RATTAN

RATTAN FACTS
Rattan belongs to the palm family (Arecales or Palmea) Found from sea level up to 3,000 m

Around 600 species and 13 general of rattan Native to the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia Grows in hilly tropical areas, with a mean annual temperature of 25 C and an annual rainfall of 2,000 mm. Different types; High or low climbers, single stemmed or clustered rattan species. Rattan sheaths have spines for protection, along with whips that are also covered with spines.

WHY RATTAN?

Helps to protect forests from degradation

By providing a source of income to rural people, it allows them to become stewards and guards of their forests and biodiversity

Provides habitat for endangered and threatened species

Ensures a long-term supply of a useful material

RATTAN IN MALAYSIA
104 species, belonging to 8 genera, are found in the forests of Malaysia (Appendix 1). Only 21 of these species, however, are currently utilized and marketed (Dransfield, 1979).

SPECIES Calamus manan C. caesius C. scipionum

LOCAL NAMES Rotan manau Rotan sega Rotan semambu

USES Furniture Binding and weaving basket ware Walking sticks, umbrella handles

C. ornatus
Korthalsia spp.

Rotan dok
Rotan dahan

Cheap furnitures
Cheap furniture, broom handles

Major commercial rattan species in Malaysia Source: Department of Forestry, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah

RATTAN IN MALAYSIA
RATTAN PLANTATIONS
RATTAN PLANTATIONS

REGION

LOGGED-OVER FOREST
4,046.4 224.0 9,760.3 14,030.7

RUBBER SMALL HOLDINGS

984.4 0 600.0 1,584.4

TOTAL

PERCENTAGE

P. Malaysia Sarawak Sabah Total

5,030.8 224.0 10,360.3 15,615.1

32.2% 1.4% 66.4% -

Areas planted with rattan in Malaysia, 1980-1990 (hectares) Source: Ministry of Primary Industries

RATTAN IN MALAYSIA
RATTAN HARVESTING
In Peninsular Malaysia, a license is required to harvest rattan from the forest.

Undertaken normally by the aborigines in Peninsular Malaysia and the natives in Sabah and Sarawak.

Rattan harvesting is usually carried out by male members in the local community.

Cash advances are normally obtained from middlemen before harvesting. The middleman is also important in providing financial assistance when the villagers are short of cash. Rotan manau (C. manan) is the normal cane harvested as it fetches the highest market value compared to others. Each member's share of rattan collected depends on the number of canes carried home by him even though all members helped to harvest the canes. An adult male normally carries 20-25 raw canes. The price of rattan manau offered to villagers depends on the grade (size and quality) and the distance of the village from the main road. Larger diameter canes fetch a higher price than smaller canes. If a village is located relatively near to the main road, a higher price is offered as the middleman incurs a lower transportation cost.

RATTAN IN MALAYSIA
RATTAN HARVESTING
Stage 1. After harvesting, the raw canes are transported and stored near roadsides or in the villages.

Stage 2. The canes are sold to middlemen. The prices offered are influenced by transport distance and the grade of rattan. Normally, the price of a mature stick of 2.7 meter manau cane is RM3 (US$ 1.20). A lower price is offered to the harvester if the storage site is relatively far away or the canes are of lower grades

Stage 3. Oil curing, saw dusting and drying. To improve the appearance and finish of rattan products, the raw canes are processed by curing, i.e. boiling with a diesel/coconut oil mixture. This curing process has the following advantages: it removes the waxy or gummy/mucilageous substance for better appearance; it creates a golden yellow or white colour; and it rapidly reduces moisture. After oil curing, the canes go through the process of saw dusting which smoothes the canes and improves the glossiness of the surface. The canes are then sun-dried.

Stage 4. The dried canes are sold to manufacturers for making furniture and other cane products.

Stage 5. Rattan products are sold in local markets or/and exported.