PhilFIDA widens abaca mapping drive across Southern Leyte

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2026-08-13 02:24:43

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is expanding its survey and mapping of abaca farms to other areas of Southern Leyte after completing its initial fieldwork involving 1,250 farmers and more than 2,657 hectares of farmland in Sogod.

PhilFIDA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Joseph Salas said Wednesday that survey teams will next proceed to Bontoc and Maasin City as the agency works to develop a comprehensive profile of abaca farmers and establish an updated geospatial database of fiber-producing areas across the province.

The initiative forms part of the National Fibercrop Survey and Mapping Project (NFSMP), a nationwide program designed to generate updated baseline information that will support evidence-based planning, resource allocation, and targeted interventions for the sustainable development of the country’s natural fiber industry.

The survey team began its deployment in Southern Leyte in March 2026 and has completed fieldwork in Sogod, covering 2,657.34 hectares of total farm area. Of this, 1,170.09 hectares were identified as fibercrop areas.

Field data documented 923,502 abaca hills and 839.63 hectares of effectively planted area. The survey also recorded 15,772 abaca hills affected by disease, providing important information on production challenges that may require government intervention.

“Our target is to cover 5,000 hectares this year. Data validation and consolidation are ongoing and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information gathered,” Salas told the Philippine News Agency.

He said the information gathered in Sogod will provide government agencies and local stakeholders with a clearer picture of the municipality’s abaca production areas, the condition of farms, and the challenges confronting growers.

Salas also underscored the contribution of local farmer guides, who assist survey enumerators in locating farms, determining property boundaries, and validating field information.

“The participation of local farmer guides has been crucial to the survey’s implementation,” he said.

PhilFIDA likewise recognized the support of local government units, partner agencies, barangay officials, farmer guides, and abaca farmers, whose cooperation has helped facilitate the efficient and accurate conduct of the fieldwork.

As the survey moves to other areas of Southern Leyte, PhilFIDA aims to develop a more comprehensive picture of the province’s abaca industry, including the distribution of production areas, the number of farmers engaged in fiber production, and factors affecting farm productivity.

The initiative supports the Department of Agriculture’s continuing efforts to strengthen the Philippine fiber industry and PhilFIDA’s modernization of the country’s natural fiber information system.

For 2026, the NFSMP is being implemented in the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, with a combined target of 6,300 hectares and a total budget of PHP5.04 million.

The project is set to expand further in 2027, when the remaining provinces of Eastern Visayas will be covered with a target survey area of 20,000 hectares.

With the expanded mapping effort, PhilFIDA expects to provide local and national policymakers with more reliable geospatial and farmer-level information that can serve as a stronger basis for planning programs, directing resources, improving farm interventions, and strengthening support for Southern Leyte’s abaca industry.

NPO NEWS TEAM | PNA-PR

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