Production, marketing and consumption of Tropical non-wood forest products.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Lac (Shellac) is a resin form material secreted from lac insect (Laccifer lacc). In tropical Asia, lac insect is inoculated to various host tress such as Schleichera oleosa, Butea monosperma, Samanea saman and Zizyphus mauritiana, etc. and lac is harvested. Lac imported to Japan is refined and the wax is then used for electric insulating material, paints, adhesion and coating materials for medicine tablets, foods and fruits. The pigment is also extracted and used as a dye for foods. The imported amount in 1980 was about 1,800 t, however, in 1998, the value drastically decreased to 537 t, about 1/4 of that in 1980. Shortage and instability of supply results in price rises and accelerates the replacement of natural lac with substitute chemical synthesis while the demand is high. Regreening around rural villages in tropical Asia is essential for the recovery of a rural life environment and even for global environmental conservation. Inoculation of lac insects to those trees planted and the harvest of lac evidently contributes to rural economics. Establishment of a trusting relationship between producers in tropical Asia and consumers in developed countries may be the only way to maintain a stable supply.