Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Breeding in the Philippines - Industrial Crops: Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts - page 263

resistance management schemes brings forth a package of technology that promises
to make abaca one of the top foreign exchange earners of the country.
Keywords Musa textilis Nee • Breeding • Abaca industry • Genetic conservation
Introduction
Abaca ( Musa textilis Nee.), a plant native to the Philippines, is the source of fiber
known internationally as Manila hemp. It is indigenous to the Philippines whose
favorable climatic condition and volcanic soils are suited to its cultivation. It is
often used as raw material for cordage, clothing, and various handicrafts. In
addition, the fibers are manufactured into specialty papers such as currency notes,
filter papers, stencil papers, and tea bags. The abaca industry is a major industry in
the Philippines. Due to the current interest for biodegradable products and forest
conservation, it is expected that the abaca industry will continue to flourish in both
domestic and international markets. With the advent of new uses of abaca, the crop
will be extensively utilized for more industrial applications because it is recognized
as a natural and superior material.
The Philippine abaca industry continues to make a stronghold in both interna-
tional and domestic markets generating US$80 M annually from 2001 to 2010
[ 1 ]. Being an export-oriented commodity, the abaca industry has maintained its
status as the world's largest producer accounting for 85 % share of world imports.
Domestic consumption is increasing with a 5.7 % growth rate. The economic and
social impact of abaca is further indicated by the fact that the biggest sector of the
industry consists of farmers with small landholdings, averaging close to only 2 ha.
Of the country's total land area planted to abaca, it is the major crop in the Eastern
Visayas and the Bicol Region of the country, accounting for 36 % and 30 %,
respectively.
Philippine production of abaca fiber for the past decade has been relatively
stable, averaging 65,701 metric tons (MT) per year. Three regions in the Philippines
(Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region) account for 79 % of the total
national abaca production during the 10-year period. Among the provinces,
Catanduanes continues to be the top producer of the crop with 18,971 MT of
abaca produced in 2010, equivalent to 33 % of the total regional production
(Fig. 12.1 ). The provinces of Leyte (12 %) and Northern Samar (7 %) rank second
and third, respectively. The volume of abaca production in the Bicol Region has
been fluctuating for the past 10 years due to the prevalence of typhoons that hit the
region, particularly the province of Catanduanes where the bulk of production is
found [ 1 ].
In general, the Philippine abaca industry still relies on traditional varieties.
However, through the years and due to lack of germplasm diversity, the old and
traditional varieties are becoming susceptible to various diseases resulting to
genetic erosion. Extensive rehabilitation programs in abaca-growing regions are