A program set to enhance the Philippines’ abaca genetic resources marks the first collaborative program between the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilFIDA).
DA-PhilFIDA abaca germplasm collection. (Image credit: DA-PhilFIDA)
The Philippines remains the world’s top abaca exporter, earning around $119 million annually, according to DA-PhilFIDA. However, abaca fiber production has declined since 2020 due to biotic and abiotic stresses such as drought and the abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV). More so, there are growing regulatory concerns on the misidentification of abaca varieties, which has resulted in the unintentional mixing of other Musa species with true abaca fibers in the market.
In response to this, DA-PhilFIDA will implement the program, “Harnessing Abaca Genetic Resources: Integrating Molecular Strategies for Pest Management, Drought Resiliency, and On-site Detection Assays,” under the leadership of Dr. Leny C. Galvez, through the funding and support of DOST-PCAARRD. The program comprises four component projects to advance abaca germplasm management and discover genetic information related to abaca’s response to diseases and drought stress within three years.
In an inception meeting held by DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division (CRD), Dr. Galvez emphasized that the initiative will aid in developing a more robust and sustainable Philippine abaca industry, as well as in improving the capabilities of DA-PhilFIDA in providing quality services to its stakeholders.
Representatives from DOST-PCAARRD and DA-PhilFIDA during the inception meeting of the program, “Harnessing Abaca Genetic Resources: Integrating Molecular Strategies for Pest Management, Drought Resiliency, and On-site Detection Assays.” (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The project “Profiling, Genetic, and Functional Analysis of Abaca (Musa textilis Née) Responses to Drought and Bunchy Top Disease Stresses,” led by Mr. Cris Francis C. Barbosa, will analyze the genetic and functional basis of PhilFIDA-abaca accessions’ stress responses to identify varieties resistant and tolerant to bunchy top disease and drought, respectively.
Meanwhile, the project “Detection, Characterization, and Race Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense and the Response of Selected Abaca Accessions to the Causal Organism of Abaca Wilt,” led by Mr. Jayson C. Asunto, will identify abaca varieties with potential resistance to Fusarium wilt and develop a portable detection kit for the disease.
Additionally, two projects under Dr. Galvez are set to improve abaca varietal identification and fiber-source authentication and to upgrade the PhilFIDA immunology and molecular biology laboratories. These initiatives will enhance their capacity to deliver services more effectively and efficiently in support of the abaca industry.
During the activity, CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina commended DA-PhilFIDA’s support of the program, which will significantly contribute to driving their initiatives forward.
From left to right: Dr. Leny C. Galvez, Mr. Cris Francis C. Barbosa, and Mr. Jayson C. Asunto as they present their plans for their respective projects during the inception meeting at DA-PhilFIDA (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The activity also involved a tour of DA-PhilFIDA Fiber Utilization Technology Division’s (FUTD) laboratories and engineering workshop.
DA-PhilFIDA representatives included Executive Director Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Evelyn B. Cagasan, Research Division OIC Emma Z. Balabis, FUTD OIC Concepcion C. Jocson, Planning Division OIC Grace O. Pastores, Chief Accountant OIC Honesto C. Tabuzo, Jr., and Budget Section OIC Noel G. Dato.
Meanwhile, DOST-PCAARRD was represented by Dir. Pelegrina, alongside Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Abaca Kristine Joy B. Panaligan-de Guzman, Institution Development Division (IDD) Senior Science Research Specialist Wilmar J. Lastimosa, and key staff from CRD and Finance and Administrative Division (FAD)-Accounting Section.