SWITCH-Asia

The Challenge

Rattan is one of the most important non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in international trade and contributes to 5.5% of Indonesia’s national revenue of forest products. As part of forest management and conservation, about 1 million tonnes of raw rattan is collected annually, out of which 90% comes from natural forests and the remainder from rattan cultivation. Harvesting rattan reduces illegal logging as villagers living near forests have other sources of income from rattan. Indonesia is the largest producer of rattan in the world contributing around 85% of the global market. However, conventional methods in collecting rattan can jeopardise forest conservation. Rattan manufacturers use harmful dyes that pollute the environment and use energy inefficiently. Overexploitation of rattan is partly due to weak legislation, poor law enforcement, limited public awareness, and lack of coordination among actors within the rattan supply chain.

The Objectives

The project aimed at contributing towards the development of sustainable production and consumption (SCP) practices in the rattan value chain in Indonesia, including promoting responsible collection of rattan and enhancing environmental protection. Specific objectives included:

• To promote sustainable production, processing and utilisation of rattan products;
• To increase awareness, capacity and collaboration among stakeholders in the rattan value chain;
• To improve learning, application and replication of best practice in the rattan sector.

The Way Forward

• Establishing or strengthening associations for farmers/ collectors in the three targeted rattan producing areas and strengthening existing production associations;
• Conducting training in rattan cultivation through creation of three demonstration sites in rattan-producing areas;
• Strengthening linkages in rattan value chain and building mutually beneficial business partnerships;
• Providing capacity building on sustainable rattan production for workers and managers in production centers;
• Conducting targeted communications activities to educate consumers and stakeholders about the benefits of using ecofriendly rattan products.

VIDEO 

PLAY