Newsletter (NL 2025-07) Promoting the Vetiver System, Landscaping, Feedback, Learning from the past

PROMOTING THE VETIVER SYSTEM

Getting people to change long used practices, whether they be users or advisor/designers/policy makers, can take many years. You can teach hundreds of people how to use vetiver grass technology, of those hundreds fewer will use it, and even less will be active in its promotion.

The mainstream adoption of the Norfolk four crop rotation system in England took approximately 100 years, from its introduction around the mid-17th century until it became a widely used practice around the mid-18th century.  This system, which replaced the less efficient two- and three-field systems, allowed for continuous cultivation by rotating wheat, turnips, barley, and clover in a four-year cycle, eliminating the need for leaving fields fallow. The introduction of turnips and clover significantly improved soil fertility and provided fodder for livestock (sounds a bit like what vetiver can do in the tropics), leading to increased food production and supporting population growth during the British Agricultural Revolution. The system, first pioneered in the Waasland region (present-day northern Belgium) in the early 16th century, was popularized in England by British agriculturist Charles Townshend (equivalent to the modern day influencer?) in the 18th century.

In modern times it took over 55 years to mainstream, herbicide based, no-till farming to commercial farmers  — the biggest growth when the Roundup (Glyphosate) patent expired, improved equipment developed, and in the US, when Federal government incentives for soil conservation were introduced. Mainstreaming the Vetiver System across multiple sectors and applications is even more challenging since it covers many disciplines, social and business cultures, different locations with different soils and climate, different land ownership practices many of which are not conducive to change) and existence of many alternative technologies cherished and promoted under competing agendas. Frankly it is a wonder that Vetiver Grass Technology has reached the current level of acceptance and interest.

The global vetiver reach thus far achieved is due in the main to key individuals, at different societal levels, who have seen and understood the technology, have figured out how it can impact their farm, road or water supply, and other needs, and from supportive research. Users have learned how to apply the technology, have demonstrated the benefits; and some have gone out and promoted it to the community at large either on a one on one basis and/or through targeted workshops/conferences, and through the growing use of social media platforms. The most successful introductions have benefited from good training programs, workshops/conferences, and research  quantifying the benefits and uncovering the science behind the technology.

These individuals are critical “vetiver influencers” and we need more of them. Many have a vision beyond vetiver in their quest for overall environmental improvements for soil and water related matters, and they see vetiver as an effective and low cost technology in achieving those objectives.

These vetiver influencers have been effective in various ways. Two such examples: Tho Ngo of Vietnam has an exceptionally active social media (Facebook group) – Vietnam Vetiver Farmers Group – that has impact beyond Vietnam. Jonathan Barcant of Trinidad and Tobago has linked his vetiver services company (VSC) – Vetivertt –to the IAMovement – an expanding group of younger persons active in the Caribbean – where VGT is a critical component in the movement’s quest to improve peoples lives and the environment that they live in. The IAMovement has growing support at various political levels and from multilateral development agencies such as UNDP and IADB. Central to the expansion of VGT applications is VEEP (Vetiver Education and Empowerment Program). Feng Ziyuan and Xia Hanping of China have, under a joint research and private sector initiative, “have carried out hundreds of small-scale (6-20 people) technical introductions and lectures across different industries, resulting in vetiver technology gaining recognition from more government departments, industries, and individuals”.

We all would like to see an exponential up-scaling of the technology, but this is unlikely to happen!  However there are ways of speeding up the promotion and adoption of VGT and some of these are described in the following paragraphs.  For most vetiver users and activists the area of interest will be at the local district/county level, and it is at this level that we can be most effective. Here follow some of the impediments  and actions that can be taken to accelerate up-scaling.

Impediments to upscaling.

Lack of Awareness and Promotion

• • • Many stakeholders are unaware of VGT’ and its wide application potential for erosion control, slope stabilization, phytoremediation, soil health improvement and its many other attributes.
    • Despite World Bank promotion in the late 1980s and TVNI’s promotional and leadership role since 1995, widespread adoption has been limited by insufficient outreach and education campaigns.

Scientific and Technical Misconceptions

• • • Some decision-makers and engineers still favor conventional “hard” engineering solutions over “soft” vegetative approaches, even when the latter are more sustainable and cost-effective.
    • Misunderstandings about the plant’s characteristics and capabilities under mixed-contaminant environments or its performance in different climates can also hinder adoption.
    • A downplay of grasses (seen by many as “weeds) in general and their application and management.

Climatic and Geographic Limitations

• • • Vetiver is highly tolerant to extreme conditions, but certain ecotypes are vulnerable to winterkill in colder climates (e.g., below 7°F or -13.9°C), limiting its use in temperate zones where periods of continual subzero temperatures can occur.
    • This restricts its application unless cold-hardy varieties are developed or protected cultivation methods are used.

Slow Initial Impact

• • • VGT can take time before it becomes fully effective as a barrier or remediation tool —sometimes over several growing seasons—.
    • This delay contrasts with the immediate visual and structural impact of conventional engineering solutions, making it less appealing for short-term projects.

Funding and Policy Gaps

• • • Many governments and development agencies prioritize large-scale infrastructure over nature-based solutions.
    • Lack of subsidies, incentives, or integration into national climate adaptation policies slows down investment in VGT.

Knowledge Transfer and Training Deficits

• • • Successful implementation of VGT requires proper and rational design, availability of quality plant material, proper planting techniques, and first year maintenance.
    • Inadequate training for local communities, engineers, and agricultural extension officers can lead to poor results and disillusionment

Accelerating the upscaling of Vetiver Grass Technology

Mainstream Vetiver into Climate and Development Agendas

• • Integrate VS into national climate adaptation plans, especially in countries vulnerable to erosion, drought, and flooding.
  • Promote VS as a nature-based solution in UNFCCC, UNCCD, and SDG frameworks.
  • Encourage inclusion in World Bank, Regional Development Banks, FAO, and UNDP-funded land restoration, watershed management projects, and regenerative agricultural programs

Empower Local Communities and Farmers

• • Train and support farmers, especially women and indigenous communities, who are often stewards of the land, and most affected by climate change
  • Promote tenure security to incentivize long-term investment in VS hedgerows.
  • Expand private and community nurseries to propagate and distribute vetiver slips at scale.
  • Expound the value of VGT for autonomous community use as a tool for regenerative agriculture. protecting vital infrastructure (such as bridges, roads, waterways, storm levees, land/water interfaces) and treating hazardous health generators (such as commercial waste and contaminates, sewage, waste water, agricultural chemicals) that effect soil, food, and water supplies)

Leverage Private Sector, NGOs and Green Finance

• • Partner with agri-businesses, NGOs, landscapers, and  eco-tourism ventures, to integrate VS into their sustainability practices.
  • Tap into carbon markets and ESG funds (not easy on a fragmented scale) by quantifying VS’s role in carbon sequestration and land regeneration.
  • Promote vetiver-based products —  essential oils, crafts, biofuel (including briquettes), professional thatching , handicrafts, and more to create economic incentives.
  • Encourage the development and use of Vetiver Service Companies as profitable businesses that provide a range of services including vetiver plant production, planting services, training, and in some case project design.

Expand Research and Demonstration Projects

• • Fund field-scale studies to validate VS performance in diverse geographies and applications (e.g., slope stabilization, phytoremediation, flood mitigation).
  • Establish regional centers of excellence to train practitioners and showcase best practices.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary research linking VS to hydrology, soil science, and climate resilience.

Strengthen Policy and Institutional Support

• • Advocate for policy incentives (e.g., subsidies, tax breaks, inclusion in land-use planning).
  • Encourage integration into engineering codes and environmental regulations for infrastructure, land development, mining, and other industries that impact soil and water, most often in detrimental ways.
  • Collaborate with ministries of agriculture, environment, and public works to embed VS in national programs.

Outreach Strategy by Stakeholder

Governments

• • Pitch: “Vetiver as a low-cost, high-impact tool for climate adaptation, land and water restoration”
  • Tactics: Policy briefs, pilot projects, integration into NDCs and SDGs.
  • Target: Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Infrastructure, Industry.

Development Agencies

• • Pitch: “Vetiver aligns with your goals for sustainable development, resilience, and poverty reduction.”
  • Tactics: Proposal submissions, joint workshops, co-branded projects.
  • Target: UNDP, FAO, GEF, World Bank, NGOs

Private Sector

• • Pitch: “Vetiver enhances ESG (Environmental Social Governance) performance and opens new green product markets.”
  • Tactics: Case studies, ROI analysis, product development partnerships.
  • Target: Eco-tourism, essential oils, erosion control firms, landscapers, large and small agribusiness, mining and waste management companies.

Academia & Research

• • Pitch: “Vetiver offers a living lab for interdisciplinary research.”
  • Tactics: Research grants, student fellowships, open data sharing.
  • Target: Soil science, hydrology, environmental engineering departments.

Local level and Communities

• • Pitch: “Vetiver restores your land, protects your water and local infrastructure, reduces farm input costs, and creates income.”
  • Tactics: Farmer field visits, vetiver nurseries, involvement of women, storytelling, newspaper and radio/TV reports.
  • Target: Farmer and their associations, indigenous groups, youth networks, Local officials including agriculture/irrigation, PWD and water utilities, construction companies, building trade, architects/designers, mining companies. Also river basin and irrigation authorities active at local level

LANDSCAPING AND LANDSCAPERS.

Vetiver applications make an excellent choice for landscapers, many of whom are contracted by the private or government sector to both restore or stabilize construction sites ranging from industrial and residential building sites, public utilities (highways, waterways, railways, pipelines, power lines), and recreational areas such as parks, lakes, pathways and more. Sometimes vetiver is planted as hedgerows for slope stabilization, and often in conjunction with other plants to create ecofriendly, beautiful and stable landscapes. Yorlene Cruz is a landscaper in Costa Rica who uses vetiver extensively in her applications, see some of her photos.  As people get better educated and have more money they want to live in safe  and beautiful surroundings – vetiver can help achieve this, particularly if landscapers and landscaping companies can see and understand the plant’s wide range of benefits. At ICV7 Hu Wenyou of China provided some insights to  this in a paper “Vetiver System for Rural Lansdcaping and Countryside Beautifying”

Often landscapers are presented with raw and disturbed soils that are hostile to native plant growth. Even though vetiver may eventually be shaded out it provides an improved micro ecosite for other plants to establish. In addition vetiver improves site drainage (acts as a rain garden), provides habitat for fauna, removes soil/water contaminants, and when pruned (often 3-4 times a year) provides biproducts (leaf mass) that can be used for thatch, mulch, handicrafts or compost. And it is a good CO2 sequester.

As the demand for vetiver grows there are good opportunities for the establishment of private sector vetiver based landscapers. In many countries there are numerous landscaping companies that have influence in design strategies and regulative policies – vetiver users who produce and sell vetiver slips should promote and sensitize landscapers on vetiver’s merits and applications.

TECHNOSERVE (USA)  and its program for treating coffee factory effluent

The organization is “committed to designing innovative tools and approaches to reach more people, achieve greater impact, and produce stronger and more sustainable outcomes. All in service of helping people all over the world overcome global poverty”.

For some years now Technoserve has been using constructed vetiver wetlands (more than 1,000) in Ethiopia, and Peru for the treatment of effluent from coffee pulping factories at various scales. Here are some links to that work:

Vetiver Wetlands: A Simple, Nature-Based Solution for Sustainable Coffee Production

Learn how vetiver grass is used by coffee growing families in Peru as a low-cost and Rainforest Alliance-certified method for treating wastewater.

How to build a vetiver wetland (Spanish with English subtitles)

Computer model for treatment of small volume wastewater by Paul and Nicholas Truong – Paper and Presentation

FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD

From China

Feng Ziyuan –Guangzhou Vetiver Ecological Engineering Technology Co., Ltd

Feng Ziyuan earlier wrote about a large mining reclamation project using vetiver that had partially failed. I asked him for the reason, and he noted them in the following paragraphs. This is a good example why complex land restoration projects have to be carefully designed (which he did) and properly applied (part of which was not, due to his absence because of  illness.  Often we see not only poorly designed applications, but also severe application failures – This under scores the need for good design and application, according to standards, is essential, and should be undertaken by experienced and certified professionals. See TVNI’s certification requirements.

Guangzhou has entered a hot and humid season with temperatures exceeding 40°C, which is very favorable for the growth of our vetiver.

This tailings pond remediation project is located in Qingyuan City, 170 km northwest of Guangzhou. It is a historical tailings pond formed by illegal mining and excavation. The annual average rainfall in the local area is over 2,000mm, with the rainy season from April to August, accounting for about 70% of the annual total. The geological condition is sandy gravel soil, with a diameter ranging from 0.002 to 2mm, and the soil (clay?) content less than 5%. The main pollution is caused by the illegal mining processes of pond leaching or heap leaching. During the mining process, excessive leaching agents and precipitants were added. The leaching agent (NH4)2SO4 and precipitants such as oxalic acid or NH4HCO3 result in extremely strong acidity, and in some places, ammonia nitrogen significantly exceeds the standard. The soil and groundwater are severely polluted. The purpose of this remediation is to restore ecological vegetation, prevent landslides, collapses, and soil erosion (heavy metal pollution, mainly including As, Pb, Cr, Ni, Si, etc.

The total remediation area of the project is 1716.35 mu (about 114.4 ha), divided into 20 treatment zones and 94 treatment sub-zones. The total  affected area is 9289.24 mu (about 619.28 ha). The total investment is 32.9791 million RMB (approximately 4.58 million US dollars).

The project is implemented by four teams. The first team is responsible for undertaking the project (mainly securing central financial funds and handling public relations). The second team is in charge of bidding work and coordinating local relations (using their network to ensure the project wins the bid and organizing construction teams). The third team, which I lead, is responsible for project design and technical guidance. The fourth team is the construction team responsible for advancing funds for the construction.

During the construction phase, I was absent because of illness.  After arriving at the site, I could only work for 1-2 hours, so iwas only able to supervise the guidance work for 2-3 treatment zones. Although several technical personnel from my team were on-site for supervision, the construction unit, in order to reduce costs, arbitrarily modified my technical standards in several remote treatment zones, leading to the failure of vetiver application in those zones.

Preliminary reasons for the failure:

1. 1. The contour lines were not laid out as planned and became parallel lines;
   2. Soil improvement was incomplete, and the usage of improved substrates and organic fertilizers was greatly reduced;
   3. The planting density and quantity of vetiver were seriously reduced, with the plant spacing and row spacing increased, and the seedlings planted less than 50% of the designed amount;
   4. The water supply in the early stage of planting was not timely (strong winds, dry conditions, and high evaporation in winter);
   5. The post planting nutritional supply was insufficient, and microbial agents and top dressing were not used according to the standards.

Due to the above reasons, the growth and development of vetiver was slow after the climate turned warm in February-March, and a large amount of rainwater scouring and local landslides and collapses occurred after the start of the rainy season in April.

 I will compile this summary into a teaching case, and provide it to you as training content for a seminar. 

From Nepal

Binod Neupane writes“We focused on stabilizing slopes in Kam For Sud, Bhaktapur, Nepal, which were affected by soil erosion and collapsed slopes. Our experiences in this area and others taught us an important lesson: geotextiles alone are not a complete solution for slope stabilization in Nepal. This realization highlights the effectiveness of Vetiver Eco-Engineering Technology for stabilizing slopes. Our team also recognized the need for further studies and research, as well as the importance of sharing this knowledge at the grassroots level. We believe that the Government of Nepal should play an active role in this initiative, and we are eager to contribute to these efforts.  We are disseminating VET (Vetiver Eco-Engineering Technology) in various institutions in Nepal with the objectives of slope stabilization, landslide and riverbank prevention and control, and intake and powerhouse protection for Hydro projects.”

 Shyam Goenka – “ Vetiver exceeds 6 feet in height and 5 feet in depth in 100 days at Fast Track! (The “Fast Track” is the name for the  Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway, a major infrastructure project aimed at connecting the capital city Kathmandu with the southern plains (Terai/Madhesh) region, specifically Nijgadh, Bara. This expressway is being built to significantly reduce travel time and distance between these two key areas, boost economic activity, and improve connectivity). At one of the most difficult geographical terrains of Chure (approximately 100 nautical miles from Mount Everest) with gravel and stones constituting the slopes, this is an eye-opener to the policy makers who have scant regard for Bioengineering to conserve and sustain scant national resources . In-vogue concrete based engineering costs approximately  20 times more than Vetiver!

Vetiver is best for shallow slides! In complex ones, it can be combined with concrete. reducing the cost of the concrete component. Shear strength of the soil has, as expected, increased significantly under the Fast Track paradigm! For more info on this wonder grass: visit vetivernepal.org”

I really like how the Nepalese are warming to vetiver and its application. Shyam Goenka is another example of how a Vetiver Service Company (VSC) can become an “influencer”   based on learning > doing > demonstrating success > sharing with and teaching others.

From India

The Hindustan Times – Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal .. “A total of 53,400 bamboos have been planted, 1,044 check dams built, 3,957 soak pits and 294 km of vetiver grass plantations introduced to enhance soil stability” … this might be worth a follow up by someone in the area.

The India Vetiver Foundation and Newletters  … containing recent information about vetiver development in India – administered by  P.N.Subramanium

Patanjali Jha – owner of Purna Farm – leading environmentalist and regenerative agriculturist, using vetiver for land restoration and food forest farming. He shares images of his and others use of vetiver in this presentation.

Businessline (Hyderabad).This article “India’s tea industry requires modernised overhaul” by N Lakshmanan, a senior tea planter, includes vetiver applications as part of the modernization process. P. Haridas, former Chief Research Officer for Tata Tea, carrier out some extensive field research on vetiver applications for tea plantations that provides a good basis for discussion. This would be a good time for India’s Vetiver Foundation to interact with the tea industry.

Vetiver has been used for decades on Sri Lanka tea estates.   “Soil erosion is severe in high rainfall mid and upland regions of Sri Lanka where the major crop is tea; 80% of this is seedling tea (tea from seeds). The old ‘Up and Down’ planting system adopted and absence of vegetative protection to existing engineered measures results in severe soil erosion. Studies reveal 115 cm top soil lost during last century. This relates to 40 MT/Ha/yr. Unplanned land clearing causes 250 MT/Ha/yr soil loss. Land rested 2 years. under Managrass (Cympobogon confertiflorus) without mulching results in 120-160 MT/Ha/yr. soil loss. New contour planted VP tea during 4 year growth exhibits 75 MT/Ha/yr. to 20 MT/Ha/Yr. soil loss mainly due to insufficient mulching.Engineered, hard, measures are generally not accepted due to high cost, repeated reconstruction, high maintenance, while Vetiver grass hedgerows are popularly accepted due to low cost, easy application, low maintenance, permanency once established. No detailed research done on Vetiver hedge rows in tea, but significant results visually observed in its high efficiency of soil and water conservation. This is proved by its increasing adoption by tea estates for this purpose in Sri Lanka.”

From South Africa (Ballito, north of Durban)

– Daryl de Lange  “….  we supply slips as well as bagged plants, then lift each field at 2 years for the oil. We have stabilized so many slopes on these very erodible red dune sands over the last 4 years.  Our biggest challenge is ignorance. Our farm (Sea Esta Farm) is directly opposite another new development called “Zimbali Lakes”, you will see (Google Earth 29°33’10”S.43 31°10’41.12″E) how much soil (gentle slopes) is exposed and yet retaining walls are still concrete and our rivers still run red”.

From the Philippines

Allan Amps – “in south Philippines we are  encouraging Filipino farmers to adopt Vetiver companion planting. Here is what we found in a study relating to okra plants.

Okra plants are healthy and vibrant despite the close planting distance between rows. Okra plants seem not to be affected at all by vetiver grass as long as weeds are controlled by hand weeding, vetiver grass cutting and effective mulching . Some rows were intentionally left with weeds, such weeds became thick and  overwhelmed the Okra plants, the Okra plants body are thinner and leaves are yellowish. We had to act fast to get rid of the weeds by manual weeding. We plan to rejuvenate the rows with fresh pruned Vetiver leaves as compost/mulch materials. Okra plants appear better with Vetiver Grass as symbiotic partner. Okra plants are affected more by the presence of unwanted weeds/grass as they compete for water, nutrients and sunlight.  The young Okra plants were literally dwarfed by both Vetiver Grass and weeds. Yet it was the weeds that caused more damage/threat to survival and health of Okra plants. On the other hand, the rows of Okra and VG that are regularly cleared by hand weeding, are robust and healthy. (mulching with vetiver should reduce hand weeding.. Ed)

Disaster Help Tools: FB page is a small, private and advocacy-based endeavor to increase public awareness about the benefits of Vetiver Grass. The financial reward to promoting VG for slope protection projects is good, but we are threading another path. We aim to do more by tackling the soil and water movement problems confronting Filipinos by helping to educate farmers and decision-makers in the government. For instance, the perennial flooding problem emanating from the uplands.

Allan Amps and his team of volunteers are becoming key “influencers” in their community in the Mt Ap Yeah that’d be nice I’ll just come That’d be good Yes please o area and beyond – they see VGT as a critical tool to mitigate climate change and soil health issues – keep an eye on them, I believe they will grow into an important group for change… Disaster Help Tools

From the Caribbean

Close the Loop    (environmental conservation organization) … “Nature-based solutions are shaping the future of sustainable waste management in the Caribbean.  After completing the design and construction phases of our horizontal sub-surface flow wetland with @vetivertt SWMCOL at the Forres Park Landfill, we’re excited to see groundbreaking preliminary results! Our innovative treatment method utilizes vetiver grass as the main phytoremediator in an integrated, engineered Nature-based solution. So far, we’ve seen: Over 90% removal of key pollutants, up to 70% reduction in heavy metals, and a cost-effective, scalable, nature-based approach to leachate treatment. By combining science, sustainability, and community engagement, we’re proving that local green technologies can effectively address national environmental challenges. Stay tuned to see updates from our results as we progress towards the second year of monitoring!”

From Colombia

Nestor Escobar – “We planted Vetiver Driving up there on the contour, forming flat micro terraces for plantain cultivation and Vetiver planted four years ago in Colombia. Belén de Umbria, Risaralda. Left photo: cutting taken on July 3, 2024. Right photo: cutting 3 taken months later. During the three months, rainfall reached 383 millimeters. The undecomposed cut material from the first pruning is evident in the soil. Excellent growth and excellent biomass contribution.”

From Kenya

Christian Makokha    “.. Vetiver Grass never STOPS helping our clients protecting their property. It also AMAZED me every time it gives her best result! No Wonder this is really an AMAZING “Miracle Grass!”..  Not just giving its full potential in protecting the soil and water, also providing a relaxing green view. Sharing this to inspire everyone in this Group who are promoting this Grass!”

Christian has a leading Vetiver Service Company in Kenya and works in Uganda as well. He has a wide range of vetiver skills and the quality of his applications are improving. Recently he has applied vetiver for river bank stabilization including on going projects for the Malewa River bank protection, Naivasha, and the Nzoia River bank in western Kenya. Note, Christian’s Facebook page is another to follow.

Odda Howard – business woman – and Vetiver based farm owner at Lela, western Kenya

“Lela farmers are working hard on their individual farms, but doing very little on the Demo farm, the latter has a lot of Vetiver grass.It has been a challenge to get the right person to direct them. My Vetiver, it’s doing great.  l am using it for feeding indoor goats . Vetiver is ground and mixed with molasses as a feed. My target is to raise 1,000 goats in a year, selling price — $80 per goat. l have set up a large underground cavity for feed storage, where the ground grass/molasses is stored . There is a big market for goat meat in Kenya. My Vetiver grass has good strong roots, l am told there are companies that need roots to manufacture essential oils, might you know of any Company? l am also ready to give out slips for free to the local community, but unfortunately many don’t seem to know the benefits of Vetiver.

SOME THOUGHTS ON SHARING INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

First I would like to thank all of you for sharing interesting information on vetiver, amongst those who administer some large groups I would thank Somo Abdul Kadia, a farmer in Marsabit, Kenya, who moderates/administrates The Vetiver Network International (TVNI) Facebook group and Vetiver in Kenya; Tho Ngo (TVNI agriculture advisor) who founded and administers VIETNAM VETIVER FARMERS – NÔNG DÂN VETIVER VIỆT NAM – VVF; and PN Subramanium of India, a retired tech company CEO and farmer who moderates and administers the Indian Agricultural World Whatsapp group AW#VETIVER

Secondly, its wonderful to see all the photos of vetiver applications, but it would be even better if those who share photos could add and expand accompanying explanatory text .. as you can see in this newsletter much of the feedback comes from those social media posts that have interesting text content.

LEARNING FROM PAST ACTIVITIES

TVNI’s website includes much of the early vetiver work, and it is still relevant to what we are doing today, and at a time when the urgency to find solutions is even greater.

Remembering Dr. P.K. Yoon of Malaysia’s Rubber Research Institute.

Dr. Yoon – PK to his friends and colleagues, was the head of the plant division at the Institute, and was one of the early vetiver researchers, in this case investigating the plant basics and its possible use in tree crop plantations. He played a pioneering role in applying Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT) for agriculture and engineering use in Malaysia. Dr. Yoon’s research is set out in “Look See at Vetiver Grass In Malaysia”… PK was the first recipient of the King of Thailand Vetiver Award ($5,000), for overall excellence in vetiver R&D, at a private presentation (1997) by the King at the palace in Bangkok.

I used Microsoft’s Copilot to summarize PK’s contribution to Vetiver Research. The summary is a good example how AI can help us screen the multitude of documents that we have on the Vetiver System including the many newsletters created in the 1990s:

Key Research Areas

Quality Planting Materials

• • Investigated root regeneration from slips and container-grown plants
  • Found polybag plants with 3 tillers more vigorous and uniform than those with 1 or 5 tillers
  • Tested various cultivars and polybag sizes—the Indian cultivar produced 33% more biomass than Malaysian cultivars
  • Explored biodegradable containers like paper pots and newspaper bags for eco-friendly planting

Establishing Robust Hedgerows

• • Analyzed how bag size affected hedge formation—smaller polybags (4″x6″) were cost-effective without compromising growth
  • Found 15cm spacing between clumps ideal for quick hedge closure
  • Tested fertilizer combinations and herbicide use to optimize hedgerow quality
  • Developed foam-based rooting media to reduce transport costs

Vetiver as Mulch in Rubber Plantations

• • Planted vetiver between rubber trees to provide in-situ mulch
  • While early results showed vetiver to be competitive (sometimes suppressive) to young Hevea growth, long-term benefits were still being monitored

Engineering Case Studies

• • Applied vetiver in highway embankments, slopes, and water channels
  • Created layering techniques using pegged culms to establish ground cover on steep slopes
  • Demonstrated rapid regrowth of vetiver post-fire, showcasing its resilience

Cultivar Performance Trials

• • Compared local cultivars from Sabah, Taiping, Sabak Bernam, Raub, and Parit Buntar
  • Measured tiller count, root and shoot biomass, and hedge closure rates

Is Vetiver grass underutilized as a forage option for livestock?

(AI generated)  —  Despite its adaptability and reasonable nutritional value, vetiver grass remains underutilized as a mainstream forage resource for livestock. Vetiver grass is a resilient, adaptable forage option with moderate nutritional value, especially suitable for arid and marginal lands. While it is not widely used as a primary livestock feed, its potential as a complementary or emergency forage resource is under recognized and underutilized. Proper management and integration with other feeds can enhance its value in livestock systems.

Nutritional Value and Yield

• • Vetiver grass contains moderate crude protein (8–10%) and high fiber, with metabolizable energy comparable to or higher than some conventional forages.
  • Nitrogen fertilization significantly increases both yield and crude protein content, making vetiver more suitable as a forage crop, especially in Mediterranean and arid regions.
  • Forage quality declines as the plant matures, with crude protein and digestibility decreasing and fiber content increasing, so it is best used at the vegetative stage (cut/grazed every one or two months).

Livestock Performance and Utilization

• • Vetiver can be fed to small ruminants and goats, especially when mixed or ensiled with other feedstuffs (e.g., cassava peels), without negative effects on animal health or rumen function.
  • Ensiling or mixing with higher-quality forages improves palatability and nutrient utilization.
  • While not a primary feed, vetiver can serve as a complementary forage, especially during periods when other forages are scarce.

Agronomic and Environmental Benefits

• • Vetiver is highly resilient to drought and poor soils, making it a reliable forage source in regions facing climate stress or water scarcity… See Vetiver Saved My Herd
  • Its year-round availability and adaptability to different irrigation regimes and planting densities further support its use as a forage crop in marginal environment.

Using one-meter vetiver grass strips

(condensed from a note by Criss Juliard) —- One meter vetiver strips offers a practical solution for vetiver hedge creation, especially on steep slopes in semi-arid regions. The method involves preparing a suitable soil mix and using innovative molds to create and transport vetiver strips efficiently.

• • Soil preparation for vetiver strips: Sandy soil, common in semi-arid areas, requires amendment with compost made from kitchen scraps and plant residue to retain moisture and support vetiver growth. Frequent turning of compost piles accelerates the transformation into a soil amendment mixed at about 30% with sandy soil.
  • Innovative strip creation using molds: Vetiver slips are planted in one-meter-long strips using split PVC pipes or plastic-covered shallow trenches with dividers, allowing roots to intertwine over 4-6 weeks, forming sturdy, transportable units. This method was developed through experiences in Haiti and Madagascar.
  • Practical considerations for planting: Vetiver slips should be no taller than 20 cm to avoid damage from wind and rain, spaced about 10 slips per meter, and planted within an 8-10 cm wide strip inside the mold to ease transport and handling.
  • Enhancing growth and resilience: Mixing a small amount of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer into the compost-soil mix can promote better growth.

Applying Vetiver System in transformation of slash and burn agriculture to integrated highland farming in Northern Thailand

Subsistence farming in the Thai highlands relied on mono cropping, including slash-and-burn agriculture of upland rice and maize, leading to soil erosion and water contamination from agrochemicals. The Highland Research and Development Institute (HRDI) initiated a development program in Peepan Nue village, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai province, involving pioneer farmers, village mapping, and the introduction of alternative crops and livestock with environmentally friendly practices.

In 2021, farmers and officers planted 50,000 vetiver slips (Mae Hae variety) along contours and around fruit trees, achieving an 80% survival rate. Local trees and bamboo were also planted for timber, greenhouse construction, and firewood. Farmers received training in alternative perennial crops like coffee, avocado, peach, pear, persimmon, and macadamia, as well as soil and water conservation practices. On steep slopes, Arabica coffee was chosen for future organic farming, while persimmon and macadamia were cultivated on moderate slopes. Annual crops were grown on gentler lower slopes, and banana trees were planted for water retention and additional income.

The integrated farming system improved food security and increased farmers’ cash income from $285 to $2,105 per year. Soil fertility and organic matter increased, while arsenic levels in the soil decreased, demonstrating the effectiveness of vetiver systems in heavy metal absorption. This approach has restored and nourished highland life, providing better food security and income for farmers.