Exploring the natural fiber crops in the province of Benguet [Philippines]
2010
Pablo, J.P., Benguet State Univ., La Trinidad, Benguet (Philippines). Coll. of Agriculture
In the light of bringing back the grandeur of the Cordillera, studies on the improving of the industry were realized that includes the project on the inventory and resource mapping of the fiber-yielding plants in Benguet, to identify potential textile-yielding plants in the Province; determine the municipalities where the fiber crops are found and to collect and conserve the fiber crops in a genebank. This research aims to help in the restoration of the Cordillera grandeur and provide information on the potential fiber crops as alternate crop for the farmers of Benguet and conservation of the resources in the province for Sustainable Agriculture. In the 13 municipalities of Benguet surveyed, there are 12 potential textile-yielding crops identified, three of which are considered as commercial fiber crops in Benguet, namely, maguey, sisal and silk (Seri culture). Five fiber crops are found in most of the municipalities of Benguet: maguey, sisal, pineapple, anabiong and lisak. The fiber crops, at present are wildly growing in the agricultural and forested areas. Maguey and sisal are found to be abundant in some of the municipalities. Early uses of the fiber crops identified were for clothing like kambal (blouse), a-ten or di-vet (tapis or skirt), kuval (G-string). At present, maguey and sisal are use as boundary crops for land, fence to prevent stray animals or as hedgerows in sloping areas. For the genebank, a total of 129 fiber germplasm were gathered. Parts collected are the sucker, stem, slips and seeds.
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