Rattan sector in Hainan Island, China: a case study

Abstract

Hainan Island is the biggest supplier of domestic rattan canes in China and is considered the best area to develop rattan plantation in large-scale. This paper discusses the rattan production in Hainan Island on the basis of comprehensively collected information on rattan through interviewing with farmers, middle man, manufacture and official, on-site observation and literatures. The stock of available rattan is more than 25×106kg, but the real production annually is 4×105 kg. The area of rattan plantation established during 2000–2005 was about 10 000 hm2, however, they don not produce yet. Four indigenous rattan species (C. Simplicifolius, C. Faberii, C. Tetradactylus, D. margaritae) and three kinds of exotic canes are mainly utilized in Hainan island. Large quality of canes is treated as timber regulated by government, tax should be paid and a license should be applied from the government if canes are transport out of Hainan Island. The production-to-consumption flow of rattan in Hainan Island was drawn out based on the investigation. Constraints and advantages of the rattan sector in Hainan are identified and recommendations are proposed finally.