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Divina, Felen II

Lalap, Gherlee Nelle

Rosas, Ronald Melvin

Torino, Mharicar

Water Hyacinth Fiber Stripping Machine

INTRODUCTION

In the past few years, one problem of certain major water systems of the

Philippines is the water hyacinth (locally known as “water lily”). News shows the

problem brought by water hyacinth especially on areas on Mindanao that is not regularly

visited by storms. This is also the plant blamed for flooding Cagayan de Oro where

many lives were drastically changed due to that disaster. Another problem brought by

water hyacinth is it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Water hyacinth is a perennial plant which strives in water bodies like rivers and

lake. Although this plant was treated as pest, this is also a good opportunity for some.

Water hyacinth is a plant known for its fiber. Hence it provides livelihood for people

around water bodies.

RATIONALE

Water hyacinth is still treated pest wherein it can be a source of income for some

who lived near water system. The stalk of this plant can be a good source of fiber

usually used for crafts. Generating a mechanized way of extracting the fiber can

optimize the operation of water hyacinth processing. Also, fiber stripping machine for

water hyacinth can be used for development of other stripping machine for other fibrous

commodity.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In some part of the Philippines, water hyacinth is being used as livelihood for

some cooperatives and foundation which have concern with water systems. Recently,

this plant unfortunately and indirectly damage structures and became the primary

reason for flooding in Cagayan de Oro. People were devastated by the flood simply

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because Mindanao is not frequently visited by typhoons. Water hyacinths clogged the

water bodies causing rise of water level. Another disadvantage of water hyacinth is that

it blocks the entry of oxygen to the water causing lower mortality of organisms beneath

the water (Tacio, 2011).

There are three possible ways of controlling the “pest” plant: biological, chemical

and physical. Chemical means of removal of water hyacinths is least preferred due to

long-term foreseen effects of chemicals. Physical control is the use of machines to solve

the problem in short-term basis because of the fast growth rate of the plant. Biological

control is widely preferred according to experts for long-term control because it provides

economic and sustainable control of the water hyacinths (Tacio, 2011).

For crafts, the water hyacinth is being used to produce bags, woven products,

paper, yarn and fiberboard. It can also be used as fish feeds for Tilapia and fertilizer

which increases soil fertility and eventually crop yield. It also can be used for green

charcoal (http://nagacentralschool1-waterlily.blogspot.com/p/focus-study.html, 2011)

 Abaca fiber extraction was mechanized for the past years. One machine that can

be found www.vsu.edu.ph is a portable engine-powered abaca spindle stripping

machine, which can be modified to be a multi-fiber stripping machine especially for

water hyacinth.

REFERENCES:

Tacio, H. (2011, June 27). Water Hyacinth: Its pitfalls and potentials.  Retrievedfrom http://pnej.org/?p=377, Date of Retrieval: July 11, 2012.

http://www.vsu.edu.ph/narc/technologies/strip/stripping%20machine.htm

http://nagacentralschool1-waterlily.blogspot.com/p/focus-study.html

http://pnej.org/?p=377http://pnej.org/?p=377