Agarwood Cultivation & Sustainable Farming

Agarwood Cultivation & Sustainable Farming Course

Agarwood has always been more than a tree.
It is a living symbol of resilience — a silent forest sentinel capable of transforming stress into something rare, fragrant, and deeply treasured. For centuries, its secrets were guarded by nature, whispered through ancient trade routes, and understood only by those who walked the forest with reverence.

Today, the future of agarwood is no longer in the wild.
It is in the hands of a new generation of growers, visionaries, and land stewards who believe that prosperity and sustainability can coexist.

The Agarwood Cultivation & Sustainable Farming Course was born from this belief.

At its heart lies a commitment to restore balance — between science and tradition, between economic ambition and environmental responsibility, between what we extract from nature and what we return to it.
This course redefines agarwood farming as a climate-smart, traceable, and community-empowering enterprise, built on the foundations of ecological wisdom and modern biotechnology.

We bridge field experience from upland communities with breakthrough research in organogenesis, inoculation science, and agroforestry design. We teach farmers the value of ethical practices. We prepare entrepreneurs for global markets. And we equip local governments, cooperatives, and plantation managers with the strategies needed to build resilient, compliant, and profitable agarwood enterprises.

Ultimately, this course exists for one purpose: to shape responsible custodians of the next generation of agarwood plantations.

Every seedling planted, every inoculation done with care, every community trained, and every sustainably produced kilogram of resin — becomes part of a larger story:
A story of restoration.
A story of livelihood.
A story of hope for forests and farmers alike.

This is the promise of the Agarwood Cultivation & Sustainable Farming Course:
Not just to teach how agarwood is grown
—but to inspire how its cultivation can uplift ecosystems, empower communities, and build a sustainable, globally respected Philippine agarwood industry.

Full Course Syllabus

MODULE 1 — Introduction to Agarwood – Foundations of the Industry & Ecology

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the biology, ecology, and species diversity of Aquilaria.
  • Recognize global and ASEAN agarwood market dynamics.
  • Appreciate sustainability, conservation, and legal frameworks.

Topics:

  1. What is Agarwood? Formation, resin biology, and cultural history.
  2. Aquilaria species overview (native Philippine species, introduced spp.).
  3. Ecological significance & role in forest ecosystems.
  4. Value chain overview: chips, oil, incense, perfumery, wellness.
  5. Global & local market: demand, supply, pricing patterns.
  6. CITES, DENR regulations, permits, licensing, and ethical trade.

MODULE 2 — Site Selection & Farm Planning – Designing a Sustainable Agarwood Plantation

Learning Objectives:

  • Select ideal climate, soil, and terrain for Aquilaria.
  • Design agroforestry-based layouts for productivity and biodiversity.

Topics:

  1. Climate parameters (rainfall, elevation, wind, microclimates).
  2. Soil analysis: pH, texture, drainage, organic matter & amendments.
  3. Land assessment: slope, shade, accessibility, water sources.
  4. Plantation layout: density, spacing, cluster vs linear planting.
  5. Agroforestry integration: nitrogen-fixing species, shade trees, intercrops.
  6. Irrigation systems: low-cost to advanced drip options.

MODULE 3 — Propagation & Nursery Management – Ensuring High-Quality Planting Material

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn propagation via seeds, cuttings, and tissue culture.
  • Manage a nursery for strong, disease-free seedlings.

Topics:

  1. Seed selection, viability testing, sterilization.
  2. Tissue culture (micropropagation & organogenesis) overview.
  3. Nursery setup: shade nets, humidity, watering, root development.
  4. Hardening & acclimatization protocols.
  5. Nursery pest/disease management.

MODULE 4 — Plantation Establishment & Maintenance – Tree Health, Growth, and Productivity

Learning Objectives:

  • Implement field planting, maintenance, and canopy management.
  • Apply organic/sustainable inputs for rapid, healthy growth.

Topics:

  1. Planting techniques: timing, hole preparation, mulching.
  2. Fertility management: compost teas, mycorrhizae, organic fertilizers.
  3. Weed control: manual, mulching, cover crops.
  4. Pruning systems and canopy management for resin formation.
  5. Pests and diseases in the plantation and their control.
  6. Monitoring schedules (monthly, quarterly, annual).