1. Overview & Vision
Mission:
CI-ASASE is established to advance the agarwood (Aquilaria) industry through cutting-edge scientific research, cultural and artisanal expression, and sustainable, enterprise-driven development. The Institute bridges academia, agribusiness, and local communities to create a traceable, ethical, and profitable agarwood value chain.
Vision:
To be the leading regional center (Philippines / ASEAN) for agarwood innovation — recognized for its research excellence, sustainable production, and culturally grounded entrepreneurship.
2. Strategic Goals
- Scientific Research & Development
- Develop and refine agarwood inoculation techniques (e.g., fungal, biotic, abiotic) to maximize resin yield and quality.
- Collaborate with universities, biotech firms, and government agencies on tissue culture, organogenesis, and propagation protocols.
- Establish analytical facilities (e.g., GC-MS) for agarwood resin and oil profiling.
- Sustainable Cultivation & Environmental Stewardship
- Promote plantation-based agarwood production on certified lands, reducing pressure on wild Aquilaria.
- Develop agroforestry models integrating agarwood with other native species to boost biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
- Provide technical assistance to smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and community-based plantations.
- Art, Culture & Value-Added Products
- Support artisan production of agarwood-based incense, carvings, perfumes, and wellness products.
- Document and revive traditional uses and cultural practices associated with agarwood in the Philippines / Southeast Asia.
- Organize exhibitions, workshops, and training programs for craftspeople and designers.
- Enterprise & Market Development
- Build a vertically integrated business model: from nursery to harvest, resin induction, extraction, to finished goods.
- Facilitate market access domestically and internationally, focusing on luxury fragrance markets (Middle East, Europe, etc.).
- Promote fair-trade, traceability, and ESG-compliant agarwood products.
- Education & Capacity Building
- Offer training programs for farmers, students, and entrepreneurs in agarwood science, business, and art.
- Publish technical manuals, research papers, and extension materials.
- Partner with academic institutions for internships, R&D, and outreach.
3. Organizational Structure
- Board of Advisors: Composed of botanists, perfumers, agroforestry experts, and business leaders.
- Research Division: Scientists and lab technicians working on propagation, inoculation, and chemical analysis.
- Field Operations Division: Manages plantations, demonstration farms, and farmer outreach.
- Artisanal & Cultural Division: Designers, craftsmen, and cultural historians working on product development.
- Commercial / Business Unit: Sales, marketing, extraction, regulatory compliance, and export.
- Education & Outreach: Training, extension services, and community programs.
4. Market Opportunity & Justification
- Global Demand: Agarwood (oud) is a high-value commodity in the luxury fragrance and incense markets. The global agarwood industry continues to grow.
- Philippine Advantage: The Philippines hosts Aquilaria species and has favorable climate conditions.
- Sustainability Trend: There is rising demand for sustainably sourced agarwood and transparency in value chains.
- Regulatory Compliance: Engaging in legal, plantation-based agarwood production aligns with CITES and DENR regulations.
- Research Gaps: There is need for R&D in efficient inoculation, tissue culture, and extraction to make agarwood production more reliable and scalable.
5. Social & Environmental Impact
- Conservation: By promoting plantation production, CI-ASASE helps reduce illegal wild harvesting.
- Livelihoods: Supports farmers, especially smallholders and cooperatives, with technical capacity and market access.
- Cultural Revitalization: Encourages the cultural and artistic use of agarwood, preserving traditional knowledge.
- Carbon Sequestration: Agarwood plantations can contribute to climate mitigation through biomass growth.
- Education: Building local expertise in agroforestry, biotech, and sustainable business.
6. Business Model & Revenue Streams
- Research Grants: Funding from government, NGOs, and research institutions.
- Consulting Services: Technical assistance for plantation developers and farmers.
- Product Sales:
- Agarwood chips, oil, incense, carved products.
- High-value, traceable agarwood-based luxury goods.
- Training & Workshops: Paid courses for farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans.
- Partnerships & Licensing: Licensing of proprietary inoculation technology, tissue-culture protocols, or brand collaboration.
7. Risk & Mitigation
- Regulatory Risk: Non-compliance with DENR / CITES → ensure strict legal framework, permits, and traceability.
- Technical Risk: Low yield or failure of inoculation → invest in R&D, field trials, and iterative protocols.
- Market Risk: Volatile demand / price → diversify products (oil, incense, artisanal) and establish long-term buyer contracts.
- Financial Risk: High upfront capital for plantations and lab facilities → phased approach, seek grant funding, PPPs.
8. Milestones & Roadmap (First 5 Years)
| Phase | Key Activities | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Establish core team, research lab, demo farm | Secure seed funding; pilot inoculation trials |
| Year 2 | Expand propagation, start farmer partnerships | Onboard first 50 ha of demonstration / partner farms |
| Year 3 | Develop product line, begin extraction | Small-scale extraction facility; launch artisanal incense / oils |
| Year 4 | Scale operations, training programs | Run workshops; establish farmer training network |
| Year 5 | Market expansion & sustainability certification | ESG / sustainability certification; export-ready products |
9. Partnerships & Stakeholders
- Academia: Universities for R&D and capacity building.
- Government: DENR (regulatory), agricultural agencies (extension).
- Private Sector: Plantation developers, fragrance companies.
- Farmers & Cooperatives: Local communities, smallholders.
- NGOs / Development Agencies: Conservation, sustainable business development.
10. Financial Snapshot (Hypothetical)
- Initial Capital Investment: For lab setup, demo plantation, staffing.
- Operational Costs: Research, field operations, training.
- Projected Revenue (by Year 5): From product sales + services + training.
- Break-even: Likely to require 3–5 years, depending on scale and R&D success.