ONE OF the best sources of raw materials for handicraft production is forest vines. However, the local handicraft industry is experiencing problems on export due to insufficient supply of raw materials and stiff competition from other handicraft producing countries like China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Forest vines are considered to be one of the best sources of raw materials for handicraft production, and excellent sources of materials for low-cost housing, food and beverages, clothing, medicine, and other products in the rural areas.
With their long yet flexible stems, forest vines are suitable for novelty hand-made items that are popular in market for native products.
Forest vines are considerably abundant in the Philippine forests, making our country the second largest world producer of handicrafts, mainly baskets out of indigenous materials.
Despite its promising use as raw material for handcrafted items, forest vines are among our lesser studied non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which is referred to as “minor forest products.”
Because of this, the forest vines industry is beset with problems and challenges, which include lack of market information, inefficient extraction and processing technology, lack of raw material supply, and lack of capital to finance NTFP plantation development.
With funding from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), a program titled “Philippine Forest Vines for Handicraft and Furniture Industry” was developed to highlight the importance of forest vines in our country.
It is being implemented by the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute.
It aims to utilize non-commercial species of forest vines, promote sustainable management, develop nurseries and demo farms, improve harvesting technologies, and provide recommendations to the handicrafts and furniture industries for improvement in the supply chain.
Extensive resource survey and inventory will be conducted to have actual data of forest vines in the wild.
The supply chain of commercially important forest vines will also be mapped out.
Moreover, physical and mechanical properties of economically important forest woody vines and appropriate preservation and treatment of these vines and its products will be studied.
With the help of the technologies that will be developed, the furniture and handicrafts industries can be efficient and effective in producing raw materials and marketing their products made of forest woody vines.
By utilizing forest vines into various products, farmers and those living in the upland areas can generate additional income and help increase our country’s exports for the handicraft industry.
Although forest vines are mainly used for making handicrafts and furniture, other novel and innovative products may be uncovered and developed.
These science and technology interventions can provide better opportunities to the various players in the industry.
The DOST-PCAARRD will be continuously working to address the challenges faced by the handicrafts industry to meet the high demands for forest vines products.
With the projects under the program, we will be able to provide adequate supply of raw materials to various end-users and the industries, while at the same time conserving our resources. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
