GVF Program Overview
What GVF is, how it works, who does what, and where to find everything.
The Global Vetiver Farmer (GVF) Demonstration Program, run by The Vetiver Network International (TVNI), brings together farmers and gardeners in many countries who use vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), as hedges or as single plants. Each site follows one of eight farm models and, at harvest, records how the crop grows close to the vetiver and farther away. Records from many farms, climates and soils will show where vetiver helps crops most, and why.
Why GVF
TVNI’s standards already document what vetiver hedges do for soil and water. GVF tests these results at scale and across zones, and looks for what causes yield differences from place to place, so that farmers everywhere can get the most from vetiver.
Measured (in TVNI standards)
Vetiver hedges cut soil loss and runoff, trap sediment and build natural terraces, and help rainwater soak in, so soil near hedges holds more moisture.
Being tested by GVF
How crop yield changes with distance from vetiver hedges and single plants, across many climates, soils and farm models, and what causes the differences.
Not yet measured
Effects of vetiver on soil fungi (AMF) and on nematodes in nearby crops.
Eight farm models
V101
Basic contour hedges
V101E
Contour hedges plus scattered vetiver
V48
Closely spaced hedges, for steep slopes
VCR
Vetiver crop rotation (block planting); not below about 700 mm rainfall
VPGS
Plantation grid system, for tree and bush crops
KG
Vetiver kitchen garden
VRT
Retrofit of existing bunds, terraces and waterways
Farm Models Summary · Model guides
How it works
1
Register the site online and receive a GVF Site ID by email.
2
Plant or keep hedges or single plants, following the farm model guide.
3
At harvest, record SVH-1 (every site): crop and soil at the hedge edge and at 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 m, or the mid-point, on both sides.
4
At selected sites, research partners add SVH-2: measured yield, soil moisture and, where possible, laboratory samples. Research sites follow the GVF Minimum Reporting Standard for Research, and a few benchmark sites, planted exactly to the TVNI standard, anchor the comparisons.
5
TVNI combines the records, which all share the same codes, and reports results back to farmers and partners.
Who does what
Farmers and gardeners
Choose a model, register, keep the vetiver, and send one SVH-1 per hedge or plant at harvest.
Coordinators
Bring groups in, answer questions, share results, and link GVF with researchers and planners. Farmers can also take part without a coordinator.
Research partners
Select sites and add SVH-2 measurements, including laboratory samples where possible, following the GVF Minimum Reporting Standard for Research; some run benchmark sites.
TVNI
Provides the guides and forms, runs the data system, assigns Site IDs, and analyzes and shares results.
Recording the data
All forms run on KoboToolbox: in a web browser on any phone or computer, or in the free KoboCollect app on Android phones, which records GPS location and photos easily and works without a signal. Paper forms are available for the field. The online forms are in English and 15 other languages: Spanish, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, Tamil, Swahili, Amharic, Afaan Oromoo, Indonesian, Filipino, Bisaya/Cebuano, Hindi and Burmese, with Chichewa to follow. Results are shared openly as they arrive, without names or contact details: see the results so far.
The four packages
1. Farmer Guide (SVH-1)
Everyone taking part: choose a model, register, observe, record.
Open
2. Research Guide (SVH-2)
Research partners: site selection, the reporting standard and benchmark sites, SVH-2.
Open
3. Coordinator Guide
Coordinators who help GVF grow in a country or network.
Open
4. Program Overview
The whole picture: this page.
Questions: [email protected] or the #GVF WhatsApp group. Back to the GVF page.