Science and technology officials and local executives formally inaugurated the Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub in a village in this town on Monday, a facility expected to generate up to P9 million in annual income while creating new livelihood opportunities.
The project promotes sustainable banana fiber production in the province by converting agricultural waste into durable raw materials for textile use, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Cagayan Valley regional director Virginia Bilgera said on Monday.
Workers at the facility will process raw banana byproducts into natural textile fibers that can be used for fabric production, tapping the abundance of banana farms in Benito Soliven and nearby areas.
“As production scales up, we will also forge partnerships and encourage more farmers to engage in banana farming to ensure a steady supply of raw materials,” Bilgera told the Inquirer.
The hub is projected to produce 10 to 40 kilos of treated or spinnable fibers daily, with an estimated market value of P2,613.88 per kilo.