Rattan processing and
marketing in Africa:
technology needs for a
sustainable industry

A. Oteng-Amoako and
B. Obiri-Darko

A. Oteng-Amoako and
B. Obiri-Darko are senior staff
members of the Forestry Research
Institute of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana.

Advances in processing, transformation and promotion are essential if Africa's share of international trade in raw and finished rattan products is to be increased.

The rattan production-to-consumption system in most producing countries of Africa is a low-input and labour-intensive system. After collection from the natural forest, rattan is processed into different products at village and urban centres using simple tools. The products are then sold in urban and rural domestic markets, usually in the open along roadsides.

Furniture, shopping and laundry baskets and serving trays are the major products from urban areas, while carrier and storage baskets are the main products at the rural level. The quality of finished products is variable. In general, the highest-quality products are produced in Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and the United Republic of Tanzania; in other African countries the industry is very rudimentary.

The quality of a rattan product depends mostly on the quality of the raw material, the ingenuity of the weaver, the efficiency of the tools and equipment used and the use of other inputs such as finishes and varnishes.

Raw material. For a quality finished product, rattan weavers prefer mature stems with long internodes, devoid of discoloration, fungi and insect damage and of seasoning defects such as shrinkage, cracks and splits. Other requirements for quality include uniform diameter (absence of tapering) and glossy or bright colour.

Primary processing. In Africa, raw rattan is processed manually; removal of the skin (epidermis) using simple domestic knives is followed by drying in the open air with little or no preservative treatment. Raw materials treated in this way are often marred and infested with fungi and borer insects. The greatest processing needs are, therefore, simple but efficient scraping tools and effective preservative methods to protect raw rattan from biological hazards. The Southeast Asian method of enhancing raw material by boiling green rattan in diesel or coconut oil should be investigated for possible adoption in Africa.

Transformation into finished products. Research on desired physical properties such as ease of bending, sanding, glue bonding, drying and bleaching is essential for production of quality finished products. Techniques that merit further evaluation for the indigenous species of Africa include the use of steam to bend rattan (to replace blowtorches which leave scorch marks), the use of staples and dowels instead of nails and liberal application of varnish on finished products. Transfer of technology in regard to product designs and the use of modern processing machines from Southeast Asia may be necessary.

Promotion. Appropriate grading and standardization of raw rattans and their products should be introduced in order to develop the market for quality rattan products.

Better packaging of graded products is essential, as is bulk transport of goods to reduce costs. Display or promotion centres for the exhibition of finished products and the sale of raw rattan could be beneficial to rattan producers and processors. Promotional fairs and advertisements - organized by national rattan associations in collaboration with export promotion councils and small-scale industries of rattan-producing countries - could be effective means of increasing public awareness.

Relaxation of trade restrictions and export levies could serve as an incentive for primary stakeholders to boost market supply. Rattan entrepreneurs should be encouraged through sponsorship to attend international trade fairs to exhibit their products. Market research should be conducted periodically to ensure fair and equitable prices for the commodity in the international market.