The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR
The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR
The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR
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M<strong>an</strong>y <strong>of</strong> the small bamboo st<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>s are located <strong>in</strong> remote areas. This proves to be<br />
a problem <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> tr<strong>an</strong>sport<strong>in</strong>g <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> market<strong>in</strong>g harvested poles. Other problems<br />
mentioned by growers <strong>in</strong>clude pilferage or poach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> bamboo poles <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> pests, such<br />
as rats, that eat bamboo shoots <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> <strong>in</strong>hibit bamboo st<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>s growth. <strong>The</strong> shortage <strong>of</strong><br />
available mature bamboo culms for harvest is <strong>an</strong>other problem. Because <strong>of</strong> this, the<br />
gatherers were forced to go deeper <strong>in</strong>to the bamboo pl<strong>an</strong>tations/natural st<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>s to<br />
gather culms for sale to buyers.<br />
<strong>Bamboo</strong> gatherers collect bamboo as a part-time activity. <strong>The</strong> culms may be used<br />
by the gatherers' family, traded with<strong>in</strong> the village or sold <strong>in</strong> larger qu<strong>an</strong>tities to<br />
traders. Almost all gatherers are male (only one wom<strong>an</strong> gatherer was encountered <strong>in</strong><br />
the survey), mostly young adults. Most are from farmer families, though a few were<br />
engaged <strong>in</strong> fish<strong>in</strong>g or bus<strong>in</strong>ess. Only one gatherer reported that he had no other<br />
source <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>come. <strong>The</strong> participation <strong>of</strong> household members <strong>in</strong> bamboo gather<strong>in</strong>g is<br />
generally limited to 1 or 2 members, usually grown-up sons. A few households <strong>in</strong><br />
Abra reported that there were 3-4 household members <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> bamboo gather<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Most gather bamboo with<strong>in</strong> their bar<strong>an</strong>gays (small, <strong>in</strong>dependent village/town units)<br />
or <strong>in</strong> neighbor<strong>in</strong>g bar<strong>an</strong>gays. Annual <strong>in</strong>come r<strong>an</strong>ges from less th<strong>an</strong> P1 000 up to a<br />
high <strong>of</strong> nearly P7 000, the average be<strong>in</strong>g closer to P3 000 (US$1 = P26.30). <strong>The</strong> frequency<br />
<strong>of</strong> bamboo gather<strong>in</strong>g depends on the actual or potential orders from buyers. Harvest<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is seasonal, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> the peak harvest<strong>in</strong>g times vary from place to place.<br />
<strong>Bamboo</strong> gather<strong>in</strong>g did not seem to h<strong>in</strong>ge highly on price competition s<strong>in</strong>ce m<strong>an</strong>y<br />
<strong>of</strong> the respondents were not aware <strong>of</strong> the sell<strong>in</strong>g price <strong>of</strong> other gatherers.<br />
Sun dry<strong>in</strong>g is done by some (44%) to reduce the moisture content <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> thereby<br />
limit fungal <strong>in</strong>fection <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> <strong>in</strong>sect attack. Dry<strong>in</strong>g also reduces weight <strong>of</strong> the culms,<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g tr<strong>an</strong>sport easier. Most (66%) reported that no treatment was done to prevent<br />
damage by <strong>in</strong>sects or fungi, as the technology available had not reached them. Very<br />
few gatherers <strong>in</strong> Iloilo split the culm <strong>in</strong>to specified sizes; the rest there <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> elsewhere<br />
tr<strong>an</strong>sport <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> sell them as whole culms. Only three respondents reported sort<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
bundl<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In most cases, the bamboo gatherers do not seek adv<strong>an</strong>ce payments; they make<br />
use <strong>of</strong> their own capital for gather<strong>in</strong>g <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> harvest<strong>in</strong>g activities.<br />
Prices are negotiated, <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> they fluctuate somewhat with season <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> supply/<br />
dem<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> ch<strong>an</strong>ges. <strong>The</strong> size <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> the poles are two other factors affect<strong>in</strong>g<br />
prices. A bamboo culm 11-12 ft long with <strong>an</strong> estimated 5-6 <strong>in</strong>ch basal diameter<br />
comm<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>s <strong>an</strong> average price <strong>of</strong> P5.00. Quality depends on the age, color, moisture<br />
content <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> straightness. Mature culms, aged 5-7 years, are preferred <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> the<br />
commonly used species is Bambusa blume<strong>an</strong>a. <strong>The</strong> preferred color is deep green <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong><br />
straight poles comm<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> a higher price.<br />
Fifty percent <strong>of</strong> the gatherers were found to be aware <strong>of</strong> other market outlets<br />
---- wholesalers, wholesaler-retailers, retailers <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> end users ---- exist<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> their<br />
bar<strong>an</strong>gays or other towns/prov<strong>in</strong>ces.<br />
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