Through the DOST-FPRDI intervention, the rubber farmers in Zamboanga Sibugay, particularly the members of the Tambanan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative , started utilizing old and unproductive rubberwood trees to produce and sell furniture pieces of high quality.
“Zamboanga Sibugay locals are accustomed to using senile rubberwood trees for low-value products such as fuel wood, pallets and crates. Through the DOST-FPRDI project, they learned to make high-value products which could sell for a competitive price,” Engr. Victor G. Revilleza, project Leader, said in a statement.
“Rubberwood has good qualities suitable for making furniture, packaging materials and other wooden products. It has white to pale cream color, which when dried becomes light brown. Its reasonably good strength properties make it a durable material for furniture,” Revilleza said