Rattan: Current Research Issues and Prospects For Conservation and Sustainable Development

Seven hundred million peolple worldwide use rattan. The global use of rattanis wotrth over US$ 2 billion and the external trade of rattan is estimated to generate US$ 4 billion. But the huge economics of social importance of the rattan sector is based on a fast dwindling stock of wild rattan resources available in the forests. This volume contains the outcome of the Expert Consultation on Rattan Development, held in 2000. The report includes a summary of discussions, recommendations and background papers and is organized according to the four thematic areas considered by the consultation: resources, uses and present action programmes; country reports on the status of rattan resources and uses in Africa and Asia; review of policy, institutional and socio-economic aspects governing the rattan sector; and identification of and discussions on required actions to enhance the sustainable development of the rattan sector.