WHAT if I told you there’s a tree that turns its wood into something more valuable than gold—and farmers in Bohol are cashing in?
Governor Aris Aumentado, serving his second term since 2022, has prioritized agriculture-driven economic development in Bohol, focusing on value-adding crops to uplift Boholano farmers. There’s a growing need to shift from traditional low-value farming crops to high-value and sustainable alternatives (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2023).
The answer may lie in agarwood.
The Scented Wood Worth More Than Gold
Agarwood—locally known as “Lapnisan” or “Oud”—forms when Aquilaria trees are infected by certain fungi, causing the production of dark, aromatic resin inside the heartwood (Sourabh et al., 2020, Journal of Forestry Research).
Here’s where your eyes should widen: premium agarwood chips fetch ₱250,000 and up per kilogram, while high-quality oil commands over $30,000 per kilogram (International Agarwood Conference Report, 2024). Each mature tree produces 1-3 kilograms of chips.
Do the math.
The global agarwood industry, valued at over $6 billion worldwide, is projected to grow at 8.5% annually through 2030 due to surging demand in the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia (World Agarwood Association, 2023; MarketWatch, 2024).
Three Species, One Golden Opportunity
The Philippines cultivates three main Aquilaria species. Aquilaria malaccensis is most common, listed in CITES Appendix II due to vulnerability (CITES, 2023). Aquilaria cumingiana is native to the Philippines but less commercially developed (DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau, 2023).
Local planters I know have experimented with both, while some explore Aquilaria crassna. We’re not following a single path—we’re exploring every avenue to success.
The non-negotiable: seedlings must come from DENR-accredited nurseries, and that nursery must issue you a copy of their accreditation (DENR Administrative Order No. 2023-08). Illegal wild harvesting threatens wild populations, making sustainable plantation farming essential (TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2023).
The Business That’s Rewriting Rural Economics
Trees mature in 5-7 years. The process: cultivation, inoculation (fungal infection to induce agarwood formation), harvesting agarwood chips, then oil extraction via distillation (FAO, 2023). The challenge is the waiting period—intercropping with short-cycle crops sustains income during initial years (Department of Agriculture, Philippines, 2024).
Bohol’s Awakening
The momentum is building. This grassroots movement crystallized in February 2025 with the formation of the Bohol Agarwood Planters Association (BAPA). The association is growing as more farmers recognize this golden opportunity.
But imagine if the provincial government stepped up with dedicated agarwood training programs and seedling subsidies. Picture private sector partnerships that could fast-track technology transfer and open direct market access for Boholano farmers. The infrastructure for transformation is within reach—it just needs the political will.
BAPA’s plans include establishing a communal processing facility, adopting improved inoculation techniques via research collaborations with UPLB and DOST, and forming export partnerships (BAPA Strategic Plan, 2025).
My Personal Stake in This Revolution
As I prepare my small lot for agarwood planting, I don’t mind if someone gets ahead of me. What matters is that many Boholanos understand this opportunity exists—that we don’t have to accept the decades-old modest expectations of traditional farming.
One planter I know is inoculating his trees as they reached 3 years. This is where ordinary wood starts its transformation into liquid gold.
This industry is barely five years old in the Philippines, with only one exporter so far. Training programs have been conducted in Misamis and other parts of the country, but knowledge is still spreading.
Think about it: when young people see that a single mature agarwood tree can generate more income than an entire season of traditional crops, farming suddenly becomes attractive again.
Your Roadmap to Liquid Gold
The path is clear. Select healthy seedlings from accredited nurseries (get that accreditation copy!), use proper spacing of 3 meters by 3 meters, inoculate after 3 years, and maintain regular pest management (DENR and DA Guidelines, 2024).
Patience is critical—first harvestable agarwood occurs around year 5, making intercropping essential during the waiting period (FAO Agroforestry Manual, 2023). Local government units and BAPA provide ongoing support including technical training, seedling subsidies, and market access.
The Transformation Awaits
Agarwood presents a transformative opportunity for Bohol’s agricultural landscape by combining economic upliftment and ecological sustainability. With continued government support, organized farmer groups like BAPA, and market development, the Bohol agarwood sector is poised for significant growth over the next decade (Philippine Business Monitor, 2025).
The question isn’t whether agarwood farming works—the premium chips selling for ₱250,000+ per kilogram prove it does. The question is whether you’ll be part of this transformation or watch from the sidelines as others plant their way to prosperity.
Every day you delay is a day closer to harvest that you’re not preparing for. The trees are waiting. The market is hungry. The opportunity is now.
Will you plant your future, or will you keep waiting for someone else to show you the way?
(For comments, email lucelllarawan@gmail.com).
