A standard protocol in the propagation and cultivation of the Philippines Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is being eyed to be established under the partnership agreement signed between the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) and the Non-Timber Forest Product-Exchange Programme Philippines (NTFP-EP Philippines).
In a Facebook post, the DOST-PTRI said though its NatDyes Center in Bicutan, Taguig, it forged a partnership with the NTFP-EP Philippines through its six communities in four regions, which will serve as research sites.
These are Rizal (Calabarzon), Palawan (Mimaropa), Occidental Mindoro (Mimaropa), Aklan (Western Visayas), Antique (Western Visayas), and Bukidnon (Northern Mindanao).
“The agreement aims to establish and develop a standard protocol in the propagation and cultivation of the Philippines Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) to enhance the indigo production and utilization through the textile application in the six identified research sites,” the DOST-PTRI said.
“Data profiling on the variations across the six communities on natural indigo and other natural dye sources will be used in establishing a framework for the standardization & authentication to protect the communities and industry from adulteration and misrepresentation,” it added.
Funded by the DOST-Grants-in-Aid (GIA), the project zeroes in on colorimetric and performance standardization of NatDyes produced in various NatDyes hubs in country. It is part of the Natural Dyes and Colorants Research and Development (R&D) Program.