Using Vetiver Grass as a Commercial Crop for Conservation
Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a non-fertile, non-invasive perennial grass with a dense web of roots that binds soil and penetrates vertically to 15 feet. It thrives in the tropics, growing in a variety of inhospitable soils regardless of fertility, salinity, pH, and drought.
Championed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the use of Vetiver to control erosion has been included as a best management practice (BMP) for Hawaii farms. When planted in strips, Vetiver forms a vegetative barrier that slows the velocity of water and traps sediment and debris. Decades of use in the tropics confirm that Vetiver, when used as a vegetative barrier, is a very cost-effective method to reduce soil erosion and stabilize steep slopes.
Small amounts of Vetiver have been available from the USDA Plant Materials Center, but they can no longer meet the growing demand. The O'ahu RC&D is implementing a project to evaluate, promote and advance the adoption of vetiver as a conservation resource, and encouraging its production on a commercial scale. Information on propogation and establishment of vetiver will be provided to potential growers, along with estimated costs of production and market opportunities.
Resources:
NEW DVD!! "Vetiver. Green Tech for the 21st Century" (View on YouTube)
Cost of Production and Market Opportunity Report
Using Vetiver to Restore Island Ecosystems - Presentation by Don Miller
Visit The Vetiver Network International website at www.vetiver.org
Local suppliers for Vetiver include: Vetiver Systems Hawaii