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Although the abaca industry
has long been established, it is still plagued with problems.
These include:
- Low farm income productivity;
- Onconsistent fiber qualtiy;
- Limited markets; and,
- Relatively high prices vis-a-vis.
The Philippines' continued dominance
in the abaca business is also threatened by several factors and
conditions, among which are:
- The serious interest of and
aggresive efforts by Indonesia to develop its own abaca production
through massive plantations;
- Pirating of Filipino technology
and technical personnel to Indonesia;
- Reported expansion of abaca
hectarage in Ecuador, as well as better, more consistent quality
and cheaper Ecuadorian abaca;
- Persistent and difficult to
control pests and disease (particularly viral) infestations;
and,
- Trade liberization/globalization.
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