1. Global Rattan Programme Weaving a network of global partners Andrew Benton Manager, Networking and Partnerships Unit Coordinator, Global Rattan Programme, INBAR Michael KwakuRegional Coordinator, West Africa, INBAR Prof Zhu ZhaohuaEx-INBAR Deputy Director general and member of INBAR for life

2. Why rattan? ●Light, flexible and easy to shape type of “wood”, that holds its shape. ●Abundant in many tropical parts of the world (until recently). ●Has been used to make furniture and baskets since before Roman times (2000+ yrs ago) in Europe and other regions.

3. Rattan resources ●Over 600 species found in Asia and Africa, but not (naturally) in Latin America. ●Climbing palms and need trees to climb up – they are components of tropical forests, and suffer when these are under threat. ●Long “gestation” period – at least ten years from planting to harvest. ●Many species are not “cut and come again”, unlike bamboos.

4. Rattan producers ●Estimates vary, but up to a million in Asia. ●Division of labour very clear – harvesters (men) and processors (men and women).

5. Rattan markets Furniture dominant: Global exports of rattan furniture in 2007 were over US$1.8 bn in 2007. ●Almost US$1 billion from Asia, 7 million from Africa, and a remarkable 750 million from Europe. ●Asia exported 720,000 tonnes of which 160,000 tonnes went to Europe. ●Europe exported 225,000 tonnes. Others: ●Baskets US$273 million, mats US$8 million (world)

6. Main problems ●Unsustainable harvest of natural rattan resources ●Lack of suitable proven cultivation methods ●Limited technical processing capabilities of stakeholders, and non-environmentally friendly materials for preservation. ●Dearth of proven successful instances of community development with rattan.

7. Main problems ●Limited diversity of existing products - though innovative products are recently being developed. ●Limited effectiveness of rattan-related policies. Indonesia’s ban on exports an exception in the short term.. ●Limited understanding of rattan-related issues by consumers. ●Commercial (i.e. big-business) interests predominate, poor producers have limited voice.

8. INBARs work to 2008 6 Living collections established - China (44 species, 9 varieties); India (55 species, 2 varieties); Indonesia (46 species, 36 varieties); Malaysia (13 species); Thailand (28 species). 4 Germplasm collections established - Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka. 1 Regional seedbank - Malaysia. 9 Taxonomy and resource surveys - China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. 1 Study on new tissue culture methods - Malaysia. 3 Studies on seed technologies - China, India, Sri Lanka. 2 Studies on molecular markers - Malaysia, Thailand. 5 Studies on reproductive biology and genetics - China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand. 2 Studies on propagation of exotic species - India, Sri Lanka. 2 Publications.

9. INBAR’s work to 2008 Rattan Germplasm - Introduction and Evaluation in Cuba (1998 – 2004) Trained Cuban rattan practitioners, improved cultivation of introduced Calamus tetradactylus and Daemonorops pierii, plus introduction and cultivation of Calamus manan with all species producing viable seeds, production of training materials in Spanish, review of potential for rattan in other Latin American countries. Management and utilization of rattan resources in Nepal (1998-2000) Income from rattan increased 20 fold for the beneficiaries (from a total of 3000 USD to 60,000 USD by project end) as a result of improved management of rattan. National sectoral studies Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda. Policy study Cameroon

10. Hainan Project (China) ●Impact: Improved resource base; private rattan nurseries, rural collectors directly linked with producers - resulting in increased price to collectors (from 1USD to 1.5 USD per kg); ●User-rights policy in 7 villages giving use to villagers (now incorporated into the farmland retirement scheme for rattan plantations); ●Establishment of rattan furniture company employing 50 people; ●Continuing major investment by local forestry bureaux in rattan plantations after project completion.

11. Awareness and training materials Transfer of Technology Models (TOTEMs) – great for awareness raising and for the basics of technologies. Technology pages – shortened TOTEMs (also on FAO’s TECA). Technical publications eg “Considerations in rattan inventory practices in the tropics”, “New research on African rattans”…

12. Global Rattan Programme ●Established 2008 ●Aims to provide: 1. focus; 2. impetus and; 3. supports for effective pro-poor rattan-based development.

13. Project activities Assessment of the feasibility of rattan processing and marketing for income generation in West Africa (CFC-funded) - Ghana and Togo ●Increased capacity of target communities to develop rattan processing technologies for sustainable income generation ●Increased recognition of rattan processing as an option for developing opportunities and replicating the project through project proposal for rattan-based development in West-Africa

14. Outputs and outcomes Training in product processing Natural colouring Creating a Ghana identity…

15. Meetings ●Global Rattan Workshop – Asia (Haikou, Hainan island, China, 2008). ●Bamboo and Rattan Workshop for West and Central Africa (Yaounde, Cameroon, 2009). ●Opportunities for Asia – Africa partnerships

16. Future ●Develop practical Africa – Asia technology and experience sharing projects… ●Develop Global Rattan Network for member government institutions, donors, technical organizations…..