RI Initiates Sustainable Rattan Certification Scheme

Bogor, W Java, Jan 11 (ANTARA) - A number of stakeholders in Indonesia are initiating a sustainable rattan certification scheme at district level, according to an Indonesian Ecolabeling Institute (LEI) spokesman. "This scheme which is an alternative to a third party certification scheme is expected to answer a number of problems, including high cost, and complicated and difficult procedures small-scale producers have to apply," Gladi Hardiyanto said on Friday. Gladi who is taking part in a workshop on sustainable rattan certification scheme and system in West Kutai district, East Kalimantan, said the stakeholders come from different institutions, including LEI, Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Program (NTEP EP), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesian Rattan Foundation and Consortium of Smallholder Forest System Supporters (KpSHK). The stakeholders are initiating a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) scheme for Indonesian sustainable rattan certification launched early last year, he said. He said the workshop was preceded by field observations in West Kutai district, East Kalimantan, and Katingan district, Central Kalimantan, and discussions with the World Wildlife Fund for East Kalimantan, the forestry office, and the industry. trade and cooperative office in West Kutai. "The series of activities has led to an idea of Indonesian sustainable rattan certification scheme," he said. The workshop is aimed at reviewing whether or not the idea is still relevant to the current condition, particularly at district level, he said. Rattan is one of Indonesia`s key non-forest commodities. Indonesia is the world`s largest rattan producer, contributing nearly 80 percent of global rattan needs. The other rattan producing countries are the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other Asian countries. Rattan producing regions in Indonesia include Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Papua, with an annual potential output of 622,000 tons. Nearly 4.5 million Indonesians are employed in the rate base industry.