a grass of economic and permacultural importance

8/14/2019 A Grass of Economic and Permacultural Importance

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Vetiver:

A Grass of Economic and PermaculturalImportance in Post-Quake Haiti

Written by: Monica Boyce, Ph.D.

Monica Boyce, Ph.D. Vetiver 1


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Table of Contents

Background................................................................................................................................................ 3Market........................................................................................................................................................ 5

Haitian Owned.......................................................................................................................................5Frager/Agri Supply........................................................................................................................... 5

continental fragance S.A....................................................................................................................... 7CERAM CENTER................................................................................................................................ 7 Non-Haitian Owned.............................................................................................................................. 8Vetiver Development Projects............................................................................................................... 9

The Haiti Sustainable Vetiver Project...............................................................................................9Permacultural Applications...................................................................................................................... 11Resources................................................................................................................................................. 14

Vetiver Network International............................................................................................................. 14Vetiver Network International blog.....................................................................................................14Vetiver Network Discussion Board..................................................................................................... 14

Vetiver Grass Sales Outlets............................................................................................................14



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Background

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial grass, native to India. An alternative name, in India,is khus. This grass can grow to 1.5 m (4.5 feet) and it's growth habit is clumping. This species does not

form horizontal surface mat-like root systems but rather sends roots down 2 to 4 m (6 ft to 12 feet) indepth. This plant is related to other grasses such as: lemongrass, citronella, and palmarosa.

Useful in combating erosion due to the deep rooting structure. The roots have been used in stabilizingearthen structures such as berms, stream banks, terraces, and rice paddies. As the growth habit isclosely growing clumps, it is useful in controlling surface water as well.

This species is not considered especially invasive as it's method of propagation is not through stolons(underground runners that establish new growth) but rather via offsets (aboveground asexual clonesformed from meristematic tissues).

Other uses for this species include: as a feedstock for perfumery, medicinal uses, and as a base materialin household items such as mats. 1

There are two types of vetiver: wild type with colonizing root system (invasive) and the domesticatedvariety. Vetiver uses a specialized form of photosynthesis C4 adapted for dry or drought conditions.Vetiver is non-photoperiod sensitive and grows and flowers year round. Does best if ESTABLISHEDin full sun and then it can survive in deep shade for decades, tolerating near darkness found undercanopy of tropical forests and rubber tree plantations.

Vetiver is a self-riser, meaning that as silt builds up around the base of the grass clump the crown risesto match the new soil level.2


Illustration 1: vetiver roots


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Illustration 2: Vetiver morphology


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Market

Haiti, Java, and Runion are leaders in global vetiver oil production. Other smaller producers includeChina, Brazil and some small nations. Supposedly, Runion is considered to produce the best vetiver

oil (called bourbon vetiver) with the next more favorable being oil from Haiti and then Java.World vetiver oil production about 250 tons/year.

Estimated annual consumption:3

United States 100 tons

France 50 tons

Switzerland 30 tons

United Kingdom 2025 tons

Japan 10 tons

Germany 6 tons

Netherlands 5 tons

Other 3040 tons

Haitian Owned

Frager/Agri Supply

Frager/Agri Supply is a company owned by Pierre Lger (LinkedIn).

An industry wibesite describes the history of this company as follows:

AGRI-SUPPLY is the largest producer and exporter of Vetiver oil in the world.

Its Vetiver oil factory, known as FRAGER, is located in Les Cayes, the heart of the principal vetiverproducing region in Southwestern Haiti which extends from Port Salut to Aquin.

The plant was established in 1958 by Franck Lger on the grounds of his father Demetrius Lger'salcohol distillery.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/pierre-leger/19/a26/459http://www.linkedin.com/pub/pierre-leger/19/a26/459


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Vetiver processing had been introduced in Haiti in the 1940's by the Frenchman Lucien Ganot.

In 1984, the plant was taken over by Franck's son, Pierre Lger, and his company AGRI-SUPPLY CO.S.A..

Since then, AGRI-SUPPLY has more than doubled the size of the plant to 44 atmospheric stills eachbuilt to handle one metric ton of vetiver roots.

Total production capacity is 80 metric tons of vetiver oil per year. The plant extracts vetiver oil bysteam distillation. 4

Frager employs 27,000 families as contract cultivators of vetiver.

With a kilogram of vetiver selling for US$ 69, Frager has a healthy turnover of US$ 4 million.

After completing studies in agronomy in the Netherlands, Mr. Lger approached one of the mostimportant perfume companies, based in Switzerland. The company gave him a contract, which paid forthe replacement of a charcoal-fired boiler, dating from 1880, with an oil-fired boiler and for the

installation of other sophisticated technology. A satellite phone was purchased for the express purposeof maintaining close contact with European clients.

The combination of direct distribution, new technology and low operating costs helped Frager attain anadvantage over competitors in Brazil, China, Indonesia and Reunion (which has now withdrawn fromthe market).

Pierre Lger believes strongly in direct contacts with his local community, too, to maintain the success


Illustration 4: Frager farmers in field

Illustration 3: Fragerharvest

Illustration 5: Frager oil processing

facility (in Haiti)


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of his business. Employees are given a chance to participate in the running of the enterprise. Mr. Lgertakes part in harvesting and in the celebratory community get-togethers to sing traditional songs. He isalso initiating his son into the business. 5

Pierre Leger from the southern city of Les Cayes addressed Haiti's lack of infrastructure. He claimedto be Haiti's largest vetiver exporter, with operations based in the southern department. He castigatedHaitian President Ren Prval's "lack of entrepreneurial vision" and the Haitian government's perennial

begging. The current government and those of the past have contented themselves with pursuinginternational aid without really trying to promote national production, he said. Leger recounted thetroubles he had in getting fuel to his operations over Haiti's sole artery to the south which was damagedafter the 2008 storms. Building shipping ports and airports could resolve such problems, he argued."You need to have infrastructure before inviting people to invest in your country, even if it isentrepreneurs from the Haitian diaspora," Leger said.6

Contact info:

Pierre Lger

Frager

172 rue du CentrePort-au-Prince, Haiti HP-6110

E-mail: [email protected]

continental fragance S.A.

Contact Person: Mr. Gael Perpignand (Executive Management)

Company: continental fragance S.A.

Address: 17 rue Pinchinat, Petion ville, Port au Prince, Haiti

Zip/Postal: ha0000 Telephone: 509-3-7035943

Fax: 509-2-2563511

Mobile: 954-7194232

CERAM CENTER

Contact Person: Mr. Gilbert Dominique (Owner/Entrepreneur)

Company: CERAM CENTER

Address: #1Rue Rigaud, Petion-Ville, HAITI, HaitiTelephone: 509-3-4431447

Fax: 509-2-2571633

Mobile: 509-36838480

mailto:[email protected]://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2314192/continental-fragance-SA.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2314192/continental-fragance-SA.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2734971/CERAM-CENTER.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2734971/CERAM-CENTER.htmmailto:[email protected]://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2314192/continental-fragance-SA.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2314192/continental-fragance-SA.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2734971/CERAM-CENTER.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2734971/CERAM-CENTER.htm


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SIFA - International Trade Agency & Import-Export Agency

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (W. I)

Mr. Moise Smith Jacques

Non-Haitian Owned

GR Associates

Manufacturer, Trading Company

Gore Chambers

GK Avenue

Cochin

Kochi, Kerala

India 682002 Telephone: 91-484-2226081 Mobile Phone: 919388471125 Fax: 91-484-2212271

US Based importer

Contact Person: Mr. Hans Laguerre (Owner/Entrepreneur) Company: ***** Address: 25 Third,Brockton, Mass, USA Zip/Postal: 02301 Telephone: 1-617-6406372

Contact Person: Mr. Michael Scott (Sales) Company: K-Meck Group Import- ExportAddress: #44Rte. De Tabbrre, Cazeau, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Zip/Postal: W.I Telephone: 509-509-2518-0256 Fax:

509-954-7190548 Mobile: 954-7190548

Contact Person: Mr. Satardekar Laxmi (Sales) Company: IGG Address: Dabhar St,1st Floor,,Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Zip/Postal: 400001 Telephone: 91-22-23455355 Fax: 91-22-23476556

Contact Person: Mr. darrel kurtz (Sales) Company: Benassai Imports IncAddress: 13800 HIghway 9North, Suite D120, Alpharetta, ga, USA Zip/Postal: 30004 Telephone: 1-678-2409102 Fax: 1-770-7836590

Contact Person: Ms. guiyi zeng (Sales) Company: Vetiver Smart Lock Ltd. CompanyAddress:daozhaohoudeshangliangzhougongyeyuan, dongguan, guangdong, China Zip/Postal: 523000Telephone: 86-020-87031446 Fax: 86-020-87031446

http://www.tradekey.com/product_view/id/1104034.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/3336450/*****.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/252932/K-Meck-Group-Import-Export.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/252932/K-Meck-Group-Import-Export.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/252932/K-Meck-Group-Import-Export.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/876659/IGG.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/876659/IGG.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2546503/Benassai-Imports-Inc.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2546503/Benassai-Imports-Inc.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2546503/Benassai-Imports-Inc.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2264485/Vetiver-Smart-Lock-Ltd-Company.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2264485/Vetiver-Smart-Lock-Ltd-Company.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2264485/Vetiver-Smart-Lock-Ltd-Company.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/product_view/id/1104034.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/3336450/*****.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/252932/K-Meck-Group-Import-Export.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/252932/K-Meck-Group-Import-Export.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/876659/IGG.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/876659/IGG.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2546503/Benassai-Imports-Inc.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2546503/Benassai-Imports-Inc.htmhttp://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2264485/Vetiver-Smart-Lock-Ltd-Company.htm#http://www.tradekey.com/profile_view/uid/2264485/Vetiver-Smart-Lock-Ltd-Company.htm


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Vetiver Development Projects

The Haiti Sustainable Vetiver Project

Joint venture between EcoVentures International (EVI) & Estee Lauder

market-based approach to identify market-driven solutions that link the value of existingand potential environmental and social benefits into the commercial supply chain. By doingso, Vetiver grasses will be properly valued for both its environmental, social, and commercialvalue However, whereas many environmental management and social development projectsrely on public sector transfers to land-users, the Haiti Sustainable Vetiver Project will rely onthe private sector to reward land users.

The aim of the project is to develop and adopt a Sustainability Standard, with value in the

marketplace, and thus to formalize purchasing agreements with significant internationalbuyers.

This project will create immediate and long-term gains for Haitis Vetiver Industry in thefollowing ways:

Access to new markets Secure long-term supply of Vetiver by reducing risk of erosion and other landscape

changes Increased quality and quantity of Vetiver

EVI will work with key partners to perform the research and development required to

formalize this standard and facilitate the adoption of the standard by Vetiver grass growersand Vetiver Oil distillers in Haiti.

Sustainable Harvesting: Implement sustainable Vetiver harvesting scheme to ensuresoil erosion, soil retention, flood mitigation and management, and water qualitybenefits of the Vetiver root. The Vetiver Network, an international organization, hastremendous resources to help develop this scheme.

Organic: Certifying Organic practices of Vetiver growers and distillers Energy and Water Efficiency: Upgrading and technical assistance provided Vetiver

distillery facilities for energy efficiency, water management, and renewable fuelutilization (particularly looking at the use of Vetiver waste from the distillation process

as a sustainable fuel source) Alternative, Renewable Fuel Proliferation: Explore utilization of the Vetiver Grass to

develop a commercially viable fuel alternative to charcoal as an additional incomesource for Vetiver farmers.

Increased Income for Farmers of Vetiver: Develop a payment mechanism thatfinancially rewards farmers for adoption of sustainable practices.

Reforestation and Diversification: Reforest Vetiver Plots through Intercropping to



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Diversify Farmer Incomes, Enhance Biodiversity, and Sequester Carbon, with theopportunity for farmers reforestation activities to qualify for carbon credits onvoluntary and mandatory carbon markets.

EVI is working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Market ChainEnhancement Project (MarChE) to leverage further funding of $250,000 to develop the

standards and support the adoption of the standards by Vetiver Growers and Distillers. EVIhas developed a partnership with The Estee Lauder Company to provide technical assistanceand research and development capacity for the development of a market viable Haiti VetiverSustainability standard. EVI is already working with the Organization for the Rehabilitationof the Environment (ORE), a local organization in the south of Haiti, the Vetiver Network,and select Vetiver Oil distillers, who have demonstrated willingness to adopt thesustainability standards.

Contact info:Kate DavenportProject Director

[email protected]

1519 Connecticut Ave NWSuite 200Washington DC 20036202 667 0802www.eco-ventures.org

http://www.eco-ventures.org/http://www.eco-ventures.org/


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Permacultural Applications

The Vetiver Network International blo g (by Dick Grimshaw LinkedIn) wrote, from experience withvetiver cultivation, the following regarding how one would need to approach the regeneration of the

Haitian landscape post-earthquake.

Area of Haiti = 2,775,000 ha (we can discount what does not need protection later)

Average of 10 rows of vetiver per ha = 1km per ha or 2.8 million linear km of hedge

Number of vetiver slips required = 27.8 billion

Area of nurseries each producing 0.5 million slips/ha/annum = 55,000 ha

Area if 15 year program envisaged = approx 3,700 ha nursery per annum.

Number of nurseries at 0.1 ha/nursery= 37,000 (One nursery for every 75 ha of treated land) 7

The Grimshaw goes on to say:

Revenue per nursery (bare rooted plants) would be in the order of $500 to $1500 per nursery (usingfarm gate price per slip of 1 to 3 cents per slip - higher price when sold to public infrastructurecontractors) - Quite attractive return for a small farmer + bi-products that include forage, fuel and otherproducts. PLUS crop yield increases of up to 50% as farm risks reduced and farmers use more inputs.A 0.1 ha nursery (2,000 meters of plants) would be manageable using family labor. 37,000 familiesinvolved. Increased income could come from producing containerized vetiver plants for infrastructureprojects.

Off farm use of vetiver for infrastructure stabilization, rehabilitating degraded lands would be publiclyfunded and would involve large amounts of labor for land preparation and planting. Say $1.0 per meteror $1,000 per km of linear hedge. 1.8 million kilometers of publicly funded hedgerows would cost$1,800 million or $120 million per year.

Grimshaw, in another blog post (Haiti - Agriculture - Production and Disaster Mitigation) states:Vetiver has a positive impact on insects - providing habitat for beneficial insects, such as parasiticwasps, and as a host plant for stem borer - significantly reducing the pest damage to maize withoutharming the vetiver. and refers this link (PDF).and

Vetiver can also be grown for its oil, IF its is planted as a "crop" and protected by permanent vetiver

hedgerows.8

Grimshaw blogs with images on the use of vetiver for erosion control on very steep hillsides in thispost (Vetiver System - for Slope Stabilization in Haiti)

http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-environmental-stabilization-think.htmlhttp://www.linkedin.com/ppl/webprofile?vmi=&id=7802206&pvs=pp&authToken=okz4&authType=name&locale=en_US&trk=ppro_viewmore&lnk=vw_pprofilehttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-agriculture-production-and.htmlhttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-agriculture-production-and.htmlhttp://www.vetiver.org/ETH_WORKSHOP_09/ETH_A3.pdfhttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/vetiver-system-for-slope-stabilization.htmlhttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-environmental-stabilization-think.htmlhttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-environmental-stabilization-think.htmlhttp://www.linkedin.com/ppl/webprofile?vmi=&id=7802206&pvs=pp&authToken=okz4&authType=name&locale=en_US&trk=ppro_viewmore&lnk=vw_pprofilehttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-agriculture-production-and.htmlhttp://www.vetiver.org/ETH_WORKSHOP_09/ETH_A3.pdfhttp://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/vetiver-system-for-slope-stabilization.html


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Philippines vetiver work on steep hillsides:

In China:

Who is Dick Grimshaw?

Independent Environmental Services Professional, previously agriculturist at World Bank, attendedUniversity of London.His email = [email protected]


Illustration 8: 1 year later

Illustration 6: Prepared for split plantingIllustration 7: Splits are planted out

Illustration 10: Very steep slope in

China, newly planted in 2000

Illustration 9: Same slope in 2006

showing native species regenerating

naturally amongst the vetiver
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Richard Webb, writing for PRI-AU, in the post Vetiver Grass A Hedge Against Erosion, January 19,2009, on vetiver as a permacultural tool:

Ideal for KeylineVetiver grows with the land, and so appeals to those who actually use the land, the farmers andforesters who are more concerned with increased production from crops and trees than stopping erosionitself. Vetiver is ideal for use in Keyline systems.

Given the vast areas of bare, eroded hillsides in the tropics, or those areas of south east Asia that arecovered with unproductive Imperata grass, in which vetiver grows with no problem, I see greatpotential for its use. I am convinced that the combination of vetiver with Acacia mangium orPeltophorum pterocarpum, which can shade out Imperata, can bring these lands into effectiveproduction and put forests back onto the hills.

Extra Design Notes: If there is the possibility of zero annual rainfall, dont use vetiver alone on contourbanks as the roots could die and collapse the soil. Vetiver grows better in semi-arid regions if cutregularly and should be planted in summer, and watered until established, otherwise it will struggle.9

In the comments to this post is this by Jesse Johnson:

Vetiver or khus khus grass does a wonderful job filtering sediment but is not a substitute for swale andberm, which allow actual water storage and infiltration. Note that it is mycorrhizal, so put some oldroot soil in new planting holes to get the fungi established; dont buy bare, cleaned roots. Only trainedpersonnel should design plantings on more than a 1:1 (45 degree) slope. In Vietnam, poorly designedplantings have failed (no duh!). Dont use it as forage if you have heavy metals, it will uptake them.Suitable for planting one plant wide on property borders; forms underground hedgerow against moles,who hate it.

Then Dick Grimshaw responds with:

Ref: vetiver and infiltration. The standard practice in Ethiopia for soil and water conservation hasgenerally been through the use of terraces known as fanyaju. This has led to many problems not least

the habit that they provide for rodents. Over the past 20 years Ethiopian wetlands have dried up.following the introduction of vetiver hedges there has been significant improvement in wetlandrestoration dues to vetivers capacity to improve rainfall infiltration. These changes are so significantthat the Ethiopian Wetland Association is one of the leading promoters of watershed stabilization usingvetiver. There is an interesting article at:http://www.vetiver.org/ETH_WORKSHOP_09/ETH_A2a.pdf

Other evidence from Ehiopia shows the newal of year round potable spring water in areas wherevetiver has been used extensively for upland soil and water conservation.

The issue of mycorrhiza. Containerised vetiver will usually have mycorrhiza when planted out.However it is expensive to propagate in this way. Bare rooted plants normally grow very well and willacquire mycorrhiza in the process. At least 95% of the vetiver planted world wide is bare rooted.

Heavy metals: research indicates that except for lead most of the heavy metals are retained in the rootsof vetiver and that it is safe to use the leaves for forage, mulch etc.

Slope stabilization: whatever slope it is important apply the technology correctly. Failures reportd inVietnam were due to (a) some untrained contractors been used for planting and (b) failure due toinherently difficult slopes and soils where the failure surface is lower than the depth of the vetiverroots.

http://permaculture.org.au/2009/01/19/vetiver-grass-a-hedge-against-erosion/http://permaculture.org.au/2009/01/19/vetiver-grass-a-hedge-against-erosion/


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Resources

Vetiver Network International

Vetiver Network International blog

Vetiver Network Discussion Board

Vetiver Grass Sales Outlets

Puerto Rico Agriflora Commercial Vetiver grower

Contact info:

Alberto Rodriguez - [email protected]

Site: Agriflora Tropicals (http://agrifloratropicals.com)

Images at this link:


Illustration 11: Agriflora vetiver splits
http://www.vetiver.org/http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/http://www.vetiver.org/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topicshttp://www.vetiver.org/discus/messages/24/24.html?1258924545mailto:[email protected]://agrifloratropicals.com/Default.aspxhttp://picasaweb.google.co.uk/alrod312/VetiverGrassAgrifloraProduction02http://www.vetiver.org/http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/http://www.vetiver.org/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topicshttp://www.vetiver.org/discus/messages/24/24.html?1258924545mailto:[email protected]://agrifloratropicals.com/Default.aspxhttp://picasaweb.google.co.uk/alrod312/VetiverGrassAgrifloraProduction02


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1 Wikipedia contributors, "Vetiver," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934 (accessed February 8, 2010).

2 Vetiver Grass: A Thin Green Line Against Erosion, Panel on Vetiver, Board on Science and Technology for InternationalDevelopment, National Research Council, 1993, National Academies Press 978-0-309-04269-7

3 Vetiver Grass: A Thin Green Line Against Erosion, Panel on Vetiver, Board on Science and Technology for InternationalDevelopment, National Research Council, 1993, National Academies Press 978-0-309-04269-7

4 http://www.aromatics-adl.com/anglais/level_1/four/agri.htm5 http://www.tradeforum.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/335.html6 http://wadnerpierre.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html7 http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-environmental-stabilization-think.html8 http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-agriculture-production-and.html9 http://permaculture.org.au/2009/01/19/vetiver-grass-a-hedge-against-erosion/
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vetiver&oldid=323527934

a grass of economic and permacultural importance

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