Rattan Brings Hope to Indonesian Forests
Obtained from more than 300 different species of vine growing over the rainforests of Indonesia, rattan has been used for centuries by forest communities. As a dominant producer of rattan raw material, Indonesia has been trying to keep as much value as possible at home.
Forest communities harvest rattan and use it for daily life usages and as well as to create beautiful handicrafts and furniture products. The communities further protect the forest to secure the sources of rattan therefore ensuring the sustainability of their livelihoods. It gives arguments to fight against deforestation in Indonesia.
Social entrepreneurs of Indonesia are combining the traditional use of rattan and the modern needs by creating a fusion and taste that paves a way for a sustainable future for Indonesian forests and their inhabitants. The modern usage of rattan and the promotion of its industry lately with furniture, handicrafts and accessories can help to protect the rainforests.
The ban imposed in 2012 by the Indonesian government to stop the export of raw and semi processed rattan, encouraged local industries to process the commodity at home to gain values of the product that is being exported. The data issued by the trade minister revealed that the country's exports of rattan made products increased from 137.9 million in 2010 to 1.71 billion in 2015. The ban had a positive impact on Indonesia's rattan exports.
In 2017, the government again allowed the exports of semi finished rattan materials as well. This is due to the fact that country's export were relatively small compared to the access of raw materials and also as the export numbers had remained stagnant. By again allowing the export of partially processed rattan, it benefited both furniture and rattan producers.
Raw and semi-processed rattan is supplied from Islands such as Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumatra etc. These are then transported to the factories which are mostly located in Java. Rattan furniture manufacturing in Central Java Province is divided into its northern, coastal regions and its southern, inland regions. For our upcoming collection we will be manufacturing our collection in Jepara, which is a town located in Central Java. Jepara is a center of wooden furniture and woodcarving in general, but it is also where rattan is combined with wood to create outstanding products that have long been sought by importers across various countries.
Besides Central Java, large quantities of rattan is also manufactured in West Java in the Regency of Cirebon and East Java in and around the provincial capital of Surabaya.
Indonesia has one of the largest rainforest in the world, and Rattan can be found on every Island. This is a huge opportunity for Indonesia to increase its exports while continuing to supply the local market. The ultimate success is a strong step towards the preservation of the rainforests in Indonesia.