The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), has launched a comprehensive support program to develop the agarwood industry in Naval, Biliran.

Also in partnership with Roving Agriventures Incorporated (RAI), the initiative was formally introduced on Wednesday, highlighted by the signing of a memorandum of understanding that solidifies the partnership between key government agencies and the private sector.

Aimed at building a sustainable, science-driven and high-value agarwood industry, the program seeks to generate livelihood opportunities while promoting responsible resource management across the province, the DOST regional office said in a statement Thursday.

Under the deal, DOST-FPRDI will spearhead research, technology transfer and specialized training. DOST, through its field office in Biliran, will coordinate science, technology and innovation-related activities across the region, while RAI will focus on sustainable farming practices and community engagement, which is aligned with its advocacy to “transform lives, one tree at a time.”

As part of the launch activities, participants received an orientation on agarwood development initiatives and fragrance profiling, along with hands-on training on liniment and balm production.

“These capacity-building efforts aim to prepare farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises to produce value-added products for the medicinal and cosmetic industries — helping boost local incomes and strengthen livelihoods,” the DOST regional office said.

In the country, the first class agarwood is traded at PHP750,000 per kilogram. The resin-embedded wood is valued in Arabic-middle eastern culture for its distinctive fragrance and used for incense and perfumes.

Agarwood is a fragrant dark resinous wood and is used as incense, perfume ingredient and also in small carvings. Agarwood forms when such trees as Lapnisan and Lanete become infected with a type of mold. (PNA)