Coconut fiber provides an immediate remedy to soil erosion, flooding

A product made from coconut fiber can provide an immediate remedy to soil erosion and flooding.

The product is called Geotextile, one of those featured in the Agraryo Trade Fair 2005 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall.

Geotextile is manually processed from the fiber of the coconut husk, which is turned into twine and woven together to form the final product. Geotextile comes in one meter by 10 meter mats costing P1,200 apiece.

Solomon Pioero, who comes from Old Poblacion, Maitum, Sarangani and a member of the Fleischer Estate Integration Multipurpose Cooperative (FERIMCOM) which makes the product, says Geotextile prevents soils erosion by laying the coconut fiber mat over slopes of hills or mountains. FERIMCO is composed of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Pioero explains that while a barren mountain is in the process of reforestation, the Geotextile gives protection against erosion and imminent flooding. "Hindi mo na kailangang tanggalin ang geotextile habang tumutubo ang mga tanim," he says. He adds that the Geotextile acts as a fertilizer as it decomposes and mixes with the soil within five to ten years.

"The municipality of Glan in Saranggani is using Geotextile," Pioero says. "Lake Cebu in South Cotabato has placed an order for the product," he adds. Geotextile is also used to prevent riverbank erosion.

While Pioero is hopeful that their product provides instant solution to erosion and flooding, FERIMCO has only 15 personnel who may not be able to meet future demands. At present, they make Geotextile only upon order.

Pioero is also worried that if coconut husks do not come free anymore, their profit margin may go down. FERIMCO procures coconut husks from farmers in the community at no cost. According to Pioero, husks are considered waste so they get it at no cost. "Hindi ko alam ang mangyayari kapag bibilhin na naming ang mga bunot," he adds.

Five hundred coconut husks produce 60 kilograms of the fiber. A 1m x 10m Geotextile is made from 11 kilograms of fiber.