Charles Adu-Anning 273- Lack of proper preservation facilities
- Poor marketing facilities
- No showroom for exhibition of products
- Price fluctuations and irregular demand for products
- Poor processing techniques and inadequate working capital.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The rattan industry constitutes a vital part of the industrial sector of the country.
It contributes significantly to the development of Ghana’s economy by providing
employment and there is hope for an export market that could earn valuable
foreign exchange if appropriate interventions were given to the industry.
The contribution of rattan to rural and urban livelihoods needs to be further
recognised and appropriate solutions must be found to solve the existing
problems as summarised above. The inadequacy of raw materials and the lack
of working capital, basic equipment and technical expertise to operate the
industry have adversely affected the production and quality of rattan products.
With proper organisation of the processors and proper utilisation of the available
support services, the rattan industry can be greatly improved (Oteng-Amoako
and Obiri-Darko 2001). This study revealed that the sustainability of the industry
depends largely upon the adequate supply of raw material and adherence to
optimal exploitation rules. Against this background the following
recommendations are made.- The Resource Management Support Centre needs to look critically at
the sustainability of the standing stock versus overexploitation. - The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana must intensify research efforts
in identifying the appropriate silvicultural and ecological conditions
for the domestication of rattans. - The Forest Services Division must establish rattan plantations and
encourage rural-based individuals to do likewise. - The Ministry of Tourism must provide a showroom and better processing
sites for processors. - Affordable and/or low interest sources of funds need to be made
available.
ENDNOTES- Department of Agroforestry, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. E-mail:
[email protected]
REFERENCES
Abbiw, D. 1990 Useful plants of Ghana. Intermediate Technology Publications,
London. 337p.
Belcher, B. 1995 Bamboo and rattan production to consumption systems: a
framework for assessing development options. INBAR Working Paper No. 4,
New Delhi, India. 12p.15Rattan.p65 273 22/12/2004, 11:05