Rattan R&D is key to sustainability

By Tricia R. Javier
MediaCore, PCARRD

The Philippines is blessed with 64 species of rattan.  Filipinos are fortunate to enjoy the elegance of rattan furniture and handicraft.   Many foreigners meanwhile import rattan furniture and decors.

Twelve of the 64 rattan species have commercial value.  Estimates showed that in 1998, the Philippines had 4.6 billion combined lineal meters of rattan poles in different diameters.  Export earnings from rattan furniture reached P118 million in 2000.

In spite of the huge rattan resources, the country still imports rattan to supplement local demand.  This is because present rattan utilization pattern will deplete supply of local and global markets if production is not augmented.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development in one publication dealt with the problems, strengths, status, and directions of rattan R&D.

 PCARRD disclosed in its publication called “R&D Status and Directions: 2000 and Beyond-Bamboo and Rattan” that the industry is weak in resources and raw material production, marketing and trade, institutional and policy support, and utilization and processing.

The PCARRD bamboo and rattan committee, which drafted the publication is composed of private and government entrepreneurs and researchers concerned about rattan resources.

The committee believes that rattan remains a strong industry in that any stem of a commercially important species is worth harvesting.  It recommended that rattan stands be strictly protected within reserves and harvests be controlled by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Local people's participation is also recommended to develop rational management and harvesting strategies.

The committee believes that rattan has great potential as a small hold crop and as part of social forestry schemes or community-based forest management programs.  Rattan cultivation leaves forest cover intact and maintains biodiversity.

To improve the industry, PCARRD recommends priorities in rattan R&D in resource management, utilization, technology development, promotion and commercialization, economics and marketing, and strengthening of policy.