Abstract

The present technology of rattan harvesting and processing in India is less productive because of large amount of material wastage and low quality of end-products. This is largely due to the lack of proper harvesting and processing tools and techniques such as curing, bleaching, drying, bending and fumigation. One major constraint in improving the technology is the socio-economic condition of the region which does not permit mechanisation. However, there is an immediate need to fabricate a simple harvesting device to improve the pulling power of cane stems from the canopy for reducing wastage and for providing safety to the worker during harvesting. Similarly, introducing the labour-intensive technology with simple tools/devices of better design and low-cost machines (for drying, bending, peeling and splitting) may be necessary to meet the quality demands of both domestic and international markets