The Biliran Province State University – School of Agri-Fisheries (BiPSU-SAF), in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Services Office (MASO)-Naval, recently conducted two Benchmarking and Industry Exposure Activities in Baybay City, Leyte, for its partner Abaca Farmers’ Associations. The visits provided local farmers with direct access to the National Abaca Research Center at Visayas State University (NARC–VSU), Ching Bee Trading Corporation, and Specialty Pulp Manufacturing, Inc. (SPMI).

The Upland Farmers and Abaca Planters Association (UFAPA) participated in the activity on February 4, followed by the Villa Consuelo Tree Planters Agriculture Cooperative (VCTPAC) on February 11. A total of 52 farmer-members joined the benchmarking sessions to gain insights into modern production and market standards.

At NARC–VSU, farmers were oriented on abaca micropropagation and tissue culture techniques, learning how a single plant can produce thousands of disease-free planting materials. They also observed both hand and machine stripping operations, allowing them to compare fiber quality and efficiency. Beyond raw fiber, participants explored handicraft production, where abaca waste is transformed into value-added products like bags.

The exposure continued at Ching Bee Trading Corporation, a major Grading and Baling Establishment (GBE). Farmers observed the rigorous classification of fibers—ranging from the high-quality, light-colored S2 grade to the darker, lower-grade M1. This firsthand look helped the associations understand the specific quality standards required by large-scale traders. At SPMI, an export-oriented company registered with PEZA, the group witnessed the transformation of abaca into pulp used for tea bags, medical masks, and technical papers.

BiPSU President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. emphasized the university's commitment to bridging the gap between small-scale farmers and the global market.

"Our role extends beyond the classroom; we are here to empower our local communities by providing them with the technical knowledge and industry linkages they need to thrive. By exposing our farmers to high-level processing and grading standards, we are helping them transform abaca farming from a survival activity into a sustainable and profitable enterprise," Dr. Cañezo stated.

Mr. Romulo Amaga, President of VCTPAC, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, noting that the exposure has provided much-needed inspiration. He shared that while their area has plenty of abaca, low prices often discourage harvesting. He highlighted that learning about the entire value chain—from propagation to direct market links—has encouraged the cooperative to persevere in their production efforts.

The university expressed its sincere gratitude to the leadership at NARC–VSU, Ching Bee, and SPMI for their expertise. Recognition was also given to MASO-Naval, PhilFIDA-Biliran, and the VSU Alumni & Community Relations Office for their roles in facilitating the successful event.

This initiative is part of a two-year partnership under the Sustainable Abaca Farming and Financial Empowerment Program, benefiting farmers across Libtong, Villa Canija, Caray-Caray, Anislagan, and Villa Consuelo. By strengthening the link between academia, government, and industry, BiPSU continues to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on ending poverty, promoting decent work, and fostering responsible production through strategic partnerships. #WoWBiPSU 

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