GROWING RATTAN COMMERCIALLY

GROWING RATTAN COMMERCIALLY

As we navigate the challenges of environmental sustainability, it's heartening to see a growing demand for eco-friendly products like rattan furniture and housewares. However, this surge in demand has also highlighted a pressing issue: the low supply of rattan raw materials.

The solution seems straightforward: plant more rattan. After all, we've witnessed the remarkable growth of interest in bamboo farming. Why can't we replicate this success with rattan? Both bamboo and rattan have their unique features and combining them in furniture making can create truly exceptional pieces.

Rattan offers numerous benefits. It can help control soil erosion and prevent landslides in hilly and mountainous areas, making it an excellent crop for sustainable land management. Moreover, growing rattan can provide a lucrative livelihood for indigenous tribal peoples and other forest dwellers.

The demand for rattan and bamboo furniture has increased significantly, largely due to concerns about the environmental impact of plastic furniture. This shift in consumer preference presents a tremendous opportunity for the Philippines to capitalize on its rich rattan resources.

So, what needs to be done to boost rattan production in the country? Which agency should take the lead – DENR, DA, or perhaps DOST through FPRDI? What new technologies or research can be leveraged to improve rattan cultivation and harvesting?

Indonesia currently dominates the global rattan market, accounting for about 70% of total production. The Philippines, however, is the second-largest producer, with a significant industry that employs over 4 million people.

It's time for us to take a closer look at our rattan industry and explore ways to increase production, improve sustainability, and promote eco-friendly practices. By doing so, we can not only meet the growing demand for rattan products but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious and responsible future.

Who in our government is responsible for planning for our export strategy? Are the outcomes of our exports because of good planning or is it because of accidental successes that have nothing to do with government planning. Does the government evaluate problems and opportunities in export marketing? Does it study the possible impacts of where we have comparative advantages and competitive advantages?

In the case of rattan, Indonesia might have the comparative advantage over us because they have 300 species of rattan compared to our 66 species, but we might have the competitive advantage over them because we have better furniture designers, I would like to believe, and aside from that, we have more intricate workers and artisans, I also would like to believe.

I do not know who the Indonesian designers are, but here we have Kenneth Cobonpue, a “renowned Filipino industrial designer known for his unique and innovative designs that integrate natural materials through handmade production processes. Born on December 16, 1968, Cobonpue has gained international recognition for his work, which has been featured in films like "Ocean's 13" and "CSI: Miami." His clientele includes Hollywood celebrities and members of royalty, such as Queen Sofía of Spain and Queen Rania of Jordan” (credits to Wikipedia).

Also, according to Wikipedia, “Cobonpue's designs are celebrated for their artistic and handcrafted qualities, combining traditional and modern elements. He has received numerous awards, including the Maison et Objet's Asian Designer of the Year and the Gawad sa Sining Award for Design. He also founded the Industrial Design Program at the University of the Philippines in Cebu and has been involved in various government and private sector roles related to design and the creative economy”.

We also have Budji Layug, a renowned Filipino designer known for his innovative and organic approach to design. Layug is a co-founder of Budji+Royal Architecture+Design, a firm that emphasizes a holistic approach to design, integrating architecture, interior design, furniture, home accessories, and landscaping to create cohesive and harmonious spaces.

He has made significant contributions to the design world, both locally and internationally. His work is characterized by a modern organic sensibility, blending traditional Filipino craftsmanship with contemporary design elements. He has collaborated with Royal Pineda, an architect, to create a distinctive style that is well-regarded in the design community (credits to Archify).

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-03-2025

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