1 GAP Abaca - 5th Working Draft

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD PNS/BAFS xx:____
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Abaca

5th Working Draft
1 1 Objectives
2 This Code addresses Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) that will provide specific guidance
3 to abaca stakeholders in the production of quality fiber that ensures workers’ health,
4 safety and welfare, and minimize environmental hazards associated with the production,
5 postharvest, handling and transport of abaca.
6 The development of GAP for Abaca aims at assisting the farmers to produce quality fiber
7 that will enhance its competitiveness in the domestic use and international market. It also
8 helps the farmers in improving productivity and protecting the crop from pests and
9 diseases through proper use of natural resources that promote sustainable agriculture.
10 2 Scope, use, and terms and definitions
11 2.1 Scope
12 This Code covers the relevant practices in the production, postharvest, handling, storage,
13 and transport of abaca fiber. The provisions of this Code address the production of quality
14 fiber, worker’s health, safety and welfare and environmental management.
15 2.2 Use
16 This Code considers the relevant provisions and follows the format of the Philippine
17 National Standard (PNS) for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Non-food Agricultural
18 Commodities (PNS/BAFS 204:2017), Abaca Sustainability Manual, PhilFIDA Farmer’s
19 Manual on Abaca Production and Abaca Techno guide, and other relevant national and
20 private standards intended for the production and postharvest handling of abaca. It
21 provides additional and specific guidelines for the production of abaca and should be read
22 in conjunction with the PNS GAP for Non-food Agricultural Products, Abaca Sustainability
23 Manual, PhilFIDA Farmer’s Manual on Abaca Production and Abaca Techno guide.
24 2.3 Terms and definitions
25 For the purpose of this Code, the following definitions apply:
26 2.3.1
27 abaca
28 plant scientifically known as Musa textilis Nee of the Family Musaceae, is endemic in the
29 Philippines, resembling banana plant but with slenderer stalk, narrower, pointed and
30 smaller leaves, and inedible, many-seeded fruit. The different parts of an abaca are shown
31 in Annex A
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32 2.3.1.1
33 abaca fiber
34 filament extracted from the stalks of abaca plant. It is internationally known as
35 Manila Hemp, considered as the best natural fiber in the production of pulp for
36 specialty paper and cordage. It is also used for fiber crafts and fabrics
37 2.3.2
38 agricultural input
39 any incoming material like seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers, water, and other
40 agricultural chemicals used for the primary production of abaca
41 2.3.3
42 biological control
43 use of other living organisms such as insects, microorganisms and/or microbial
44 metabolites for the control of insects, pests and diseases
45 2.3.4
46 bundling
47 packing of abaca fiber into desired weight or volume
48 2.3.5
49 clean water
50 quality of water that conforms to the guidelines set by the Republic Act: 9275 or the
51 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
52 2.3.6
53 contaminant
54 any substance causing hazard intentionally or unintentionally mixed to abaca during the
55 production and postharvest processes, handling/on-farm processing and transport
56 2.3.7
57 contamination
58 introduction or occurrence of a hazard during the production, postharvest, handling/on-
59 farm processing and transport of abaca
60 2.3.8
61 disinfection
62 reduction in the number of microorganisms on/in the commodity and on the production
63 sites including facilities through chemical agents and/or physical methods to a level that
64 does not compromise product quality or suitability
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65 2.3.9
66 drying
67 removal of excess water from the fiber which is done either by sun-drying or air-drying
68 the abaca fiber before storage
69 2.3.10
70 farm
71 any premise, establishment or immediate surroundings under the control of the same
72 management in which abaca is grown and harvested
73 2.3.11
74 farmer
75 person who undertakes one or more of the following: cultivation, harvesting and
76 postharvest activities
77 2.3.12
78 fertilizer
79 includes any substance – solid or liquid – or any nutrient element or elements –organic
80 or inorganic – singly or in combination with other materials, applied directly to the soil,
81 foliage or plant for the purpose of promoting plant growth, increasing crop yield or
82 improving the quality of abaca plant
83 2.3.13
84 flag leaf
85 last leaf appearing from 18 to 24 months after planting which indicates maturity or
86 readiness of abaca for harvesting
87 2.3.14
88 Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
89 practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm
90 processes, and which result in increased quantity of safe and quality food and non-food
91 agricultural products
92 2.3.15
93 grading
94 classifying abaca fiber that follow government standards on the quality of abaca. It is
95 generally described as normal, residual and wide strips fiber
96 2.3.16
97 hardening
98 process that conditions plants for survival when transplanted outdoors
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99 2.3.17
100 hill
101 point/place at which planting materials are planted
102 2.3.18
103 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
104 long-term prevention strategy to control pests, involving a combination of techniques,
105 such as biological control, crop resistant varieties, cultural, physical and mechanical
106 practices
107 2.3.19
108 leafsheath
109 tightly wrapped sheaths that form the pseudostem (false trunk) of abaca plant where
110 the fiber is obtained shown in Annex A
111 2.3.20
112 mat
113 group of densely bundled abaca plants in one hill
114 2.3.21
115 pest
116 harmful animal, plant, and microorganism that may affect the production quantity and
117 quality and safety of abaca. These include insects, mites, pathogens, weeds, rodents,
118 mollusks and birds
119 2.3.22
120 pesticide
121 any substance or product, or mixture including active ingredients, adjuvants and
122 pesticide formulations intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate directly or
123 indirectly any pest. The term shall be understood to include insecticide, fungicide,
124 bactericide, nematicide, herbicide, molluscicide, avicide, rodenticide, defoliant, desiccant
125 and the like
126 2.3.23
127 planting material
128 type of materials used to establish or replace abaca plant in the field
129 2.3.23.1
130 corm
131 rootstock; underground modified stem that contains nodes and internodes
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132 2.3.23.2
133 eyebud
134 portion of the seedpiece containing one prominent bud
135 2.3.23.3
136 seedpiece
137 section of a corm containing at least three (3) viable eyebuds
138 2.3.23.4
139 sucker
140 shoot from the mother plant
141 2.3.23.4.1
142 immature sucker
143 nine (9) to eleven (11) month old sucker that is at least one (1) meter tall
144 2.3.23.4.2
145 sword sucker
146 one (1) to three (3) month old sucker with leaves without midribs and very
147 narrow lamina that is about 0.5 m tall
148 2.3.23.5
149 tissue-cultured plantlet
150 true-to-type plantlet developed in laboratories and transferred to nurseries for
151 hardening
152 2.3.24
153 postharvest
154 operations/primary processes undergone by abaca prior to sale
155 2.3.25
156 ring weeding
157 removal of unwanted plants around the abaca plants prior to fertilizer application. This
158 also helps to mark newly planted areas and vacant hills
159 2.3.26
160 stripping
161 process of extracting abaca fiber from the outer layer of the leafsheath that contains the
162 primary fibers (tuxy) using a knife, which may or may not have serrations
process of extracting fiber from the outer layer of the leafsheath that contains the primary
fibers (tuxy) using a knife either in a hand stripping or spindle/machine stripping
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apparatus. Knives may or may not have serrations. Serrations shall be of uniform width and
depth. The amount of tension applied by the knife on the block is also uniform
163 2.3.26.1
164 hand-stripping
165 manual method of extracting fiber by manually pulling the tuxy placed
166 between a block and serrated or non-serrated stripping knife
167 2.3.26.2
168 spindle-stripping
169 mechanized method of extracting the fiber where the tuxy is wound around
170 tapered-shaped spindle rotated by motor or engine
171 2.3.26.3
172 decortication
173 mechanized process of extracting abaca fiber where leafsheaths are scraped by
174 means of revolving wheels with knives
175 2.3.27
176 stripping knife
177 sharpened metal shaped like a bolo with a long wooden handle use for fiber extraction
178 which may or may not have serrations
179 2.3.28
180 thinning
181 removal of excessive/unwanted abaca suckers in a mat
182 2.3.29
183 topping
184 cutting of leaves of stalks to be harvested
185 2.3.30
186 tumbling
187 cutting of the whole abaca
188 2.3.31
189 tuxy
190 strip of the outer layer of the abaca leafsheath of about four (4) to six (6) cm width used
191 as raw material in manual and spindle stripping
192 2.3.32
193 tuxying
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194 process of extracting the outer layer of the leafsheath using specially-made tuxying knife
195 where incisions are made between the outer and the rest of the layers of the leafsheath.
196 The exposed bit of the outer layer is gripped and manually pulled to separate the entire
197 length from the rest of the leafsheath to produce the tuxy
198 2.3.32.1
199 bacnis
200 method of tuxying in which the tuxying knife is inserted in the leafsheath, still
201 attached to the stalk, in a slanting position, gripping the exposed part and
202 pulling it through to produce the tuxy. The rest of the leafsheath is then manually
203 separated from the stalk and discard as waste
204 2.3.32.2
205 locnit
206 method of tuxying in which the leafsheath is first separated from the stalk. It is
207 then cut into two to three sections depending on the size of the width the tuxero
208 can handle. An incision is made in the cut leafsheath, the exposed part is gripped
209 and pulled through to produce the tuxy
210 3 Primary Production
211 3.1 Production Site
212 Evaluation of the production site should be conducted to assess if it will pose significant
213 risks to the primary production, postharvest, handling and transport of abaca or whether
214 the production practices to be employed will have potential negative impacts to adjoining
215 sites. Physical risk assessment of existing and new site(s) should include considerations
216 on flooding, wind velocity, drainage and erosion. The following risks should be evaluated
217 and monitored:
218
219 a) history of land use and cropping pattern;
220 b) slope and potential for run-off from nearby field;
221 c) activities carried on adjoining sites;
222 d) pests and diseases;
223 e) microbial hazards including fecal and organic waste contamination; and
224 f) access of domestic and wild animals to the site and water sources used in primary
225 production
226 3.1.1 Topography and climate
227 Abaca is recommended to be planted in either sloping or rolling, hilly or mountainous

228 with fair to good drainage or well-drained flat lands at least 1000 m above sea level. Abaca
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229 is suitable on areas with temperature of 20°C during cool months to 25°C during warm
230 months and/or preferably, Type 2, 3 and 4 climates. Other topographic and climatic
231 considerations for abaca production are listed in Annex B.
232 3.1.2 Soil
233 Preferably, abaca should be planted on sandy clay loam or clay loam soil that is rich in
234 organic matter, loose, friable, and well drained with volcanic origin at pH 5.8 to 7.0.
235 Other considerations are listed in Annex B.
236 3.2 Agricultural inputs
237 Agricultural inputs should not contain contaminants beyond the acceptable levels that
238 may adversely pose significant risk to the production of abaca, such as those affecting the
239 quality of abaca fiber and the environment as well as the health, safety and welfare of the
240 farmers. Levels of the contaminants from agricultural inputs should be checked and
241 monitored by the responsible agency.
242 3.2.1 Abaca planting materials
243 Various planting materials such as tissue-cultured plantlets, corms/seedpieces and

244 suckers may be used to propagate abaca in the field. Seeds may be used provided that the
245 farmers are informed of the risks listed in Annex C. All planting materials shall be insect-
246 and pathogen-free. Tissue-cultured plantlets should be hardened for three (3) months to
247 withstand transplanting stress in the field. The list of recommended abaca varieties is
248 shown in Annex D. Planting materials from Philippine Fiber Industry Development
249 Authority (PhilFIDA), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), accredited nurseries,
250 and/or commercial producers should be used.
251 In cases where transport of planting materials is necessary, movement should comply
252 with the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Plant Industry-National Plant Quarantine
253 Services Division (BPI-NPQSD) to prevent the proliferation of pests.
254 3.2.2 Fertilizers and pesticides
255 Farmers should use only fertilizers and pesticides that are registered with the Fertilizer
256 and Pesticide Authority (FPA) or Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS)
257 for the cultivation of abaca. They should be used following the instructions printed in the
258 label. Based on the risk analysis categorization, residues should not exceed levels
259 established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, ASEAN Standards or by the
260 Philippine National Standard (PNS).
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261 If these inputs are found to be contaminated with heavy metals or other chemicals at
262 levels that may affect the quality of abaca fiber safety and usage of such products, their
263 use should be stopped. To minimize loss and contamination of the abaca plants, the
264 procedures to use must follow the recommendations of competent authorities.
265 Unused fertilizers, soil amendments and nutrient solutions should be properly
266 kept/disposed following the instructions printed in the label. Disposal of empty pesticide
267 containers and packaging materials should follow the rules and regulations set forth by
268 FPA for inorganic materials and BAFS for organic inputs.
269 3.2.3 Farm tools and implements
270 Farm tools and implements should not contain contaminants beyond the acceptable
271 levels that may adversely pose significant risk to the production of abaca, causing the
272 increased presence of insect pests and diseases, and posing risks to the environment and
273 worker’s health, safety and welfare.
274 3.3 Land preparation
275 Prior to land preparation, soil sampling and analysis should be conducted to determine if
276 the site is suitable for production of abaca and to guide in the preparation of a soil fertility
277 management program. The number of soil or foliage samples must correspond with the
278 size of the production area, types of soil, and variations in its properties, as well as results
279 of previous analyses. The standard protocol of collecting soil samples for laboratory
280 analysis by the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) is presented in Annex E.
281 Land preparation should be done based on type of soil, slope and terrain, and vegetation
282 growing within the production area. For both new and existing areas, the soil should be
283 plowed and harrowed to reduce weed population and enhance aeration of the soil. In
284 planting abaca as intercrop for coconut, deep plowing should be done, once or twice to
285 loosen the soil and break densely matted coconut roots.
286 3.3.1 General clearing
287 Shrubs, bushes and grasses growing in newly established production site should be
288 removed close to the ground. Debris should not be left scattered on the field, which could
289 harbor insect and animal pests such as rodents, termites and weevils. Trees that would
290 serve as windbreaks should be maintained.
291 3.3.2 Layouting/ laying out, staking and holing
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292 The selection of planting methods should take into consideration the topography, slope
293 and terrain of the production site, characteristics of abaca variety to be planted and
294 farming systems to be undertaken.
295 3.3.2.1 Planting orientation, distance and density
296 Generally, abaca should be planted using the square method at a distance not less than
297 two (2) meters in an east to west orientation to maximize exposure to sunlight. Planting
298 distance may vary from 2 meters by 2 meters to three x three meters depending on the
299 varieties. Other recommended planting distances are listed in Annex F.
300 In addition, abaca should be planted at least 500 m away from corn (Zea mays L.) farms.
301 Corns are hosts to insects that transmit viruses causing diseases and destroying abaca
302 plants.
303 3.3.2.2 Staking and holing
304 After planting distance is established, sticks or any other available materials should be
305 used to mark each hill where abaca planting materials are to be established. When
306 digging, top soil should be separated from the sub soil.
307 3.3.3 Planting of shade trees
308 Abaca needs 40% to 70% shade. Shading provides protection from winds and strong
309 rains; diffuses sunlight during the dry season, conserves soil moisture and reduces
310 temperature, which is favorable to abaca. Examples of suitable shade trees are katuray
311 (Sesbania grandiflora L.), anii (Erythrina fusca Lour), dadap (Erythrina sp. L.), coconut
312 (Cocos nucifera L.) and lanzones (Lansium domesticum Corr.). Melina (Gmelina arborea
313 Roxb.) is not recommended since it depletes soil moisture for abaca.
314 3.4 Planting

315
316 Preferably, abaca should be planted at the onset of the rainy season. Where rainfall is
317 throughout the year, planting could be done at any time.
318
319 3.4.1 Transport and hauling of inputs
320
321 Any form of transport vehicle should be checked before use for cleanliness, chemical
322 spills, foreign objects and pest infestation. It should be cleaned if contaminants are
323 present and there is significant risk of affecting the planting materials, farm tools and
324 implements.
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325 3.4.2 Planting of abaca materials
326
327 Top soil should be placed at the bottom of the holes prepared before planting. Marking of
328 places where corms and eyebuds are planted should be done.
329 3.5 Maintenance and sanitation
330 The conditions of newly planted plants should be checked by visiting the farm two (2) or
331 three (3) weeks after planting to determine if replanting is necessary. For existing farms,
332 maintenance of abaca plants per hill should be observed. Removal of weeds and dried
333 leaves should be observed. This include monitoring the presence of aphids and other
334 pests.
335 Adequate areas for disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes should be
336 provided in the field. Non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics, metal containers,
337 bottles and sacks of fertilizers should be segregated from biodegradable waste materials.
338 Composting of biodegradable waste is highly encouraged.
339 3.5.1 Ring weeding and underbrushing
340 Ring weeding should be done for newly germinated plants to mark location of vacant hills.
341 In established farms, ring weeding should be done one-half (1/2) meter around the hills,
342 starting from the inside towards the outside. Underbrushing should also be done to
343 remove weeds, which could be potential hosts to insect pests and diseases.
344 3.5.2 Replanting of missing hills
345 Replanting is done to replace missing hills. Immature suckers either produced on mats of
346 healthy mother plants or brought commercially may be used. Sword suckers are not
347 recommended for replanting or rehabilitation of old farms because of its high mortality
348 rate.
349 3.5.3 Fertilizer application
350 The farm should have a soil or crop fertilization program based on soil characteristics
351 and properties. Soil or foliage sampling and analysis may be undertaken after five (5)
352 years, with advice from a competent authority. Judicious application of organic or
353 inorganic fertilizers should be done to avoid any potential negative impacts on the
354 environment. The farm must/should give priority to organic fertilization using residues
355 generated in the farm. Fertilizer requirement and rate of application is presented in
356 Annex G.
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357 Before fertilization is done, ring weeding should be undertaken. Fertilizers should be
358 applied 60 cm to 90 cm away from the plants to avoid wastage and maximize
359 effectiveness.
360 For organic fertilizer, farmers must neither use undecomposed farm wastes nor liquid
361 sewage and human and animal waste. If the farm produces its own organic fertilizer (e.g.
362 compost), proper treatment procedures should be adopted to reduce or eliminate the
363 pathogens present in the raw material and to minimize the probability of environmental
364 contamination and decrease yield. The procedures adopted by the farmer in the
365 production of its own organic soil amendments should be recorded. The composting site
366 should also consider the source of water and substrate, topography and proximity to the
367 farm and residential areas in order to prevent cross contamination from run off or
368 leaching.
369 3.5.4 Pest and disease management
370 Farmers are encouraged to apply the principle of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
371 wherein the use of chemical pesticides should be in need basis to minimize negative
372 environmental impacts.
373 To control or manage insect pests and diseases of abaca, chemical pesticides and
374 biological control agents (BCA) should be used.
375 The list of abaca insect pests and diseases is listed in Annex H.
376 3.5.4.1 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
377 IPM for abaca concerns the prevention of pathogens, insects and weeds from causing
378 economic crop losses by using a variety of pest management method that are cost
379 effective and cause the least damage to the environment. The program must give priority
380 to the use of modified cultural management practices, regulatory, biological control
381 method and the judicious use of chemicals through training and information
382 dissemination. The component of IPM is presented in Annex I.
383 3.5.4.2 Pesticide application
384 Only trained and authorized farmers should handle agrochemicals. They should also have
385 knowledge on pest, type of pesticide and its dosage, type of sprayer and nozzle, and the
386 method of application. Protection of farmers from pesticide exposure through use of
387 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be ensured. Examples of PPE are shown in
388 Annex J.
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389 3.5.4.2.1 Chemical Control
390 Only green-labelled pesticides shall be used. Banned pesticides known for their negative
391 impacts to human health and natural resources must not be used to control insects and
392 animal pests and diseases in the farm. The list of banned and restricted pesticides is
393 available in the FPA website.
394 To minimize the excessive application and waste of pesticides, proper procedures and
395 equipment for mixing these products, maintenance and calibration should be observed.
396 Handling and application of pesticides should be done according to the manufacturer’s
397 instructions or as indicated in the label.
398 When insecticidal spray is necessary, the recommended dosage of green-labelled

399 insecticide should be followed. Protective gears must be provided. Abaca should be
400 sprayed with insecticide from its top going downward of the base of the plant.
401 3.5.4.3 Biological control
402 Only recommended BCA or products should be used following the instructions of
403 authorized manufacturer/crop protection specialist.
404 All insect pests are affected by natural control that limits their reproduction, growth and
405 population. The most practical method of biological control is to create favorable
406 conditions that increase population of indigenous predators and parasites. Predatory
407 biological agents such as spiders, beetle (Scymnus sp.), earwig and ants are naturally
408 present in abaca farms. They feed on aphids harboring the plants that regulate their
409 population. To maintain their population on check, insecticide that favor the growth of
410 biological agents and with low mammalian toxicity like Pyrethroids should be used. The
411 cultural and agronomic practices that will enhance the growth of natural enemies should
412 also be employed.
413 3.6 Harvesting

414
415 Harvesting should be done based on maturity indicators to produce quality fiber. Abaca
416 should be harvested when the flag leaf appears which is usually from 18 months to 24
417 months after planting (MAP). Mature abaca has 12 leafsheaths to 13 leafsheaths, which
418 are at least four (4) m in length. Subsequent harvest may be done at three (3) to four (4)
419 months interval or as frequent depending on the appearance of a mature abaca. This will
420 give time for the stalks to mature, avoid gaps for proliferation of weeds and prevent over
421 maturation.
422 Appropriate tools such as bolo, knives and sickles that have direct contact with abaca
423 planting materials and harvested leafsheaths and tuxy should be regularly cleaned,
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424 disinfected and maintained in good order to prevent contamination and assure the
425 production of quality fiber.
426 During harvesting, a responsible person should be present to check if safety measures,
427 good hygienic practices and proper harvesting techniques are observed.
428 3.6.1 Topping
429 Topping should be done to avoid inconvenience to the harvester when tumbling the stalk.
430 Leaves should be cut at the base of the petioles using a sickle fastened at the top of
431 bamboo pole. Cutting or topping of the leaves prior to tumbling would minimize damage
432 to young and immature plants.
433 3.6.2 Tumbling
434 An angle of at most 8 cm from the base of the stalk to tumble an abaca plant should be cut
435 using a bolo. This should be done to avoid water accumulation in the cut portion during
436 tumbling.
437 3.6.3 Tuxying
438 After tumbling, tuxying follows with the use of a thin sledge, double bladed knife, and
439 employing either the locnit or bacnis method. Tuxying should be done immediately after
440 tumbling to prevent discoloration of the leafsheath that will cause the quality of the abaca
441 fiber to downgrade Tuxies should be segregated based on the location of the leafsheath
442 in the stalk, to facilitate proper fiber grading.
443 3.6.4 Pre-classification and hauling
444 At the farm level, abaca should be pre-classified according to the location of the leafsheath
445 in the stalk (i.e. inner, middle and outer) to facilitate final grading. Abaca fiber should be
446 graded and classified according to PNS/BAFS 180:2016 and PNS/BAFS 181:2016.
447 Before usage, any form of transport vehicle should be checked for its cleanliness, chemical
448 spills, foreign objects and pest infestation. If there is suspected risks that the tuxy will be
449 contaminated, the transport vehicle is recommended to be cleaned prior to use.
450
451 4 Extraction of fiber
452
453 Extraction of fiber should be done within the day after tuxying to prevent discoloration
454 of the tuxy. Three (3) methods of fiber stripping may be done to extract the fiber as
455 follows:
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456 4.1 Manual or hand stripping
457 Pre-classified tuxies to extract abaca fiber by manual method should be utilized. The
458 recommended stripping knives set forth by PhilFIDA should be used to produce the
459 desired grades. The information regarding stripping knives is shown in Annex K.
460 When a non-serrated knife (0.25 mm rounded tip) is used, a force (blade pressure)
461 ranging 6 kg to 8 kg (about 70 N) is required per centimeter width of tuxy. However, using
462 serrated stripping knives, a blade pressure of not less than four (4) kg is required per
463 centimeter width of tuxy. When the manual method is employed a stripper can produce
464 10 kg of dried S2 fiber a day.
465 4.2 Spindle stripping
466 Spindle stripping is a mechanical process of fiber extraction where tuxies are used similar
467 to manual stripping. With a regular spindle stripping machine, a stripper can produce
468 120 kg of dried fiber in a day of operation.
469 A non-serrated blade of 0.5 mm (rounded tip) is used in extracting abaca fiber using
470 spindle stripping machine. Stripping requires blade pressure ranging from 7 kg to 10 kg
471 per centimeter width of tuxy and a pulling speed of the tuxy ranging 180 m/s to 340 m/s
472 or spindle angular speed of 300 rotations per minute (RPM) to 600 RPM.
473 For safety of the operators, at least 1.5 m from all sides of the machine of waste fiber, tuxy
474 waste and other debris that tangle with the rotating spindle or flywheel should be cleared.
475 Only experienced operators should use the machine. Non-authorized personnel
476 especially children should not be allowed near the machine during stripping operation.
477 Operators should not wear long sleeves, or shirts with exposed buttons, accessories and
478 any other paraphernalia that may tangle with the fiber during the operation. Operators
479 are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverage at all times during the stripping operations.
480 The machine should only be operated during daytime. Stripping during nighttime may be
481 allowed only under proper lighting.
482 4.3 Decortication
483 Unlike in manual and spindle extraction processes, strips of leafsheath are used instead
484 of tuxies.
485 Decorticating machine is composed of a drum with several blades attachment set about
486 two (2) cm apart and distributed around its drum periphery. The blades should have the
487 right corner edges and in close distance with the feeding plate which is placed
488 tangentially below the drum. The decorticating drum rotates at peripheral speed ranging
489 1,200 m/min to 2,600 m/min. A regular decorticating machine can produce 80 kg of dried
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490 fiber in a day of operation. The fiber produced using decorticating machine contains
491 parenchymatous materials.
492 In operating the decorticating machine, the safety measures should be observed.
493 4.4 Disposal of extraction wastes
494 Wastes like leaves, stalks, and debris should be properly disposed. Throwing such
495 materials in bodies of water is prohibited. Waste discharge from postharvest must not
496 degrade receiving bodies. Recycling or composting should be considered.
497 5 Drying and bundling
498 5.1 Drying
499 Abaca may be sun-, air- or mechanically-dried before storing. Thorough drying must be
500 done, at least a day of sunlight or air-dried two (2) to three (3) days to bring down the
501 moisture to at least 15% to avoid fungal and bacterial growth that affects the fiber quality.
502 Abaca fiber should be dried immediately after extraction to avoid discoloration which
503 will cause its downgrading. The fiber is either sun-dried by hanging in a bamboo pole or
504 laying in a clean concrete pavement for at least two (2) to three (3) hours. For quick and
505 good drying results, abaca fiber should be hanged in thin layers and reversed after two
506 (2) hours. Period of drying longer than the recommended should be avoided since this
507 will cause the fiber to be brittle and its tensile strength to decrease. During the process,
508 contamination with foreign materials should be avoided.
509 5.2 Bundling
510 Before bundling, abaca fibers should be segregated according to the location of the
511 leafsheath where fibers are extracted.
512 Hanks of abaca fiber are bundled manually. The size and weight of a bundle varies
513 according to the type of transport used (i.e. capability of the farmer to carry the bundles).
514 Twine of the same grade is recommended for use as ropes to tie the fibers into bundles.
515 Plastic materials should not be used to tie the hanks. Two (2) to three (3) ropes are laid
516 down on a clean pavement parallel, equidistant to each other, and long enough to tightly
517 tie the bundle, to an approximate circumference of four (4) to six (6) feet.
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518 The hanks should be arranged in such a way that the butt ends of the fiber are in the same
519 position. Then these are laid across the ropes and folded in halves until the desired size
520 of the bundle is met and tied securely.
521 6 Storage and transport
522 Proper postharvest handling of abaca fiber should be done to minimize contamination
523 and ensure optimum quality of the product.
524 6.1 Storage
525 The storage area should be well-ventilated and clean. The dried fibers are piled on top of
526 a wooden pallet placed above the ground. This is to prevent moisture setting in the fiber.
527 Abaca should not be stored with other crops like copra. Abaca fiber should be stored
528 neither with other commodities (e.g. copra) nor with tools and implements.
529 6.2 Transport

530
531 Transporting of abaca fiber from the farms after drying and bundling, to the baling station
532 may be done by any means convenient to the farmer provided that it is not mixed with
533 other commodities that will contaminate the fiber.
534 Polyethylene bags may be used to wrap abaca bundles prior to hauling or transporting
535 especially during the wet season.
536 7 Establishment: design and facilities

537
538 The stripping, drying, bundling and storing structure should be properly designed,
539 constructed and maintained to minimize postharvest losses and risk of contamination of
540 abaca fiber. The building and its structures should allow thorough cleaning and/or
541 disinfection, if necessary and drying of pavements to ensure that pathogens would not
542 grow in the facility.
543 7.1 Stripping area
544 The stripping area should be located in an enclosed structure to protect the stripping
545 equipment from the changes of weather.
546 Cleanliness must be maintained in the stripping area. The area must be dry and free from
547 contaminants such as leaves, stems, food waste and other foreign matter. The stripping
548 area should be free from insects, mites and other urban pests. The size of the area
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549 depends on the occupants/number of strippers. A stripping area with single stripper may
550 occupy a space of about four (4) square meters (2 meters by 2 meters).
551 7.2 Drying area
552 The drying area could be an open space where a bamboo pole supported by sturdy posts
553 structures can be horizontally laid parallel to one another. The posts should be long
554 enough such that when the fiber is hung, the ends will not touch the ground. The area
555 should be free from any contaminants.
556 Due to changing climate pattern, an enclosed drying area is desirable with proper lighting
557 and ventilation.
558 7.3 Storage area
559 Abaca fiber should not be stored adjacent to structures of combustible materials. Storage
560 area should have proper roofing and walls to protect the fiber from changes in weather
561 conditions. There should be no unintended opening in the roof and wall that will cause
562 the fiber to get wet when it rains.
563 8 Treatment and working conditions for farmers
564 All farmers must be treated in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the
565 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the agricultural sector.
566 8.1 Conditions on labor
567 The farm management should not hire based on race, color, gender, age, religion, social
568 class, political tendencies, nationality, union membership, sexual orientation, civil status
569 or any other motive. All workers should comply with the country’s regulation of the
570 minimum working age, which is 18 years of age and above, and not be subject to any form
571 of child labor. All employees, workers and farmers should have their rights implemented
572 and protected, be able to negotiate their working conditions and be paid at least
573 minimum wage.
574 There should be no cases of forced labor and forced eviction. There should be no
575 prohibition on membership or representation by labor union.
576 8.2 Health, safety and welfare of workers
577 All agricultural workers including contractors or visitors should maintain an appropriate
578 degree of personal hygiene in order not to contaminate the produce. Wearing of
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579 protective clothing, gadgets and safe manual handling practices should be followed. In
580 cases of emergency, the farm should be able to provide first aid measures and appropriate
581 fire prevention and control measures. Farmers concerned in the application of
582 agrochemicals must undergo training in interpretation, techniques, correct use of
583 equipment, handling and transportation of these materials.
584 Where provided by an employer, living quarters should be suitable for human habitation
585 (disease-free, hygienic and safe) and contain basic services and facilities such as access
586 to safe and clean drinking water.
587 9 Documentation and records
588 The farmer should keep farm record to facilitate recalls and product safety investigations.
589 The following should be recorded:
590  soil analysis
591  weather condition during harvesting of produce (when applicable)
592  types, varieties/clones and sources of planting materials
593  types and usage of agricultural inputs (pesticides, fertilizer, growth regulators,
594 etc.)
595  suppliers of agricultural inputs
596  lot number of agricultural inputs
597  production site with lot codes
598  water management practices
599  water source and quality
600  processing including the date, method and final volume of product
601  pest control (dosage, schedule, frequency, and cleaning schedules of equipment,
602 etc.)
603  raw material used, start and end date of treatment in case of farm producing its
604 own inputs.
19
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605 Bibliography
606 Baliguas, C. N. (1955). The variability of seven abaca varieties. The Phillip Agric. 38:637-
607 644.
608 Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). Abaca. Retrieved on July 21, 2017 from
609 http://www.bar.gov.ph/agfishtech home/crops/206-plantation-crops/1269-
610 abaca
611 Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA). Banned and Restricted Pesticide. Retrieved on
612 August 16, 2017 from http://fpa.da.gov.ph/index.php/regulatory/pesticide-
613 division
614 Fiber Industry Development Authority. (2005). Farmer’s Manual on Abaca Production.
615 Quezon City, Philippines.
616 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2010). Quality declared
617 planting material: Protocols and standards for vegetatively propagated crops. FAO
618 Plant Production and Protection Paper No. 195. Rome, Italy.
619 Halos, S. C. (2008). The Abaca. DA. Biotechnology. pp. 1-32.
620 Mendiola, N. B. (1923). On the improvement of abaca (Abaca textilis Nee). Phillip Agric.
621 Rev. 16(2): 85-89.
622 Milan, P. and F. Goltenboth. (2005). Abaca and rainforestation farming: A guide to
623 sustainable farm management. Leyte State University, Philippines and University of
624 Hohenheim, Germany.
625 Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, Gesellschaftfur International

626 Zusammenarbeit and Glatfelter GmbH. (2016). Abaca Sustainability Manual.
627 Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, Quezon City and Deutsche
628 Gesellschaftfur International Zusammenarbeit, Makati City.
629 Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority. (2013). Techno Guide on Abaca (Musa
630 textilis Nee). Quezon City, Philippines.
631 PNS/BAFS 204:2017. Philippine National Standard for the Code of Good Agricultural
632 Practices (GAP) for Non-food agricultural commodities. Bureau of Product
633 Standards.
634 PNS/PAES 254:2011. Philippine National Standard for Agricultural machinery – Abaca
635 stripper – Specifications. Bureau of Product Standards.
20
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636 Ricahuerta, J. R. (1952). Germination and variability study of seven abaca varieties. The
637 Philipp Agric. 35:504-511.
638 Sustainable Agriculture Network. (2010). Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Red de

639 Agricultura Sostenible, A.C.
21
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640 Annex A
641 (Informative)
642
643 Abaca plant
644
645
646
647 Figure A.1 – The different parts of a mature abaca plant
648
22
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A2
A3
Figure A.2-3 – Layers of an abaca stalk
23
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649 Annex B
650 (Informative)
651
652 Other considerations for abaca production
653
654 Table B.1 - Other topographic, climatic and soil considerations for abaca
655 production
656
Consideration Description
Atmospheric
78% to 85%
humidity
Top and sub soil should be approximately 60 cm to
Depth of horizon
90 cm deep
Water table Preferably 80 cm wit60% to 80% saturation
Soil aeration Well aerated soil
NOTE
Types of climate in the Philippines:
Type 1 – Dry season from December to May and wet season from June to
November. During the months of June to September, rain periods are at
maximum. Places that have this type of climate are exposed to southwest
monsoon.
Type 2 – No dry season occurs from December to January. Places that have this
type are exposed to northeast monsoon. Tropical cyclones are frequent in
these areas.
Type 3 – Seasons are not very pronounced and relatively dry. For 6 months,
places experiencing this type of climate are located inland. Southwest
monsoon greatly affects these areas.
Type 4 – Rainfall is more or less evenly throughout the year. Northeast Luzon,
southern part of Luzon, southern Mindanao and few areas in Visayas
experience this type of climate.
24
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657 Annex C
658 (Informative)
659 Risks of planting abaca seeds
660 The fruit of abaca is like a small banana. It has thick peeling that covers a pulpy substance
661 containing as many as 36 small seeds to 130 small seeds. Since the abaca is harvested
662 prior to flowering, no fruit or seed is available. Usually, fruits and seeds may be produced
663 from abandoned plantations.
664 According to Copeland in 1972, seeds have been used as planting materials in abaca
665 domestication as well as in the establishment of plantation when there was a frenzy to
666 establish abaca plantation in the country in the early 1900s. Apparently, as an early
667 practice in establishing an abaca farm, birds are allowed to deposit abaca seeds in a
668 cleared kaingin.
669 Today, abaca seeds are not used for establishing commercial plantation since they
670 develop into a variable population and seedling do not breed true to type (Mendiola,
671 1923; Baliguas, 1955, Ricahuerta, 1952) but are primarily used in research.
672 Abaca plants grown in seeds exhibit a high degree of variability in vigor, number and
673 length of roots, height, stalk diameter, leafsheath and petiole color, leaf size, stooling
674 capacity and fiber content.
25
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675 Annex D
676 (Informative)
677
678 Varieties of abaca
679
680 Table D.1 - List of PhilFIDA Recommended Abaca Varieties
681
Average yield per
Location Variety Hectare per Year
kg/ha/yr*
Musa Tex 51 2000
Bicol Abuab 1700
Tinawagan Puti 1600
Linawaan 1300
Visayas Inosa 1200
Laylay 1000
Maguindanao 2100
Mindanao Bongolanon 1700
Tangongon 1500
Note *When proper care and maintenance are instituted
26
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682 Annex E
683 (Informative)
684
685 Standard protocol in collecting soil samples for analysis by BSWM
686
687
688 2. Divide your farm according to the
689
1. The following should be in
hand: pail, shovel, bolo, plastic kind of crops grown or to be grown,
690
and meter stick. type of soil (sandy, clayey or loamy)
691
692
and topography (level, flat, sloping
693 or hilly). Collect soil samples
694 3. Brush away stone, rubbish, separately from the different soil
695 trash or grass on the surface of unit areas and place them in
696 the land. separate containers.
697
698
5. Get similar samples at random
699
from as many as 10 sites and mix
700
701 them in a container. Get a
702 4. Using the shovel, push it composite soil sample of about 1
703 down the surface or topsoil to a kilo to represent the soil unit area
704 depth of approximately 15 cm (any section of farm where the soil
705 and get a slice of soil sample 2 type, its topography and
706
cm thick and 5 cm wide. Place vegetation are more or less
707
this in a container. similar.)
708
709
710
7. When air dried, get at least one
711
(1) kilo from each composite soil
712
713 sample and place it separately in
714 a cloth or plastic bag. (one (1)
kilo air-dried soil is equivalent to 6. Air dry the soil samples by
715
3 cans of condensed milk-full of spreading them in old
716
soil). newspapers or mats under the
717
718 shade or indoor. Be sure to avoid
719 contaminations among the
720 samples and keep them away
721 from dirt or foreign matters
722 especiall cigarette ash. Divide
723 representative soil samples into
724 8. Label the bags properly and four (4). Remove soil samples 1
725
send them to the nearest Regional and 3 and retain soil samples 2
726 and 4. Repeat the process four
or Provincial Soils Laboratory.
727 times until you obtain one (1)
728
kilo.
729
27
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730 Annex F
731 (Informative)
732
733 Planting distance when intercropping
734
735 When intercropping, planting distance using the quincunx or triangular method should
736 be adopted. Using this method, plants are set two (2) meters apart from each other and
737 can accommodate 2822 hills/ha or 322 hills more than the square method. This is usually
738 done when planting abaca in coconut farm.
28
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Annex G
739 (Informative)
740
741 Fertilizer requirement and rate of application
742
743 Table G.1 – Recommended fertilizer and time of application
744
Time of Application
Months after Planting Number of bags Recommended fertilizer
(MAP)
Ammonium sulphate
0 2
[(NH4)2 SO4]
Ammonium sulphate
8 4
[(NH4)2 SO4]
Complete fertilizer
21 4
(14-14-14 NPK)
745 For established farms, complete fertilizer should be applied once, before or after the rainy
746 season at the rate of ¼ kg per hill or 12 bags per hectare per year.
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747 Annex H
748 (Informative)
749
750 Insect pests and diseases of abaca
751 Table H.1 - Feeding habits and control of insect pests
Insect Characteristics Control measures

Clean sanitation; gather, chop and
spray corms of harvested stalks
with any suitable insecticide; Baits
Larvae prefers feeding of freshly cut abaca stalks may be
directly on corms of laid then destroyed; avoid exposure
Root or corm weevil
young than on mature of corms to the insect.
(Cosmopolites
abaca plants Soak seedpieces or suckers in
sordidus Germar)
appropriate insecticide; apply
granular insecticide at the root
zone of the plant in a radius from
45 to 50 cm around the
pseudostems
Using protective glove handpick the
larvae and kill; cut the infested
Larvae feeds directly
leaves; collect and destroy the
Slug caterpillar on leaves producing
cocoons around the base of the
(Thosea sinensis numerous holes
plant ; use of natural enemies like
Walker) Seasonal during dry
birds and chicken; and spray with
spell
contact insecticide the infested
plants at 7-10 days interval
Banana aphid Sap feeding insect;
Spray with green labelled
(Pentalonia vector of abaca bunchy
pyrethroids;
nigronervosa top and banana bract
Coquerel) mosaic
752
753 Table H.2 - Sign, symptoms and control of abaca diseases

754
Disease Symptoms/ features Control measures
Mottling of leaves; green to Roguing of infected plants;
Abaca mosaic yellowish pale green on
(caused by potyvirus, both sides of the midrib Weedicides are effective in
Abaca Mosaic Virus, running to the margin of eradicating infected plants
transmitted by two the leaves;
principal non-persistent or Limited growth, thin Disinfect the tools used in
stylet-borne aphid vectors pseudostem and of little or the eradication before and
under field condition no commercial value after using.
namely
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Corn aphid, Rhopalosiphum Transmissible by aphid
maidis (Fitch); vector and mechanically
Cotton aphid (Aphis
gossypii Glover) A single aphid is capable of
Other vectors: transmitting the virus
Soybean aphid (Aphis within 15 seconds
glycines Mats.);
Water lily aphid Transmitted sequentially
(Rhopalosiphum Abaca to abaca; abaca to
nymphaeae (L.)); corn vice versa; grass virus
Citrus aphid (Toxoptera to abaca and vice versa
citricidus Kirkaldy
Oat bird –cherry aphid
Rhopalosiphum padi/
prunifoliae
Green bug (Schizaphis
graminum (Rondani)
Grass aphid (Schizaphis
cyperi van der Goot
Transmitted mechanically
Crowding of the leaves
Do not transport abaca,
into more or less rosette
banana and their relatives
Abaca bunchy top arrangement; transparent
or parts and of soil from
(caused by Banana/Abaca appearance of the main
infected areas to disease –
Bunchy-top virus) and secondary veins of the
free one; Use clean and
persistent virus leaves; stunted growth,
disease planting materials
transmitted by the Banana leaves are stiff, brittle and
Rogue infected plants
aphid (Pentalonia tear along the margin, curl
immediately once the
nigronervosa Coq.) upward and dry up
disease is observed.
f. typica (Musaceae); Infected plants may
Use weedicide for the
f. caladii (Araceae) remain alive for two years
eradication of infected
but gradually become
plants
smaller and die
Abaca bract mosaic Stringing of young leaves Rouging of infected plants;

(caused by Banana Bract with chlorotic stripes; Use herbicide in the
Mosaic (BBrMV) Spindle-shaped chlorotic eradication of infected
Aphid vectors: streaks parallel to the vein; plants
Banana aphid (Pentalonia Greenish to yellowish Spray green –labelled
nigronervosa Coq.); streaks or spindle shaped insecticide; practice
Cotton Aphid (Aphis lesions in the petioles; regular indexing
gossypii Glover);
31
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Corn Aphid Dark reddish brown
(Rhopalosiphum maidis mosaic pattern on the
Fitch) bract of inflorescence;
Spindle streaks on dead
leafsheaths
Inward curling of the leaf
Abaca wilt
blades or near the tip of Sanitation; eradication of
(caused by Fusarium
the lower leaves and slow diseased clumps;
oxysporium Schelecht. var.
growth; drooping of disinfection of tools used
cubense Wr. & Rkg
leaves, leaves turn from as well as shoes and hands
yellow to brown and new of the worker
leaves wilt. Apply with fungicide;
Quarantine
Wilting of the plant; Destruction of entire
reddish discoloration of severely infected fields.
the vascular bundles
The affected stems turned
Abaca sheath rot
brown and water soaked
(caused by Marasmiellus
in appearance and the Eradication of diseased
inoderma (Berkeley)
infected leafsheath are plants; use of disease free
Singer
easy to remove, pale plants planting materials and
(grows favorably under
and stunted , the outer wider spacing
high temperature and
leafsheath and leaves
moisture condition
become dry.
Pinhead lesions on the Rouging of infected plants;
outer leafsheaths, lesions irrigate during the dry
enlarge and coalesce and season; field sanitation;
Abaca pseudostem rot become depressed at the remove dead and diseased
and leaf spot middle; dark-brown oval- leaves, timely harvest,
(caused by Deightoniella oblong blemish on the proper distancing and
Torulosa (Syd.) Ellis pseudostem and results of fungicide application
the girdling and (Bordeaux mixture)
weakening of the stem and Plant shade trees in high
break arid areas
32
5th Working Draft
755 Annex I
756 (Informative)
757
758 List of basic personal protective materials for handling and application of organic
759 and inorganic inputs
760
761 Application of pesticides:
762  Work clothes, overalls or long-sleeved shirt, and long pants made from a heavy
763 material
764  Respirator with a special filter (in accordance with the characteristics of the
765 agrochemical used)
766  Head protection (cap or hat)
767  Unlined nitryl gloves that cover at least halfway up each arm
768  Vinyl back protector in cases when a backpack sprayer is used
769  Unlined rubber boots
770  Face screen or goggles with indirect ventilation designed for chemical substances
771  Socks
772  For aerial fumigation, raingear, coat or other similar waterproof protection
773
774 Fertilizer application:
775  Work clothes, overall or long-sleeved shirt and long pants
776  Apron
777  Unlined nitryl gloves
779  Socks
780
781 Collection of agrochemical spills:
783  Respirator with a special filter in accordance with the agrochemical’s
784 characteristics
787
788 Handling materials impregnated with pesticides (bags, plastics, plant materials, tests,
789 etc.):
791  Respirator with a special filter (in accordance with the agrochemical’s
792 characteristics)
794
795
796
33
5th Working Draft
797 ANNEX
798 (Informative)
799
800 Banned and restricted pesticides in the Philippines
801
802 Table J.1 - List of banned pesticides
2, 4, 5-T HCH/BHC
Aldrin Heptachior
Azinphos ethyl Leptophos
Chlordane Mercuric fungicides
Chlorodimeform Parathion methyl
Copper aceto-arsenic (paris green) Parathion ethyl
DBCP 1-Naphthythiourea (ANTU)
DDT Nitrofen
Dieldrin Organodin
EDB Sodium fluoroacetate
Elemental phosphorus (White and yellow) Sodium fluoroacetate (1801)
Endrin Strychnine
EPN Thalium sulphate
Gophacide Toxaphene
803
804
805 Table J.2 - Restricted pesticides
806
All users cancelled except for malaria control purposes by
DDT
the Department of Health
Restricted for Institutional use only. Approval of use will be
Paraquat based on strict compliance by the imported/end-user of the
requirements act for its use.
Phenamiphos
Entropop For use in banana plantations only
methidation
Inorganic Arsenicals For use by FPA accredited wood treatment and wood
(Arsenic Trioxide) preserving plants only.
The only allowed use to date is on pineapple plantations by
Lindane (Gamma/BHC)
soil pre-plant application
For use in wod treatment only by FPA accredited wood
Penthachlorophenol
treatment plants and institutions
Not for use in paddy rice culture. Concentration be lowered
Endosulfan
to 5% EC or lower for other uses
Monocrotophos Allowed use is for bean fly control only
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Methyl bromide
Carbon disulphide
Phosphine generating
compounds
Adequate time for acration is required after treatment
HCN generating
before commodities are processed into food or feed.
materials
Carbon tetrachloride
Chloroform
Ethylformate
Importation not allowed except in cases of emergency as
Aldicarb
determined by the authority
807
808
809 Table J.3 - Status of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

810
Aldrin Banned
Chlordane Banned
Restricted
DDT All users cancelled except for malarial
control purpose of DOH
Dieldrin Banned
Endrin Banned
Heptachlor Banned (never registered)
Hexachlorobenzene Banned (never registered)
Mirex Banned (never registered)
Toxaphene Banned (never registered)
Dioxins Not regulated by FPA
Furans Not regulated by FPA
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Not regulated by FPA
Hexabromobiphenyls Not regulated by FPA
Polyromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Not regulated by FPA
35
5th Working Draft
Annex J
811 (Informative)
812
813 The components of IPM include the following activities:
814 A. Modified cultural practices
815 1. Establishment of abaca farm. Observe proper distance of planting Establish a new
816 abaca farm 500 meters away from possible source of inoculum such as mosaic,
817 bunchy top, provided that adjacent farms are inspected to be disease free.
818 2. Follow land preparation techniques. Plowing and harrowing of the farm destroy
819 insect, diseases and weeds and prevent the growth of weeds, which are likely to
820 harbor viruses and serve as breeding places of insects.
821 3. Use clean and disease-free planting materials. This is as the first line of defense
822 against pathogen. Follow the recommended distance of planting. Overcrowding
823 enhance the development of pathogen, especially fungi.
824 4. Plant trap plants. Banana, gabi and other alternate host plants of aphids can be
825 planted along the borders of the farm to divert pests from the major crop. This
826 activity should be accompanied by weekly indexing and immediate removal of
827 diseased plant. Remove or rogue the infected plants at the early stage of the
828 disease, even when only one leaf shows symptoms of infection. For aphid
829 monitoring, inspect the base of the stalk and unfurl the youngest leaf of the suckers
830 to guide in making decision whether to use insecticidal spray or allow the
831 naturally occurring biological agents to regulate the population.
832 5. Intercrop. Plant appropriate short season crops during the first one and one half
833 year of establishment of abaca to control the growth of weeds, diversifies available
834 habitat, and disrupts the reproduction of pests. This practice also provides
835 additional source of income to farmers.
836 6. Practice sanitation in the farms. Remove unnecessary dried leaves because they
837 are fire hazards in the plantation. They also favor the growth of fungi, bacteria and
838 insects. They impede the growth of suckers due to the limited penetration of
839 sunlight. Cut leaves can be mulched to preserve moisture in the soil and keep
840 down the growth of weeds. Disinfect tools used in cutting and eradication of
841 diseased plants to avoid spread of mechanically transmitted viral diseases such as
842 abaca mosaic and abaca bract mosaic.
843
844 B. Farmers training and information campaign on IPM
845 Their benefits are:
846
847 1. Provide information on abaca insect pests and disease cycle, symptoms, and
848 control measures.
849 2. Provide information and introduce beneficial insects naturally found in the abaca
850 farm.
36
5th Working Draft
851 3. Advocate regular disease indexing and monitoring of the insect pests. Conduct
852 training on the proper handling of chemicals, formulation, methods of application
853 and proper disposal of emptied containers. Provide protective gears and create
854 awareness on prohibited practices while in spray operation.
855
856 C. Regulatory control
857
858 Observe Abaca Zonification Law RA 1176 of 1954, prohibiting the planting of corn within
859 500 meters to declared abaca planting areas. Abaca planting materials should not be
860 transported from declared diseased to disease-free areas.
861
37
5th Working Draft
862 Annex K
863 (Informative)
864
865 Recommended abaca stripping knives
Table K.1 – Normal grades of hand- and spindle-stripped abaca fiber with respect
to stripping knife used
Grade Description
Alphanumeric Knife used
Name Stripping / Cleaning
grade
EF
Mid current
S-EF
S2
Streaky two Excellent 0 serration
S-S2
S3
Streaky three
S-S3
I
Current
S-I
G 24 serrations per
Soft seconds Good
S-G inch
H
Soft brown
S-H
JK
Seconds
S-JK 17 serrations per
Fair
M1 inch
Medium brown
S-M1
38

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PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD PNS/BAFS xx:____

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Abaca

10 2 Scope, use, and terms and definitions

24 2.3 Terms and definitions

25 For the purpose of this Code, the following definitions apply:

210 3 Primary Production

211 3.1 Production Site

226 3.1.1 Topography and climate

227 Abaca is recommended to be planted in either sloping or rolling, hilly or mountainous

232 3.1.2 Soil

235 Other considerations are listed in Annex B.

236 3.2 Agricultural inputs

242 3.2.1 Abaca planting materials

243 Various planting materials such as tissue-cultured plantlets, corms/seedpieces and

254 3.2.2 Fertilizers and pesticides

269 3.2.3 Farm tools and implements

274 3.3 Land preparation

286 3.3.1 General clearing

291 3.3.2 Layouting/ laying out, staking and holing

295 3.3.2.1 Planting orientation, distance and density

303 3.3.2.2 Staking and holing

307 3.3.3 Planting of shade trees

314 3.4 Planting

329 3.5 Maintenance and sanitation

339 3.5.1 Ring weeding and underbrushing

344 3.5.2 Replanting of missing hills

349 3.5.3 Fertilizer application

369 3.5.4 Pest and disease management

376 3.5.4.1 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

383 3.5.4.2 Pesticide application

398 When insecticidal spray is necessary, the recommended dosage of green-labelled

401 3.5.4.3 Biological control

413 3.6 Harvesting

428 3.6.1 Topping

433 3.6.2 Tumbling

437 3.6.3 Tuxying

443 3.6.4 Pre-classification and hauling

465 4.2 Spindle stripping

482 4.3 Decortication

493 4.4 Disposal of extraction wastes

497 5 Drying and bundling

498 5.1 Drying

509 5.2 Bundling

521 6 Storage and transport

524 6.1 Storage

529 6.2 Transport

536 7 Establishment: design and facilities

543 7.1 Stripping area

551 7.2 Drying area

558 7.3 Storage area

563 8 Treatment and working conditions for farmers

566 8.1 Conditions on labor

576 8.2 Health, safety and welfare of workers

587 9 Documentation and records

619 Halos, S. C. (2008). The Abaca. DA. Biotechnology. pp. 1-32.

625 Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, Gesellschaftfur International

638 Sustainable Agriculture Network. (2010). Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Red de

659 Risks of planting abaca seeds

751 Table H.1 - Feeding habits and control of insect pests

Insect Characteristics Control measures

753 Table H.2 - Sign, symptoms and control of abaca diseases

Abaca bract mosaic Stringing of young leaves Rouging of infected plants;

809 Table J.3 - Status of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)