Rattan is the fastest-growing tropical woody plant, renewing itself in only 5-7 years. As a material, it is also lightweight, flexible, and durable, making it a perfect long-lasting material to furnish homes. Rattan manufacturing is also low-tech, requiring the hands of artisans, which supports the development of crafts alive while leaving less to no impact on the environment. Known as the “balance-keeper” of the forest, rattans’ survival depends on trees and the ecology of the rainforest. Thus, supporting rattan management is in line with the protection of forests. As it needs trees to grow, rattan can provide an incentive for communities to conserve and restore the forest on their land.

While the industry boomed as a result of the ban on exporting raw rattan by the government in 1987, the supply chain is dominated by a series of middlemen and large-scale factories. In return, many smallholders are turning away from rattan production to less sustainable alternatives.