CONCEPT NOTE
Academic–Industry Collaboration
Development of a Sustainable Agarwood Plantation with Digital Traceability
Mindoro State University (MSU) – Alcate Campus
Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Proponent: Crown Agri Group Inc.
Lead Contact: Manuelito R. Putong
- BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) is one of the world’s most valuable non-timber forest products, widely used in perfumery, traditional medicine, incense, and high-value essential oil production. With increasing global demand—particularly in the Middle East and Asia—there is a growing need for scientifically managed, traceable, and sustainably produced agarwood.
Mindoro State University (MSU), with its strong mandate in agriculture, forestry, environmental science, and rural development, is strategically positioned to become a regional center for agarwood research, plantation management, and value chain innovation in the MIMAROPA region.
This Concept Note proposes the establishment of a research-based agarwood plantation at MSU – Alcate Campus, integrated with a Digital Traceability System to ensure transparency, compliance, sustainability, and premium market positioning.
- PROJECT OBJECTIVES
General Objective:
To establish a Sustainable, Research-Oriented Agarwood Plantation with Blockchain-Enabled Digital Traceability at MSU, serving as a model for academic–industry collaboration, climate-smart agroforestry, and high-value crop commercialization.
Specific Objectives:
- Establish a demonstration and research plantation of Aquilaria spp. within MSU.
- Develop joint research programs on:
- Seedling production and tissue culture propagation
- Organogenesis and clonal improvement
- Myco-resin induction and inoculation systems
- Soil health and agroforestry integration
- Integrate a Digital Traceability Platform for full lifecycle tracking.
- Provide hands-on learning, thesis, and internship opportunities for students.
- Develop future value-added pathways including resin grading and essential oil extraction.
- Create a long-term revenue-generating agroforestry asset for MSU.
- PROJECT COMPONENTS
A. Establishment of Agarwood Plantation
• Site identification and land preparation within MSU property
• Initial planting of Aquilaria malaccensis and/or other suitable species
• Recommended density: 1,000–1,200 trees per hectare
• Integration with agroforestry systems (e.g., nitrogen-fixing trees, intercrops)
• Development of irrigation, nursery, and maintenance systems
The plantation will function as:
- A research field laboratory
- A training and demonstration site
- A future commercial resin-producing asset
B. Research and Academic Integration
Proposed collaboration areas:
• Tissue culture and clonal propagation research
• Resin induction protocol trials
• Soil microbiome and biofertilizer studies
• Carbon sequestration and ecosystem services analysis
• Socio-economic impact assessment for farmer adoption
Students from Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, and Agribusiness programs may engage in:
• Thesis and dissertation projects
• Field internships
• Laboratory-based experiments
• Agro-enterprise feasibility studies
C. Digital Traceability System (Agarwood Digital Identity Framework)
To ensure premium market access and sustainability compliance, the project will integrate a Digital Traceability Platform powered by a blockchain-based system.
Each tree will have a unique digital identity containing:
• GPS location data
• Date of planting
• Seed source or clonal origin
• Fertilization and management records
• Inoculation date and method
• Harvest data
• Resin grading information
• Chain-of-custody documentation
Key Features:
- QR Code Tagging System
Each tree or harvest batch will be linked to a QR code for scanning and verification. - Blockchain Ledger Integration
Immutable recording of plantation and harvest data to prevent fraud and illegal sourcing. - Compliance Readiness
Supports CITES documentation and DENR regulatory compliance. - Market Advantage
Enables MSU-produced agarwood to qualify for premium buyers seeking legally sourced, sustainable, and traceable products. - Research Data Repository
Provides structured long-term datasets for academic analysis and publication.
This digital traceability system positions MSU as a pioneer in transparent, science-based agarwood production in the Philippines.
- IMPLEMENTATION PHASES
Phase 1 – Planning and MOA Finalization (0–3 months)
• Site assessment and technical planning
• Signing of Memorandum of Agreement
• Plantation design and digital system architecture
Phase 2 – Nursery and Planting Establishment (3–12 months)
• Seedling production and procurement
• Land preparation and planting
• Digital tagging and database initialization
Phase 3 – Research & Monitoring (Year 1–5)
• Growth monitoring and data collection
• Experimental inoculation trials
• Student research integration
• Community training programs
Phase 4 – Resin Induction & Pre-Harvest Phase (Year 5–7 onward)
• Structured inoculation protocols
• Traceable harvest documentation
• Resin grading and potential oil extraction partnerships
- EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Academic Outcomes:
• Peer-reviewed research publications
• Enhanced university research profile
• Student capacity-building in high-value crop systems
Environmental Outcomes:
• Reforestation and biodiversity enhancement
• Carbon sequestration and climate mitigation
• Sustainable land use model
Economic Outcomes:
• Long-term revenue stream from resin harvest
• Premium pricing through traceable sourcing
• Potential technology licensing and consultancy services
Institutional Impact:
MSU becomes a Regional Center of Excellence in:
• Agarwood Science
• Agroforestry Innovation
• Digital Agricultural Traceability
- PROPOSED COLLABORATION STRUCTURE
The partnership may include:
• Land provision by MSU
• Technical expertise, planting materials, and digital system support from Crown Agri Group Inc. and partners
• Joint research governance committee
• Revenue-sharing model to be mutually agreed upon
• Intellectual property and data-sharing provisions under formal agreement
- CONCLUSION
The establishment of a digitally traceable agarwood plantation at Mindoro State University represents a transformative opportunity to merge science, sustainability, technology, and enterprise.
This initiative will not only create a living research laboratory but also position MSU at the forefront of high-value perfumery crop development in the Philippines—while ensuring transparency, compliance, and global market readiness through blockchain-enabled traceability.
We respectfully submit this Concept Note for consideration and look forward to discussing this strategic collaboration in greater detail.
Prepared by:
Manuelito R. Putong
Crown Agri Group Inc.
Christine Village 4, Brgy. Biga
Tanza 4108, Cavite, Philippines
Email: putzagarwoodfarm@gmail.com
Website: putzagarwoodfarm.com
Contact No.: +63 46 418 9530