Abaca in the Philippines: A Sustainable Marvel Weaving a Green Future

Abaca in the Philippines: A Sustainable Marvel Weaving a Green Future

By Julian Gehman

Introduction

Nestled within the lush landscapes of the Philippines lies a remarkable plant that is reshaping the sustainable landscape—the abaca plant (Musa textilis). Revered for its robust fibers and versatility, abaca is gaining recognition not only as a durable material but also as a sustainable one. In this blog post, we’ll unravel the eco-friendly qualities of abaca, exploring how its cultivation and utilization contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.

Abaca – The Eco-Champion

Abaca, often referred to as Manila hemp, is a species of banana native to the Philippines. The Philippines supplies about 87 per cent of the world’s abaca consumption.  Abaca truly is a sustainable marvel, thriving in tropical climates with minimal intervention.  Here’s how abaca emerges as an eco-champion in the realm of sustainability.

1. Abaca is Renewable and Fast-Growing

Abaca is a rapidly renewable resource with a short growth cycle. An abaca plant reaches maturity 18 to 24 months after it is planted.  It can then be harvested every three to eight months for 15 to 20 years.  During its 18-24 month growth period, the abaca plant produces runners or shoots that spread out across the ground and root at each segment.  Each root sprouts a “false trunk” or pseudostem about 6-15 inches in diameter that can grow to ten to 20 feet high.  The “false trunk” is composed of 12 to 30 overlapping sheafs of leaf stalks that are tightly wrapped together to form the pseudostem.  Abaca is harvested by cutting off the stems close to the ground but leaving enough for future growth.  This leaves intact the runner network across the ground and roots underground.  The roots regenerate new growth shoots that are available for harvest again in three to eight months. In this way, abaca is very renewable.

Most abaca is turned into pulp for paper mills that produce specialty paper products, such as currencies, tea bags, high-quality writing paper and Manila envelopes.  Abaca’s rapid growth renewal every three to eight months compares favorably to North American softwood trees that are also used for pulp in paper mills.  These trees typically are harvested by clear cutting.  New trees are then planted from seed and cannot be harvested again for up to a quarter century.  Abaca’s extensive runner and root network remain after harvesting, resulting in less environmental disruption than clear cutting a forest.  Moreover, trees are less efficient: it takes four tons of coniferous pulp to give the same product as one ton of abaca pulp, owing to abaca’s superior tensil strength and mechanical properties.

2. Abaca is Biodegradable

Abaca fibers are inherently biodegradable and compostable. Unlike synthetic materials that persist in oceans and landfills for centuries, abaca fibers break down naturally, returning valuable nutrients to the soil. This characteristic aligns with the principles of circularity and reduces the environmental burden associated with non-biodegradable alternatives.

During harvesting, abaca leaves are cut off and left on the ground.  These leaves quickly degrade into the soil, serving as organic fertilizer for the abaca farm.  The abaca fibers in finished products – paper products, textiles, ropes and cordage, and baskets and mats – also break down quickly and readily degrade into the soil.  

Until World War II, abaca was the primary material for rope and cordage, due to the extraordinary strength of abaca fibers and their long length.  During World War II, the then-recently invented nylon displaced abaca as the primary material for ropes and cordage.  Conventional nylon is not biodegradable and persists in the environment for centuries.  Discarded nylon ropes, nets, fishing lines and other products litter the oceans and landfills.  Abaca, with its time-to-biodegrade measured in weeks for leaves and months for finished products, compares favorably with the centuries-long persistence of polymers like nylon.  Moreover, nylon and other plastic-like materials emit microfiber pollution, which abaca does not do.

3. Abaca Benefits the Land

The root structure of abaca plants aids in soil conservation. The dense root network holds water and soil, preventing soil erosion.  This makes abaca cultivation beneficial for maintaining the integrity of landscapes and protecting against landslides in hilly terrains. This natural soil conservation feature enhances the overall sustainability of abaca cultivation.  This is particularly true for the monsoon-prone Philippines which suffers from deadly landslides in heavy rain.

Planting abaca also helps to minimize erosion and sedimentation in coastal areas, which are important breeding grounds for sea fishes.

Abaca is to be contrasted with other cash crops that can cause soil erosion.  Excessive plowing and the harvesting of many cash crops leaves the soil bare and susceptible to erosion by water and wind.  An extreme example was the Dust Bowl in the United States in the 1930’s.  However, as discussed above, abaca harvesting leaves intact the plant’s extensive root network.  This holds water in the soil and holds the soil in place on hillsides.   

Abaca is readily intercropped in rainforests and former single crop plantations, particularly coconut palms.  This helps with biodiversity rehabilitation.  As mentioned above, discarded abaca leaves serve as organic fertilizer which helps to rehabilitate soil depleted by monoculture.

4. Abaca Has Versatile Applications

Abaca is an incredibly versatile material, finding applications beyond traditional fiber production. In addition to being woven into textiles, abaca is used for handicrafts, ropes, and, as explored in our previous blog post, the crafting of handbags and purses. Abaca also substitutes for glass fibers in automobile parts and other industrial applications.  Its versatility enhances its value as a sustainable resource with multiple applications, minimizing waste and maximizing utility.

5. Abaca Supports Local Economies

Abaca growers truly are small farmers.  About 122,000 farms grow abaca in the Philippines.  The overwhelming majority of abaca growers are small farms, with the size of the average abaca farm being 1.6 hectares or nearly four acres.  There are just a few large farms or cooperatives in the Philippines with 10 to 100 hectares of abaca under cultivation.  Abaca growth and harvesting is labor intensive and mostly done by hand.  This helps to support rural employment.

The cultivation and processing of abaca contribute significantly to local economies in the Philippines. By supporting abaca cultivation, consumers support the livelihoods of small farmers and artisans engaged in the industry, as well as local communities, including indigenous ones. This economic empowerment strengthens local communities and contributes to sustainable development.

Conclusion

Abaca, the unsung hero of sustainable agriculture, embodies the principles of environmental responsibility and conservation. From its rapid renewal cycle to its water and soil retention, abaca stands as a testament to how a plant deeply rooted in Philippine soil can weave a greener and more sustainable future. As consumers increasingly seek eco-conscious choices, the sustainable qualities of abaca position it as a star player in the global shift towards responsible and environmentally friendly practices. Let’s celebrate the resilience and versatility of abaca, a natural fiber that not only threads together the rich tapestry of Filipino culture but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient planet.