Filipino farmers will gain from income and employment opportunities from developments that stimulate demand for natural fibers in the global market, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said Monday.

The public and private sectors, Secretary Yap said, acknowledged the deep social and economic impact of natural fibers as their concern over the harmful effects of chemicals in man-made fibers grows.

“Cultivation, processing, marketing and export of natural fibers sustain the income and livelihood projects of poor Filipino farmers and their dependents, keep industrial and commercial workers on the payroll, and earn foreign exchange for the economy,” he said.

This is the reason why the Second International Arts and Crafts Expo of the Asean Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (Ahpada) and the International Conference on Business Opportunities in Natural Fibers are relevant to the country’s efforts to alleviate poverty, Secretary Yap said.

He urged the agriculture, manufacturing, trade, science, education, social, transportation and finance sectors to participate in the two events from October 26 to 28, at the Philippine Trade and Training Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

The expo, he said, creates face-to-face contacts, disseminates market information, and triggers networking among buyers and sellers of raw materials, processed goods, and services in one place.

The forum, meanwhile, will result in a set of recommendations by the conferees of natural fibers.

The trade expo and business forum are part of the country’s contribution to the declaration by the United Nations general assembly of 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibers.

Cooperatives, chambers, retailers, merchandisers, exporters, manufacturers, fashion designers, academe, students may contact the secretariat, Philippine Small and Medium Business Development Foundation (Philsmed) at 392-75-50 (Ava Puzon), 834-29-94 and 0916-374-6692 (Mobie Regalado) or email ahpadaexpo@yahoo.com.

The Department of Agriculture is a lead partner in organizing the expo along with the Philippine Tourism Authority, Aphada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Duty-Free Philippines, Ambiance by Pido (Event Stylist), Cebu Pacific, PLDt-SME Nation, Manila Bulletin and Lupel Marketing..

Yap said the use of natural fibers has been expanding as industrial raw materials for the making of clothing, car accessories, textiles, handmade paper and sheets, converted items, fibercrafts, furniture, upholstery, pulp and specialty paper and cordage.

Among the Philippine natural fibers are abaca, pina, cotton, maguey, salago, ramie, kenaf, coconut coir, banana, buri, and water hyacinths.

Some 20 Asia-Pacific countries are sending delegations. Aside from the Philippines and Asean countries, participating are the China, India, Korea, Mongolia, Maldives, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United States.

At the Department of Agriculture, the Fiber Industry Development Authority is at the forefront of research and development of technologies for new and superior industrial applications for natural fibers.

The Department of Science and Technology, through the Philippine Texile Research Institute, will showcase latest developments in their maguey fiber project.

The expo will be open to the public from October 26 to 28, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Philippine Trade and Training Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Great prizes await lucky visitors.