Processing and marketing of rattan canes in Nepal

This study highlights the processing and marketing of rattan canes with reference to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study was designed based on the exploratory research, and was carried out in all the districts of Nepal with rattan enterprises. The main objective was to assess the processing status, supply, and demand including constraints and potentialities of rattan-canes as well as their marketing practices. Systematic random sampling method was followed to take the sampling of rattan processing enterprises of CFUGs. The questionnaire survey was conducted among35 rattan entrepreneurs cum rattan traders and ten executive committee members of CFUGs. The quantitative data was analyzed using Frequency. The study found that hanger, cradle, stools, chairs, and tables were largely manufactured items among all the rattan-cane products. The annual consumption of imported rattan from India and other countries ranged from 850 MT to 1094 MT. Nepalese rattan fulfills 30% of the total demand. The average marketing margin of rattan products was found to be 37-64%. Nepalese rattan is potential to fulfill 70-80% of the total domestic demand of smaller size strands of rattan.

Value Chain Analysis of Rattan in Nepal

This study highlights the existing situations of production, value addition, marketing and uses of rattan cane in Nepal. Rattan enterprises exist as a small and medium enterprise (SME) within and outside the community forest user groups. The study was designed based on the exploratory research and was carried out in Kailali and Bardiya districts. The main objective was to assess the constraints and opportunities of rattan cane enterprise as well as design business solutions. Systematic random sampling method was followed to take the sampling of CFUGs, households and small and medium enterprises. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions, key informants interview, direct observations, open-ended questionnaires, and inventory of growing stock. Similarly, secondary data was collected from progress reports, Forest Operational Plans, audit reports and records of community forest user groups and Division Forest Offices. Sampling design was ascertained representing sampling units of rattan managed Community Forest User Groups and processing industries. The questionnaire survey was conducted to executive committee members of 8 Community Forest User Groups, 526 households and 12 rattan processing industries/ enterprises. Direct observation and interaction with CFUG and entrepreneurs were another major source of information. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 20 and Microsoft Excel software tools. The identified major constraints concerning the selected value chains were: absence of detailed resource inventory in the approved Forest Operational Plans; inadequate knowledge about resource management, poor capacity to incorporate environmental policy concerns, weak business competitiveness, insufficient information about market and poor marketing knowledge. The study also identified a number of opportunities both in the community as well as enterprise perspective. For example, resource potential and monetary benefits to the community people; contribution in community development, involvement of service providers in forest resource management; employment generation and leveraging ecosystem services. The findings suggested technical and business solutions for the effective value chain of rattan cane.

Flexural Capacity of Rattan Cane Reinforced Concrete Beams

To overcome the dependence on the use of reinforcing steel in concrete, alternative materials are used as reinforcement that is easy and cheap to obtain the resistant of corrosion namely rattan rods. With this material the natural resources can be utilized optimally. This research uses rattan as reinforcement for concrete beams. The test is carried out using a two-point loading method, used 4 types of beams, namely 2 rattan reinforcement beam (BR2), 3 rattan reinforcement (BR3), 4 rattan reinforcement (BR4) and 2 steel reinforcement (BS2) as control beams. The test results show that the addition of 2 times the amount of rattan reinforcement resulted in an increase in flexural capacity of 48.51%. The flexural capacity of rattanreinforced beams is lower than the flexural capacity of steel-reinforced beams by 10%, so the use of rattan as reinforcement in non-structural construction.

The Biomechanical Properties of Rattan Cane in the Design and Fabrication of Prosthetic Foot

In designing prosthetics for amputees, quality and quantity of materials determine device tensile, flexural, extension and compression strength as well as energy distribution when load is applied. Biomechanical properties contribute in combination to any device longevity and resolution force effect to gait expression. Four different dry rattan canes were sampled and subjected to biomechanical analysis, and sample 3 had highest tensile strength with ultimate tensile strength of 11.5N/mm2 revealed when load at break of 668.18N applied, and modulus 1033.90MPa with ductility of 7.33mm were resultant. While average ultimate tensile strength of 8.68N/mm2 was sustained by load at break of 396.66N, modulus of 1119MPa and ductility of 9.5mm was confirmed of rattan cane. Highest flexural strength of 34.43N/mm2 resulted from load at break of 32.82N, modulus 255.65MPa and elongation of 66.81mm was dictated of sample 3, and an average Flexural strength of 26.4 N/mm2 occurred when load at break of 16.04N, modulus 229.16MPa produced elongation (ductility) of 55.1mm on rattan cane. The highest load resistance was shown by sample 3 at compressive strength of 8.79MPa when on load at break of 330N, modulus 622.53MPa resulted. While sample 4 had the highest compressive strength of 9.94MPa when load break at 309N exerted modulus 283.14MPa. Gait analysis revealed terminal swing and heel strike of chosen height 8cm and deformity 0cm while early and mid stance of 0.3cm and 7.7cm were respectively for deformity and height.

Abrasion and Physical Properties of Rattan Cane (Calamus deeratus) Fibre Based Epoxy Composites

The effects of fibre content (5–30 wt%) and fibre treatment on abrasion, water absorption, specific gravity, and density properties of epoxy/rattan cane fibre composites were studied. Epoxy resin reinforced with the alkaline treated rattan cane fibre fibres was produced by compression technique in predetermined proportions. Abrasion and physical properties tests were carried out on the developed composites. The results showed that the reinforced composite samples have better enhancement in all the properties tested than the unreinforced control sample. Least Water Absorption (WA) value of 1.4 % were obtained within the 1 week and 2 week for the reinforced samples. Samples reinforced with 10 wt. % rattan fibres had the highest abrasion resistance, while the sample with 5 wt.% rattan fibre addition had the best water absorption resistance. The products of this research could find applications in automotive fields where exposure to moisture and wear are encountered.

Strength Characteristics of Bamboo Reinforced Slabs

The construction industry consumes large quantities of composite materials, such as steel, cement and other binding materials. This process emits enormous volume of carbon dioxide leading to global warming and other environmental degradation. As an alternative to steel, bamboo, rattan cane and other agricultural products have been used as reinforcement in different parts of world. However, the application of this non fossil-fuel products has not been exploited to greater extent. In the present study the use of bamboo (bambusa vulgaris) has been adopted as an alternative to steel in fabricating slabs of dimension 1500 mm x 500 mm x 75 mm (length x breadth x thickness). M25 grade with water cement ratio as 0.5 was used. The slabs were tested using Non-Destructive Tests to determine the quality of concrete adopted. Subsequently, destructive tests were carried using a loading frame of capacity 1000 kN. The non-destructive tests and destructive tests were repeated on steel reinforced slabs and control slabs (without any reinforcement). The results indicate that the bamboo reinforced slabs comparatively weaker with respect to steel reinforced slabs and stronger with respect to control slabs. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt BRC slabs for low cost dwellings.