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Rattan (Cane) Harvesting and Utilization in Nigeria

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  025002,  2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.9219) @2002
Authors:   Abel Olajide Olorunnisola,
Keywords:   Rattan, furniture, manufacturing, Nigeria

Poverty alleviation which involves, among other things, raising the welfare of the poor by enhancing their income generating potentials, has been the main thrust of the economic policy of the Nigerian government within the last two decades. Previous studies in Nigeria have shown that microenterprises and small businesses are crucial to the livelihood strategies of the poor. This paper presents the findings of a random sampling survey of 20 respondents involved in the small-scale production of rattan (cane) furniture in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the technologies adopted in the harvesting, collection, preservation, and utilization of rattan, particularly for furniture making. Findings indicated that ages of the 20 respondents surveyed, who were all males, ranged from 25 to 40 years, the median age being 35 years. The three most common species of rattan being employed by all the respondents were Calamus dearatus, Eresmophata macrocarpus and Oncocalamus wrighmus. These were being obtained from the swampy mangrove forests around the country. All the respondents, operating largely as craftsmen, were employing similar manual tools and methods for rattan collection, preprocessing, and furniture manufacturing. Rattan furniture products being marketed were also largely similar and included a wide variety of bedroom, dinning, living room, occasional, office, infant, and garden furniture. The average annual sales figure reported by each of the respondents was $1,795.00. In view of its positive socio-economic contributions to the national economy, it is recommended that urgent attention be given to the regulation of exploitation, and research into, proper utilization of rattans in the country to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

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