The Department of Science and Technology- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) is looking into the possibility of tapping forest vines as possible source of raw materials for the country’s handicrafts.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the FPRDI is undertaking a project on forest vines as a possible source of raw materials for Philippine handicrafts.
"The study is prompted as the Philippines, being the second largest world producer of handicrafts, is now experiencing problem on export due to insufficient supply of raw materials and stiff competition from other handicraft producing countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand,” he announced on the DOSTv Facebook page on Friday, May 28.
He said the FPRDI team zeroed in on how to regrow and propagate forest vines in Bicol plantations to enable large-scale production.
"They determined the volume and location of significant forest vines in the Bicol region and studied factors affecting their natural growth and regeneration,” the DOST chief said.
He said the team also looked into the evaluation of the nutritional requirement, preferred environmental condition and appropriate propagation techniques of forest vines.
"All the information generated by the project are inputted in the database. Results of this project provides valuable information in ensuring sustainable supply of commercially important forest vines and thus, offer additional source of income for many people,” de la Peña said.