AGARWOOD NURSERY. Aside from his three Agarwood nurseries and farms in Palawan, Danilo 'Tito’ Virtudazo, has a small nursery that houses 5,000 Agarwood seedlings in Pangayawan, Gitagum, Misamis Oriental. (Photo by Kjay Edurot)
MindanaoToday.com | Free seminar on Agarwood set on Nov. 21 here in Iponan, CdO
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Agarwood known locally as Lapnisan is the world’s most expensive tree. It is found only in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
Vietnam and Thailand are the countries that have cornered the market for this wood, whose price ranges from P24,000 to P750,000 per kilogram, depending on the quality.
Vietnam and Thailand already have thriving Agarwood industries, while in the Philippines, Agarwood farming is just starting. Most Agarwood trees in the country are still in the forests, and cutting them is considered illegal as this expensive wood is considered endangered.
Since the pandemic, Agarwood farming has started to thrive in the country, and nurseries and Agarwood farms have sprouted all over the archipelago. In spite of this, the Agarwood market is so huge that more farms and farm experts are needed to cope with the demands of the world market.
The market for Agarwood essential oil alone as of the moment is $264 million and it is expected to grow by $432 million by 2024. But Agarwood does not produce essential oil alone. It is also used in perfumes, aromatherapy, and medicines. There is even extensive research now that Agarwood essential oil can be used to cure cancer.
In Misamis Oriental, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City, Agarwood production, management, and marketing will be introduced to a small number of farmers, investors, and people who would love to increase their future income to a 10th fold on Nov. 21st, 2024.
Veteran farmer, agriculturist, and considered Agarwood expert Danilo Virtudazo is coming to town to conduct a seminar on Agarwood Production, Management, and Marketing from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21, 2024, at the Carlyle’s Cafe and Dinner inside the Chamen Resort in Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City, just in front of the Bloomingdale Subdivision.
The seminar will be free and all participants will get one free seedling each. Registration however is P1,000 to pay for the meal and the venue.
The 73-year-old Danilo Virtudazo has a long list of resumes as a consultant and manager for various food and farming companies, Local Government Units, People’s Organizations, International Organizations, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Agrarian Reform. His specializations are Agricultural and Forest Development Manager, Community Organizer, and Project Conceptualization.
Virtudazo has also worked as a consultant in Columbo, Sri Lanka, on organic tea and coconut product development. He was also trained in Thailand on-site development of Agarwood and Sandalwood. He visited Agarwood plantations in Thailand, where he learned inoculation, harvesting, and processing.
Since 2018, Virtudazo has developed his own Agarwood nurseries and plantations on three different sites in Palawan. He is not contented with his nurseries and plantations as his passion for developing the Agarwood industry in our country is impressive. He also owns the only Agarwood oil processing plant in the country located in Palawan.
Age does not stop this tireless farmer as he goes around the country to conduct inoculation services on Agarwood farms. He also teaches farmers seedling materials preparations, land development, inoculation, harvesting, and processing.
Born and raised in Pangayawan, Misamis Oriental, ‘Uncle Tito’ as his family calls him now, finished his BS in Agriculture studies, at the Central Mindanao State University in Musuan, Bukidnon. His first job was at the Department of Agriculture, where he was sent as a Philippine Government scholar to Pennsylvania State University, in Pennsylvania, USA, specializing in Farm Management.
While in the US, Virtudazo also studied Poultry and Livestock Management at the Modesto Agricultural University in Modesto, California. He also studied Project Conceptualization and Monitoring in UP Los Banos, Laguna.
He inherited his passion for farming from his father, Simeon Virtudazo, a teacher and a coconut farmer from his birthplace, Pangayawan, Gitagum, Misamis Oriental.
Currently, he owns the Tree of Life Nursery and Farm, which he will soon change into a Diversified Systems Venture Foundation on Agriculture, Resources, Management and Services (DSV Farms), based in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The farm is a TESDA-accredited farm school providing training qualifications on Organic Agriculture Production NC II. It also provides TESDA trainings on Organic Poultry Production, Organic Small Ruminants Production, Organic Vegetables Production, and Production of Organic Concoctions and Fertilizers. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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