R&D Collaborations for Philippine-Endemic Aquilaria Species

(Aquilaria apiculata, A. citrinicarpa, A. parvifolia, A. urdanetensis)

To establish a strong research and development (R&D) collaboration for these rare and endemic agarwood species, key partnerships and structured initiatives are required. Below is a strategic roadmap for R&D collaborations involving government agencies, academic institutions, private sector investors, and global research organizations.


Key R&D Focus Areas

1️⃣ DNA Barcoding & Genetic Research

???? Partner Institutions:
University Research Centers (UP Los Baños, DOST, DENR-BMB)
International Botanical Institutions (Kew Gardens, CITES, TRAFFIC, ITTO)

???? Objectives:
✅ Confirm species identity & genetic variations
✅ Study agarwood resin formation potential
✅ Develop a gene bank & seed bank for conservation

???? Potential Funding Sources:
✔ DENR Research Grants
International Conservation Grants (CITES, ITTO, UNDP, WWF, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity)


2️⃣ Sustainable Cultivation & Plantation Development

???? Partner Institutions:
DENR, DA (Department of Agriculture), PCAARRD
State Universities (Visayas State University, UPLB, CMU, MMSU, ISU, CLSU, MSU)
Private Plantations & Growers’ Cooperatives

???? Objectives:
✅ Optimize growth conditions for endemic species
✅ Develop sustainable agroforestry models
✅ Study carbon sequestration & ecological impact

???? Investment & Grants:
✔ Agroforestry R&D grants (ADB, World Bank, USAID)
✔ Carbon credit financing (Green Climate Fund, ESG funds)


3️⃣ Agarwood Inoculation & Resin Induction Research

???? Partner Institutions:
De La Salle University (DLSU Biotech), UPLB Biotech, ITDI-DOST
International Biotech Labs (Japan, Malaysia, Thailand)

???? Objectives:
✅ Develop biotech-based inoculation techniques
✅ Optimize resin formation for higher-quality oud oil
✅ Reduce tree damage for sustainable oud oil extraction

???? Potential Funding:
✔ DOST-PCIEERD Biotech Research Grant
✔ ASEAN Biodiversity Fund


4️⃣ Oud Oil Extraction & Product Development

???? Partner Institutions:
DOST-ITDI (Industrial Technology Development Institute)
Private Essential Oil Companies & Perfumery Labs

???? Objectives:
✅ Study supercritical CO₂ extraction for high-purity oud oil
✅ Develop Philippine Oud as a branded global product
✅ Test unique fragrance & medicinal properties

???? Potential Industry Partners:
Luxury perfume brands (Amouage, Tom Ford, Arabian Oud, Louis Vuitton, Dior)
Wellness & aromatherapy brands (Young Living, DoTerra, Ajmal Perfumes)


???? Proposed Collaboration Model

???? Multi-Sector Partnership Model

1️⃣ Government & Academe – Scientific research, conservation grants
2️⃣ Private Sector (Investors & Brands) – Commercial scaling, product R&D
3️⃣ Farmers & Cooperatives – Plantation development & sustainability

???? Action Plan:
✅ Form a Philippine Oud R&D Consortium
✅ Establish pilot farms & nurseries for endemic species
✅ Secure international certification (CITES, Organic, Halal, Fair Trade)


Next Steps for Collaboration & Funding

???? Organize an R&D roundtable with DENR, DA, DOST, and private investors
???? Apply for biotech research grants & conservation funding
???? Develop an Agarwood R&D Center & Living Gene Bank in key agarwood-growing regions

Spread the love