Tanzania Vetiver Network (TAVEN) Established

Below is a letter from the Chairman of the Tanzania Vetiver Network that has been recently established. Vetiver Grass Systems have an important role to play in Tanzania and other East African countries. We hope the TAVEN will not only be the catalyst to accelerate the use of vetiver in Tanzania, but will also spur on other East Afrtican countries to use the technology. If any other donors wish to support TAVEN we would wqelcome such support.

Dick Grimshaw


 

29 June 2000

Mr. Richard Gimshaw

President,

The Vetiver Network.

Subject: REPORT ON RECENT VETIVER NETWORK INITIATIVES IN TANZANIA.

Dear Mr. Grimshaw,

The CD-Rom you sent me last year together with the newsletters and other vetiver

publications from you and Duncan Hay (Coordinator South Africa) have been of tremendous help to us in designing our network program and reaching out to important target institutions and policy makers. I am glad to report on the following activities which are at various stages of implementation:

• The TAVEN was eventually incorporated in October 1999. A copy of our registration certificate will be separately mailed to you.

• The vetiver network promotion team in Tanzania now includes many reputable people such as Hon. Paul Kimiti (MP and Cabinet Minister) as TAVEN Patron, and Mr. Fred Machange (a Cornell-trained Agronomist) as the TAVEN Secretary General.

• A promotional document titled: "Highlights on vetiver Grass Technology” was prepared and distributed to relevant institutions and important personalities since November, 1999. On the World Environmental Day 5th June 2000, the document was presented in a meeting with members of the parliamentary Environmental Committee of the United Republic of Tanzania. The VGT message was very well received. We except follow-up meetings after the General Elections in October, 2000.

• A US$ 83,100 project proposal titles: “The Promotion of Vetiver Grass Technology for Environmental Management in Eastern Tanzania” was prepared for implementation from January 2000. Several local and foreign donors have been approached but no firm promise yet. A copy of the proposal will be mailed to you shortly; you may kindly assist in identifying a potential donor.

• The World Bank (Green) Book: “A Hedge Against Erosion, 1993” has been translated into Kiswahili. Some financial support is required to print at least 1,000 copies (to start with) for our field promotion program.

• A US$ 83,100 project proposal titles: “The Promotion of Vetiv~r Grass Technology for Environmental Management in Eastern Tanzania” was prepared for implementation from January 2000. Several local and foreign donors have been approached but no firm promise yet. A copy of the proposal will be mailed to you shortly; you may kindly assist in identifying a potential donor.

• Some manuscript titled: “Vetiver Grass for Soil Erosion Control: A Planting Guide by F.Z. Machange and A.J. Makoye the Chairman of TAVEN~', has been completed (thanks to TVN and other Network sources). Some financial support is needed to print at least 1000 copies for nursery operators and other vetiver field workers.

• We are already in contact with several potential network members, including KAESO. We expect Mr. Everist Maembe of KAESO to join the TAVEN Executive Committee soon.

• Several Government Ministries/Agencies and private construction companies have responded positively to the VGT message. These include the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC. Lake Victoria Conservation Project) and MIS Konoike (Japanese) Construction Company.

• We have already established five nurseries (mostly operated by TAVEN Members) and 10 demonstration sites (Primary Schools) in and around Dar es Salaam City. With a little support, the existing nurseries can be expanded to produce more planting material for new nurseries.

You will kindly note from the brief above that our enthusiasm on vetiver promotion is high and the institutional response is very positive but the financial constraint is a major hindrance. We trust that you will consider and advise us on this matter. Your help, either from TVN or other donor sources, will be most welcome and timely.

With all good wishes,

Sincerely

Anthony J. Makoye

Chairman

TANZANIA VETIVER NETWORK. (TAVEN) A Non-governmental, non-profit Organisation

P.O. Box 31050, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Emaill: [email protected]