Ragiwdiw weeds, once a farm nuisance, now a source of income

Ragiwdiw weeds, once a farm nuisance,
now a source of income
                                      By Emily Bordado

Weeds, as defined in the dictionary is any undesired, uncultivated plant growing in
profusion. But, weeds according to American poet and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson
are plants whose virtues have not been discovered.

 There is one kind of wild weed which grows in open wet marshlands and flood-prone
areas of Bicol whose potentials and value has already been discovered by local farmers.
Locally known as ragiwdiw or agas, this weed called seagrass (Rynchospora corymbosa)

        This weed grows prolifically in rice fields especially after harvest when the paddies
are left idle for fallowing. It grows to about one meter high with distinctly triangular stems
and leaves that are broad and long.

       Farm families in Bicol have learned to turn their adversity into opportunity by
transforming this nuisance plant into a thriving economic venture that provides additional

income for their families. Rural housewives and out of-school youths with their innate
creativity and ingenuity have crafted and fashioned a wide array of product line with
functional uses like trays, bags, slippers, hampers, mats and other decorative items.

       Ragiwdiw or agas craft making has evolved from an individual family economic
undertaking to a communal enterprise and village-level industry especially in the province of
Albay and Camarines.

        In San Fernando, one of the towns in Camarines Sur within the basin area ( because
these are usually submerged under water during rainy season), the Noora clan has turned
the pesky reeds that grow wild and in abundance in the marshy lands and flooded rice
paddies into a livelihood opportunity since 1989. Victor Noora would gather the leaves of
ragiwdiw and his wife Rosa with her bare hands, braid, weave and fashion these leaves
into slippers and bags. Soon it became a family affair – the men would gather the ragiwdiw
while tending to their rice fields, the children would help in braiding and dyeing and the
elder women do the sewing.

Soon the other families in the neighborhood were also engaged in the craft. Some
family would gather the leaves and braid them and sell these to the family of Tia Rosa who is
already getting orders from a number of souvenir shops from nearby Naga City. Dried
ragiwdiw leaves are sold at P40 per kilo; braided dried leaves at 65 centavos per meter or
P65 per 100 meters. A pair of slippers is sold at P25 to P45 and Bags are sold from P65 to
P85.

        The additional income for an average three household members is P200 daily. For
those who are into slipper and bag making a P15,000 net income per month per family is
realized from an average of 50 dozens monthly orders of assorted items.

A family of five or more would finish as much as 2 dozens of slippers the whole day till
midnight if there are orders. But normally a family could finish 1 dozen a day. These slippers
are brought not only in Naga City but even to major markets in Albay province.

        According to Tia Rosa, ragiwdiw leaves are easy to weave because they are longer,
lighter and softer and they retain their natural color when sundried immediately. Braiding
or “pagsalapid” is so easy to do, even children can do it while watching TV or chatting. Within
5 minutes one can braid a meter of ragiwdiw which is bought at P6.

        Benito Noora claims that ragiwdiw slippers are “healing slippers” as they have
relaxing effects on the sole because of the wedges formed on the upper sole of the
slippers. The unpleasant smell due to bacteria resulting from sole perspiration is also
eliminated as the perspiration are absorbed by the stalks which has a natural absorbing
capacity unlike rubber and leather slippers.

   In 2005, the Noora couple became one of the co-operators of the Palayamanan project.
They were given training to enhance their skills on handicraft making and they were provided
with the needed materials and equipment worth P19,000 which include 2 units sewing
machines, rubber soles (suwelas) dyes and rugby or cement paste.

         Palayamanan is a project of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of
Agricultural Research which provides assistance to farm families especially in marginal areas.
The name was coined from the word “palayan” or farm and “yaman” which means wealth
with the end view of making full use of the wealth of the farm . It promotes sustainable
utilization of farm waste and by-products and locally available materials into diversified
alternative livelihood and small scale enterprises.

        According to Luz Marcelino, superintendent of the Bicol Integrated Agricultural
Research Center (BIARC) and officer-in charge of the Research Division of the DA in Bicol, the
economic undertakings or interventions introduced were meant to complement and
supplement the existing livestock production system of the farm families. She said the Noora
couple was chosen to be among the beneficiaries of the project because they have showed
their resourcefulness, creativity and business sense by transforming farm waste into
something productive.

        With the financial and technical assistance from the DA the Noora couple earned an
additional income of about P50,000 from the ragiwdiw handicrafts during peak months which
is usually during the summer months. Victor Noora claims that a sizeable sum was also saved
by their family from cutback expenses usually spent on herbicides and labor cost for weeding.

MeanwhiIe, in the town of Libon in Albay province, ragiwdiw weaving had long been
practiced by women who derived additional income from this handicraft right in their homes.
In 1997, a group of 42 women and 3 men weavers organized themselves under the name
Del Rosario Handicraft producers Association (Delrohapa). Rey Seda was elected president of
the association because of his managerial skills and business knowhow and skills in design
making. Aside from Rey the two other male members were the ones making various ragiwdiw
products.

        With the assistance of the DTI the group was able to get a grant from the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) which included the provision of 5 units of spot
welding machines and a dryer worth P250,000 and other production equipment. They were
also able to construct a mini warehouse which also served as showroom for their product. The
association was doing well and in the year 2000 to 2002 had even exported some of its
products to Italy. But when super typhoon Reming hit the province in 2006 their equipment
including the newly installed dryer were destroyed. Moreover, most of the ricefields and
marshlands where they gather the reeds were also damaged. They could not cope with the
demands of their suppliers.

       The association decided to temporarily stop operations. But some of the members
continue to accept orders from local buyers. Lawina Sariola, 52, stll weaves ragiwdiw bags

which are bought by a buyer from Tabaco City. She can make an average of 4 bags a day
which she sells at P35 per bag. Meanwhile Rey Seda continueS to give lectures and shares
his knowledge and experiences on ragiwdiw production as he is often invited resource
person on this craft.

        Unlike the weavers from Camarines Sur, the ragiwdiw weavers from Albay make use of
the stalks. These, they fashion into floor mats mats, table runners, trays, simple boxes. They
also incorporate abaca fibers into their craft.

       Although this emerging industry show much promise and can contribute significantly
in generating additional income to farm families it is also faced with problems and threats.
The increasing volume and frequency of flooding in rice areas especially in Camarines Sur
and Albay provinces brought about by climate change has also damaged most ragiwdiw reeds
and subsequently their growth are also affected.

 The ragiwdiw weavers are using crude equipment and improvised moulders. They badly
need mechanical dryers and mini warehouses for storing the raw materials and finished
products. They also need more trainings on improving their products and labelling or
branding them. They need all the support not only from government agencies but also from
private sectors and other organizations.

This once nuisance weed ragiwdiw has proven its value and virtue as an alternative source
of income for farm families. The Noora family and those other farm families who have earned
income and sent their children through college by crafting and fashioning the once nuisance
weeds in their farms are hoping that ragiwdiw handicraft production will be sustained as a
viable enterprise.