Incorporating creativity to their abaca production project, Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program trained the farmers of Biyabid SAAD Farmers Association (BISAFA) on abaca handicraft making last August 18-19, 2026 in Brgy. Biyabid, Sison, Surigao del Norte.
The activity introduced value-adding techniques to the abaca farmers of BISAFA to diversify the ways of how they could utilize their abaca fibers to help them increase their income when the price of the fibers fluctuated in the market.
The abaca handicraft training was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Regional Office Caraga and was headed by its technical personnel, Psymie Madel F. Ceballos, Fiber Development Officer II; Phoebe Grace C. Colonia, Fiber Development Officer II; and Rene D. Ibarra, Jr., Engineer II.
Testing the creativity of the FA, the PhilFIDA officers guided the farmers in crafting bouquet wraps, bags, baskets, placemats, organizers, and lamp covers as those are the most common and saleable abaca by-products. Also, the sessions on handicraft making was a test to know what products the farmers can produce well.
During her discussion to the farmers of BISAFA, Colonia emphasized to the farmers that, “Ang preferred nga gamiton nga fiber is Grade S2, high quality fiber or excellent dapat. Aron nindot ang resulta sa mga produkto.”
(The preferred fiber to use is Grade S2, which should be high-quality or excellent fiber, so that the products turn out well.)
While Ceballos reiterated to the farmers the importance of good craftsmanship saying that, “Importante nga hinlo ug metikuloso ang pagkabuhat sa kada produkto aron masiguro nga kini eye-catching ug mapalit jud sa merkado.”
(It is important that every product is made cleanly and meticulously to ensure that it is eye-catching and will definitely sell in the market.)
Talking about product quality and functionality, Ibarra reminded the farmers to use fibers with high tensile strength to withstand normal wear and tear. He added that heavy duty adhesives should be used to maintain the form and sturdiness of the products.
Hazel Mae R. Moron, Area Coordinator for Surigao del Norte, further shared that as BISAFA works on their value-adding initiative, they are eyeing Placer Public Market, OTOP HUB Surigao City, Surigao City Public Market, and Sison Public Market as some of the target markets and partners for their products as those are the common marketplace for abaca handicrafts.
Expressing his delight to the continued empowerment from SAAD, BISAFA chair, Rolando D. Galleto said that, “Dako gyud among pasalamat sa SAAD sa padayon nga paghatag og mga training nga dako gyud og ikatabang aron mapalapdan pa among kahibalo isip mga mag-uuma aron mas mapalambo among negosyo.”
(We are deeply grateful to SAAD for continuously providing training that greatly helps expand our knowledge as farmers to further grow our business.)
SAAD Caraga will continue to empower the organizations under the program to prepare them to take full autonomy of their agricultural projects and Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) to carry out the ultimate goal of the program of bringing sustainable development in the rural communities of the region.
