. Enterprises (SME) Roving National Liberation Front implements, hand tractors areas all over the island. of a benchmarking trip to from the integration of the Academy in Davao City to (MNLF) communities in the with trailers and knapsack nearby country of Sabah, Romero said the data Association of Southeast help SMEs with a deeper province of Maguindanao. sprayers were estimated to just a four-hour boat trip gathered from the 40,000 Asian Nations. understanding about Halal ARMM Governor Mu- be worth over P20 million. away from the island prov- hectares of seaweed farms Halal food has been Certification and how it can jiv Hataman and lawyer Alamia said the fund ince of Tawi-Tawi. in Tawi-Tawi helped the prepared according to Is- help boost the sales of their Laisa Alamia, ARMM’s used in the acquisition and “There are many things seaweed cluster team in lamic law, and is free from food products. executive secretary and distribution of the farm ma- Under the topic “Un- we can learn from our producing high-quality sea- pork products, alcohol the concurrent officer-in- chineries and implements derstanding the Different came from the Agri-Pinoy Malaysian and Indonesia weed seedlings for growers and certain other ingredi- charge of the region’s De- Aspects of Halal” some 70 Rice and the Payapa at Ma- brothers in growing quality and farmers in the island. ents. Islamic groups are partment of Agriculture SME food processers un- and Fisheries, led the distri- seaweeds in large volumes,” Indonesia has been ex- involved in halal certifica- dertook the training along bution of farm machineries turn to page 7 says Dr. Filemon Romero, porting a regular supply of tion, with companies pay- with the DTI’s officers spe- co-chairman of the seaweed raw dried seaweeds to car- ing fees for inspection and cializing in processed fruits industry cluster during a re- rageenan manufacturers certification carried by the and nuts. cent monitoring meeting in in Cebu who import this Islamic Da’wah Council of “Actually, the food pro- cessors themselves asked Davao with consultants of commodity at a lower buy- the Philippines, according for this kind of training. It Japan International Coop- ing price than the raw dried to Boniao. Northern Mindanao only proves how they really eration Agency. seaweeds coming from wanted to tap and seize the has the third highest pro- Although this is just a Tawi-Tawi and other parts opportunities in the Halal plan discussed and talked of Mindanao. This competi- duction volume for poultry food industry,” said DTI in the country and is the about by the seaweed clus- tion from another country Davao regional director only one outside Luzon. ter, the team is hoping they to supply raw seaweeds to Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi. Boniao said the presence The training semi- would have enough sav- local carrageenan plants has of large poultry produc- nar focused on the Halal’s been hurting the seaweed ings from all their projects tion in Northern Mind- global market opportunities industry in the Philippines, and activities in Tawi-Tawi anao means there is a big and challenges, value chain, to cover the cost of travel to according to Romero. (Phil- potential for exports to business opportunities, Ha- the nearby country. press News) AGRICULTURE crops in the ARMM are expected to get a big ASEAN members. “But boost from the new farm tractors and equipment provided by So far, the cluster team turn to page 7 turn to page 7 the regional government. AICCEP PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES

ARMM PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE Lanao del Sur Satellite Project Management Office 7400 Jolo, Sulu Satellite Project Director : Mohammed Aquil A. Mamainte Cellphone: 0915 8059221 DTI Asst. Trade Secretary Abubacar M. Datumanong ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Email add : [email protected] ARMM Department of Trade and Industry 3F, RLM Bldg., Amai Pakpak Avenue ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao Barrio Green, Marawi City Telephone : (064) 421 – 3442 Cellphone: 0917 707 8636 Tawi-tawi Satellite Project Management Office Fax Nos. : (064) 421 – 7729 Satellite Project Director : Nazrullah Masahud Email add : [email protected] ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Basilan Satellite Project Management Office Bongao, Tawi-T-awi Satellite Project Director : Nonito Manuel Cellphone: 0998 551 0932 Maguindanao Satellite Project Management Office ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Email address: [email protected] Satellite Project Director: Datu Khalikuzaman Baraguir Valderosa Street, Isabela City, Basilan ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Cellphone: 0875 2205738 Door 1-2 Alonto-Biruar Bldg. Email add : [email protected] SENIOR ADVISERS : Mabini St., Cotabato City ARMM DTI Secretary Sakiran Hajan Telephone: (064) 421 7775 Email add : [email protected] Sulu Satellite Project Management Office Satellite Project Director : Harrison Haron ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Sulu Provincial Office  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 FEATURE

Coco coir Lanao village weaves better future with coir is produced ANAO DEL the Malingao Commu- ment Program (MRDP). geonets has been increas- ber they produce weekly is ‘ NORTE, Philip- nity Service Multipurpose The P3.5-million ing ever since they started exported to a Chinese im- pines – Myrna Cooperative or MCOCO, ($74,811.90) funding sup- producing. porter. Baled fiber is -usu from coco- Unabia, 34, be- where Unabia is among the port was used to build the “As long as there is no ally used as raw material gins her day 300 households supplying processing center and to power interruption, we can for furniture cushion and nut husks, Lcooking rice or boiling root the twines. This earns them acquire the decorticating produce up to 70 rolls (of carseats by auto manufac- crops for the day’s con- from P1,200 ($25.64) to machine used to process geonets) per month,” he turers. which used sumption. When not tend- P1,800 ($38.46) per week. the husks into fiber, baling said. A roll of geonet mea- “We’re providing full ing to her garden, or col- “This project has been machine for the baled fiber, sures 1 foot and 50 meters support for this project lecting copra, she usually a great relief to us. Now weaving devices, and a ve- long, and is sold for P1,850 because we have seen its to be just stays idle at home. we can earn in the comfort hicle to transport and col- ($39.55). impact on the communi- But roughly a year of our own homes,” said lect the fibers to and from Geonets are being used ty,” Malingao village chief strewn as ago, she started rolling a Unabia, a mother of 5. “I households. by government agencies Leoncio Bagol said. “Even twining machine after her can easily shell out money Part of the fund was like the Department of Pub- other villages want to do farm wastes usual morning chores. The when my children have used to purchase twin- lic Works and Highways the same thing and are re- machine allows her to pro- school needs,” she added. ing machines for a few for highway construction questing twining machines around the duce around 50 to 60 rolls Rachel Juaskin, 33, also households. But after the projects that need slope from us.” of coco twine in a day, her a resident of Malingao, has Department of Trade and protection from erosion Apart from pro- sister or mother joining her advanced from coco twin- Industry (DTI) learned of and landslides. MCOCO viding employment oppor- vast coconut daily routine. ing to weaving geo-nets, the project’s potential, they has several big buyers from tunities to almost everyone Every Saturday, these which is the product made added more than 200 twin- Surigao, Manila, and near- in many villages , he also fields of Ba- rolls are bought at a pro- from coco twines bought ing machines to benefit 300 by provinces. attributed to the growing cessing center, which is also by MCOCO from the twin- households, even includ- MCOCO is also pro- enterprise the reduction of rangay Mal- the one delivering the coco ing households. ing those outside Malin- ducing baled fiber from petty crimes like theft in coir she uses for twining at “I applied as a weaver gao. half of the coco coir which their area. (Special Feature ingao in Tu- the start of the week. in the (processing) plant af- According to MCO- are not made into geonets. / RAPPLER.COM) Coco coir is produced ter I took part in the train- CO’s operations manager Apao said that majority of from coconut husks, which ing,” she said. Her husband Cerilo Apao, demand for the 70 bundles of baled fi- bod, Lanao used to be just strewn as also works at MCOCO as farm wastes around the truck driver. del Norte. vast coconut fields of - Ba Juaskin used to sell rangay Malingao in Tubod, snack items before, which But the vil- Lanao del Norte. she said, did not ensure a But the village coop- steady income. “I am really lage coop- erative has found a way thankful for this project be- to make productive use cause it gave us an oppor- of this waste. Enjoining tunity to earn. Before, the

erative has households, they are slow- women here used to just ly turning it into a promis- gossip. But now, every Sat-

found a way ing enterprise. urday, they look forward to According to village a sure income.” to make pro‘ - chief Leoncio Bagol, 95% She earns P200 ($4.27) of Malingao’s 600-hectare a day for weaving geonets, ductive use land area is planted with which can be completed in coconut. 3 days. To date, these husks are MCOCO is a recipient of this collected by a truck weekly of one of the big-ticket live- and delivered to the coco lihood projects under the LANAO villagers learning to make twines and geonets from coconut husks are earning higher waste. coir processing center of Mindanao Rural Develop- income these days. Geonets have a huge global demand.

operative, an Association Conditions cited... or a Corporation., depend- Asia rubber... philippine cluster bulletin each member of the cluster ing on the decision of the added, noting that there help would be needed to team players themselves. The Philippine Cluster Bulletin is the monthly publication of the team,” Inooka told clus- are around 50,000 prod- boost the industry. ARMM Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (AICCEP) a ter teams during a recent Inooka also stressed the ucts that can be made out “We were wonder- joint project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and importance of strategy and workshop in Davao City by of rubber. ing why a country, which the Department of Trade and Industry of the Autonomous Region of the ARMM Industry Clus- a well-worked out plan by Muslim Mindanao. (DTI-ARMM). ter Capacity Enhancement the cluster team, especially Mr. Aziz, formerly di- supplies natural rubber to the world, did not have a Project. when the plan is “efficient rector general of the Malay- AURELIO A.PENA Other conditions that and practical” in achieving sian Rubber Board, noted Philippine Rubber Insti- Editor in Chief will boost the chances of their objectives. that the Philippines has “a tute until 2014,” Mr. Aziz Lastly, the JICA consul- YUMI BALSE success of every industry very great future” in rub- said. (Lovely Carillo / cluster are : organization, tant cited the importance MIWAKO OIKAWA ber given the “vast land ar- BUSINESS WORLD) MARY MAYLENE AQUINO strategy, private sector of monitoring the activities Associates participation, efficient and and projects of the cluster eas”, but more government practical planning, and team, reviewing and up- MARY MINA F. REMIS monitoring, according to dating their objectives if Production and Circulation Manager necessary and re-arranging Abaca fiber exports... Inooka. ARMM CORRESPONDENTS The JICA consultant their priorities and activity rics accounted for $20,182 compared to the same pe- cited particularly the im- plans. (Philpress News) Harrison Haron Sulu portance of private sector (down 88.4%). riod in 2014. Filemon Romero Tawi-tawi active participation in each The PSA data further The country produced Domeng Narsico Basilan JICA mulls... 188,538.2 bales of abaca Khalikuzaman Baraguir Maguindanao industry cluster with the show that abaca pulp ex- Mautante Marohombsar Lanao del Sur government and academe ment agencies and local ports fell 68.7% to 789,543 fiber in January to May, ------providing vital supporting government units from all metric tons (MT) year on down 3.8% from a year ADVISERS over the region. roles in the growth and de- year. Europe received the earlier. velopment of each industry “Participation of these ABUBACAR DATUMANONG bulk of the shipments The Bicol Region con- DTI-ARMM Assistant Regional Secretary in the country’s economy. government agencies which cover these indus- at 85.6%, equivalent to tinued to be the top fiber Department of Trade and Industry “Active involvement ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao and participation by the tries is very important. 675,558 MT; while Asia producer, accounting for private sector in the activi- Each cluster must know had 14.4% or 113,985 MT. 38.2% of the total. Next was TETSUO INOOKA how and where to tap ties and projects of the in- Exports of abaca cordage, Davao Region with a 14.1% JICA Senior Consultant sources of funds to help a ------dustry cluster must be en- particular industry,” Datu- meanwhile, climbed by share, while the Eastern Vi- JICA PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM couraged, “Inooka pointed manong said. 23.9% to 339,500 MT from sayas accounted for 13.7%. TETSUO INOOKA, chief adviser for industrial development out. Counterpart funding 274,100 MT. North Ameri- Abaca -- formerly a YUMI BALSE, project coordinator Organization was also coming from different gov- cited as an important ele- ca took up a 59.1% share of key raw material in rope- MIWAKO OIKAWA, sub-chief for business planning ernment agencies and local cordage shipments, Europe making but now used in ment in sustaining the in- government units will help dustry cluster, since only sustain the activities and 14.8%, and Asia 26.2%. specialty papers and cloth- DISCLAIMER a well-organized cluster projects of each industry According to the ing -- is a plant from the Editorial responsibility for every issue of the Philippine Cluster Bulletin lies team can function effective- solely on the Editor in Chief. Although every effort is made in validating and cluster whose success will Philippine Fiber Industry banana family indigenous proofreading this issue under the time pressure of press deadline, we still ly in setting into motion the boost the growth and de- and Development Author- to the Philippines. ( Claire- anticipate some avoidable but unintentional errors, omissions and factual plans and programs of the velopment of the region’s ity, volume of abaca pro- Ann Marie C. Feliciano / oversights. Being the sole responsibility of the chief editor, it is understood that industry cluster. Formally industries, according to NO member of the AICCEP project teams from either DTI or JICA is liable for organizing a cluster team duction in the first five BUSINESS WORLD) any errors, omissions and oversights in every issue of the Philippine Cluster Datumanong. (Philpress Bulletin. can take the form of a Co- News) months of the year also fell  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN nov-december 2015 monitor

Clusters to boost... a city ordinance requiring World Bank... Coffee markets... Lamitan to... all rubber processors in Abaca cluster... ence which will be attend- al government agen- coffee for coffee shops, pro- Japan International Coop- Lamitan and elsewhere in manage the farm area, how ed by some 200 stakehold- cies and local govern- cessed roasted beans for eration Agency the island, to be ISO-regis- and when to apply fertil- ers we intend to craft fully gourmet packs, and pro- The rubber industry tered to guarantee that all izer, how to use the right the whole roadmap,” Tor- ment units to get their cessed coffee beans for mul- cluster also wants the Lami- the rubber produced and pesticides properly, etc, etc. res said. full commitments and tinational coffee companies tan city government to ban processed here follow strict Comadug said the ab- “We really have to in- like Nestle. the use of foreign substanc- international standards, ac- aca cluster team has also vest on people because support. Most of these coffee es or chemicals, like battery cording to Narsico. published recently an in- not all are comprehen- “The benefits of formation leaflet translated beans come from five cof- solution, etc, to coagulate With the rubber indus- sively aware, we also have in the Maranao dialect on clustering come from fee processors in Sulu that rubber latex which reduces try cluster here being head- to build institutions and the quality of raw rubber ed by the City Mayor as the proper way of planting the relationship and include Lupah Sug Coffee leaders, among others. We and lower the buying price its chair person, Narsico is and growing abaca plants, Processing, Sulu Lupah Sug aim that by 2020 we will linkages with good of rubber in the local mar- hopeful these all these city written specially for abaca address the scarcity of ex- cluster players, sup- Coffee Co., Peoples’ Alli- ket. ordinances to be realized farmers in Lanao del Sur ance for Progress MP Coop, perts on Islamic banking,” porting agencies, in- To make sure processed will boost the growth and whose dominant dialect is he added. Kankitap MP Coop, and rubber coming from Basilan development of the rubber Maranao. Maharlika Alonto, put suppliers and cus- Talipao Coffee Processing, is always of high quality, industry in this part of the This Maranao leaflet WB consultant, said that as tomers or markets,” according to Haron. (Phil- the cluster team also wants country. (Philpress News) on abaca farming will be part of their program, they press News) distributed to abaca farm- are now assisting Pakistan, Technical training... palm oil plantations. Other ers after training and work- Indonesian and other inter- Japan tire... palm oil growing regions shops on the proper way to national Islamic Financing Guimaras pansion of the fast-rising include Western Mindanao plant and grow abaca to be experts. scheduled soon in the prov- in the process of expand- growers... industry in the ARMM. (102,000), Northern Min- “They are now on the ince. (Philpress News) ing in 2017 and planning Several foreign inves- danao (154,000), Southern ground studying what can or reputation are due to to produce some 60,000 tors from the Middle East, Mindanao (104,000), MI- be replicated in the Philip- that origin, according to the Indonesia and Malaysia MAROPA region of Mind- pines from their Islamic tires per day. According to World Intellectual Property Mindanao coffee... the tire manufacturer, the have expressed keen inter- oro, Marinduque, Romblon Financing models,” Alonto Organization. Examples and Palawan (16,300), SOC- new, bigger manufactur- est in making large invest- country’s farmlands have said. of these products with GIs SKSARGEN region of South ing plant will be located ments in palm oil planta- what the coffee industry Torres also mentioned are Tequila and Roquefort tion and refinery mills in Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, here in the Philippines and needs. “We have the alti- that PEF has partnered cheese. the ARMM. Sarangani and General San- with international orga- will be the biggest of all Guimaras mangoes are tude, the elevation, volca- Out of the total area of tos (112,000) and Caraga, the nic soil, manpower, water, nizations like Cordaid, a the Yokohama plants in the well-known but are not sold 975,300 hectares planted to largest palm oil growing re- Netherlands-based devel- world---- even much big- under an official GI.The -Na among others which are palm oil, the ARMM has a gion with 384,000 hectares. ( essential in the industry,” opment finance organiza- ger than the mother plant tional Mango Research and total of 103,000 hectares of Philpress News) tion in capacitating more based in Japan. Development Center under he said, adding that in cof- personnel in ensuring suc- According to the Phil- the Department of Agri- fee farming “one should do cessful Islamic Financing ippine Statistics Authority culture -- Bureau of Plant field demonstration of pro- everything to make it fla- Coffee farmers... vorful.” in the country especially in (PSA), the Philippines pro- Industry is based in Guima- cessing. At present, the coun- Mindanao. ( Ace June Per- duces a total of 453,052.00 ras. Sulu coffee farmers, but When the coffee beans ez( /SUN STAR DAVAO ) There are existing man- the series of FFS training are dried, the farmers were try is producing only 30 metric tons (MT) of rubber percent of the actual de- as of 2014. The biggest bulk go producers and growers conducted at selected sites taught how to sort out the on the island that are ready inside coffee farms, are ex- quality beans from the de- mand of the Philippines of the total rubber produc- annually at 100,000 metric Cluster learns... tion comes from Mindan- to ship their products to the pected to change the mind- fective beans, segregating sets of these farmers eager them before moving on to tons (MT). “We only pro- processes abaca trunks into ao’s rubber plantations. foreign markets, according to Perlada. to learn the new technology the next stage of process- duce 30,000 MT but we abaca fibers as well as other The Mindanao’s rub- “There are a few in in coffee farming. ing. have about 100,000 MT an- ber-producing regions are installations that help dry Guimaras that are quali- Also included in the One problem faced by nual demand, and with the Zamboanga Peninsula , the fiber properly. These fied as export-ready, so we FFS lecture-workshops the coffee industry cluster 70,000 MT shortage we are decorticating machines are Autonomous Region in have seminars on a regional were lectures on the proper is the lack of drying and importing some 50,000 MT a common sight in many Muslim Mindanao , North- platform for exporters,” he processing of coffee berries processing facilities for cof- from other coffee-produc- commercially-run abaca ern Mindanao, Soccksarge, said. using both the dry and wet fee in Sulu, according to ing countries,” he said. plantations in the southern Davao Region, and Caraga DTI Undersecretary methods, according to Ah- Ahalul, but steps are being Of the 30,000 MT Luzon and other parts of Region. ( Ace June Perez/ Zenaida C. Maglaya said alul. taken by the cluster to get country’s annual produc- the country. SUN STAR DAVAO) her office will be working After learning the cor- these facilities and equip- tion, Matti said 70 percent Alug said most of the through its Guimaras pro- rect way of processing the ment from government of this were produced in abaca farmers in Lanao del vincial office to be able to berries, the farmers were agency offices that support Mindanao. Davao City is Sur do not know how to achieve these export goals. also lectured on “proper the growth and develop- one of the coffee-produc- diversify abaca fiber into “When you have the drying, quality standards, ment of the coffee industry ing areas in the island along other by-products that are Coffee growers... volume, you can export. and storing of the Green in Sulu. (Philpress News) with Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Bukidnon, in demand in the local mar- Topping each of the cof- It is more of peculiarity Beans” followed by actual Sultan Kudarat and South kets. “All they know is to fee trees to produce more or something unique in a branches and prevent them product. Identify what your licating the industry cluster Cotabato. (Ace June Perez / produce abaca fiber, pro- Rubber cluster... SUN STAR DAVAO) ducing them in volumes from growing too high, strengths are,” Ms. Maglaya to other towns in the island and selling them to a single were also included in the said. (Louine Hope Conser- The rubber cluster vice- that expressed interest in pulp company in Lanao lectures and hands-on dem- va/ BUSINESS WORLD) man said their sustainabili- organizing rubber cluster DTI training... onstration at the FFS site, ty plans also include bench- del Norte. They still don’t teams to boost the growth lal’s historical perspectives, know there are many other according to Ahalul marking trips to rubber “Some coffee trees Despite... of the industry and help Halal in the Asean econom- ways to make money from manufacturing companies grow too tall and unpro- Agriculture. local rubber farmers. (Phil- ic community and the steps their abaca fiber,” the abaca With the FFS train- by Lamitan’s rubber farm- press News) on how to secure Halal cer- ductive, but many farmers ers and processors and rep- cluster chairman said. are hesitant to prune or cut ing program generating so tification. A visit to Domingag off the top branches of the much interest among cof- “This is a good indica- town, Zamboanga del Sur, old coffee trees to rejuve- fee farmers in the whole Poultry growers... tor because the SMEs want- was also significant to the nate them,” Ahalul said. island of Sulu, the cluster’s their exports come ASEAN ed to know all the prospects abaca cluster team, ac- The coffee industry target of 120 farmers in four to realize the region’s integration. But for her, the and opportunities of the cording to abaca industry cluster has continued ad- sites overflowed to 170 par- potential, MSMEs still need government should focus Halal food industry, they cluster secretary Mautante vocating the use of organic ticipants, or an excess of 50 to do more in terms of Halal on helping MSMEs survive are interested on how to Marohombsar of the De- fertilizers using the wastes farmers. certification” Boniao said. in the large ASEAN mar- make their businesses a Ha- partment of Trade and In- generated by the farmers’ Although the peace Mindanao plays an im- ket. lal certified establishment,” dustry who coordinated own farm activities and and order condition in the portant role in trade among Latest data from the Ambi said. and helped organized the making their own insec- province is now fairly sta- neighboring countries Ma- DTI showed that MSMEs in Ambi also said that benchmarking visit to the ticides and pesticides us- ble, coffee farmers are now laysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Bukidnon generated 6,561 the Halal food industry is Zamboanga provinces. ing decaying fruits taught used to the military op- and Singapore, according jobs with domestic sales of very lucrative and has a big Various abaca by-prod- to them by DA agriculture erations around them from to Boniao. P225.52 million. market which the country Boniao said the large needs to take advantage ucts were shown to the experts at the FFS training time to time, a scenario also Presently DTI is focus- multinational companies especially with the coming visiting abaca cluster team workshops held right at the common in other parts of ing on key MSME indus- Mindanao. in Northern Mindanao will try clusters such as coffee, of the ASEAN integration. ( from Lanao del Sur with the farm. “We’re already used to not have a problem with cacao, coco coir, processed SUN STAR DAVAO) producers showing them “If every coffee farmer is willing to make their own all of them after all these how the products are made years and living normal enhance their knowledge on Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and what equipment are organic fertilizers and bo- ARMM hands... tanical pesticides, they don’t lives, working hard and farming technologies to boost and Kalumenga Kadtatabanga necessary to manufacture saganang Pamayanan (PAMA- have to spend money any- continuing all our work agriculture in the province,” Farmers Association. NA) programs. said Alamia. She reiterated the handicrafts. more on buying chemical and programs for the coffee The PAMANA beneficia- “We had lively dis- cluster,” says co-chairman The Agri-Pinoy Rice that the farming equipment ries were El-Grande Farmers fertilizers and pesticides,” program is one of the banner cussions after the bench- Harrison Haron, provincial distributed will help increase Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Ahalul said. initiatives of the Department marking, sharing what we director of the Department agricultural activities of Magu- Datu Odin Sinsuat Women’s DA agriculture experts of Agriculture targeting rice indanaon farmers especially in learned, what we’ve seen of Trade and Industry. Producers Cooperative, Talay- here are pushing for coffee farming and uplifting the lives rice and corn production. and what we can do to- Some of the country’s an Agri-Farm Industry Mar- farmers to do regular prun- of Filipino farmers in the re- Under the Agri-Pinoy keting Cooperative, Tunggol gether as a cluster team to best-tasting coffee, accord- ing of their coffee trees, re- gion. The PAMANA program, Rice program, the recipients Farmers’ Producers Coopera- improve the lives of abaca moval of water sprouts and ing to coffee experts, comes on the other hand, is the na- were the Mindanao State Uni- tive, and Greenfield Producers farmers and their fami- correct spacing in planting from the island province of tional government’s peace and versity (MSU)-Maguindanao, Cooperative. ( ARMM Bureau lies in the province,” says of coffee seedlings. (Phil- Sulu in the southernmost development framework for Al Muizz Farmer and Liveli- of Public Information) Marohombsar. (Philpress press News) Philippines. (Philpress conflict-affected areas. hood Multi-Purpose Coop- News) News) “We urge the farmers to erative, Ekssalam Farmers 8 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN SEPT-OCT 2015 AICCEP PROJECT MAP