Newsletter – Slope Stabilization Standards, VS Training Opportunities, India & Latin America WhatsApp Groups, Monthly Latin American Roundtable Summaries, A Possible Pan-American Conference in 2025 (NL 2025-02)

Standard Specification for Slope Stabilization Using Vetiver Grass (coming soon)

Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam, a distinguished researcher and practitioner in the field of bioengineering, has done much to advance the understanding and application of Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT) as a nature-based solution for mitigating soil erosion and stabilizing critical infrastructure.

In the forthcoming technical guide, which is primarily intended for professionals (including engineers, policymakers, and project managers), he shares detailed technical guidance on the design, implementation, and maintenance of Vetiver-based systems, based on his many years of experience in Bangladesh and beyond. By offering standardized methodologies, propagation techniques, and monitoring protocols (for those cases where such are required), this resource seeks to equip practitioners with the tools needed to apply VGT in diverse and demanding environments.

While aimed at professionals, the guide does not exclude its use by non-specialists or community leaders under less critical conditions—where risks to life and property are minimal if the application fails. In such cases, Vetiver grass can still be an effective and sustainable solution for stabilizing slopes and preventing erosion.

The importance of this guide lies in its potential to promote wider acceptance of VGT as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly method to enhance the resilience of public and private infrastructure. By bridging gaps in knowledge and standardizing practices, it lays the foundation for greater global adoption of nature-based solutions.

The Vetiver Network International thanks Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam for his dedication, expertise, and selfless efforts in developing this important resource! We will be sure to let everyone know as soon as it becomes available online as a free download.

Applying the Vetiver System Correctly — Latin American Vetiver Experts Offer Online & Hands-On Training Opportunities

As we know, VS is a proven, effective, low-cost system that is simple to understand and apply. But there is a major caveat: it has to be applied correctly, or it doesn’t work.  Too often, we see work that has been done by someone who has not taken the time to learn how to apply it correctly. This, perhaps, is because they mistake its simplicity for meaning that there is no need to learn how to do it right. In regions like Latin America, where interest in Vetiver is demonstrably growing, it is therefore very satisfying to see training initiatives being developed by individuals with deep knowledge and experience in applying Vetiver Grass Technologies.   Two such are Oswaldo Luque in Venezuela and Antonio Carrillo in Mexico.  Oswaldo has played a major role in the development of VS in Venezuela, both in research and in practice. He has also been an active promotor of the use of vetiver grass for handicrafts and the involvement of women. In 2023, he was awarded a King of Thailand Certificate of Excellence in the Application of the Vetiver System for his Vetiver Biofilter System (VSB) Experiences in the Control of Soil and Water Contaminants in Industrial Areas in Venezuela from 2001 to 2022.  Antonio, who was one of the six recipients of The King of Thailand Awards in 2023 for his Climate Risk Reduction and Soil Conservation Tool for Agriculture: Keyline Vetiver Hedges Minimum Standard V.1.3, is the Vetiver Coordinator for Mexico. He is a regenerative agriculture specialist who focuses upon agroforestry systems, permaculture, and keyline design. Between the two of them, they have more than 50 years of experience in working with the Vetiver System. We encourage everyone who can access such “live” training opportunities to take full advantage of them and, as well, we would encourage more of the experts in TVNI to assess the need and opportunities for developing online and/or in the field, practical, hands-on training in their regions to expand the offerings.

For those seeking training, please utilize the many Vetiver-related social media sites to make your needs known to encourage the further development and offerings of relevant training by qualified vetiver experts. At the same time, remember that the TVNI website offers a wealth of training materials (e.g., here) and on YouTube, both at TVNI’s channel and The Vetiver Institute channel.

What’s up in WhatsApp? India and Latin America’s Vetiver Chat Groups

AW#VETIVER is a 270-member WhatsApp chat group, established in May 2023. It describes itself as “our tribute to the Wonder Grass, VETIVER . All eminent Stalwarts here are crusaders working on creating awareness on its immense potential and benefits.” MUNDO VETIVER (Vetiver World) is a 293-member group, established in January 2024. It describes itself as “a group of people interested in vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) and its associated technology, known as the Vetiver System (VS).  It is a communication tool of the Latin American Coordination of The Vetiver Network International…[whose] purpose is to be an open virtual classroom, where experiences that can be replicated by any participant are transmitted.”

With the help of AI, a summary is presented below of the two groups’ discussions:

INDIA GROUP

Principal Topics and Interests

• Environmental and Agricultural Applications of Vetiver:
  – A central theme is vetiver’s role as a “wonder grass” that offers solutions ranging from slope stabilization, erosion control, and riverbank protection to wastewater treatment, mulching, and soil rehabilitation.
  – Discussions also emphasize its potential for producing high‐value products such as vetiver oil, biomass for energy (including biofuel and compressed biogas), and handicrafts.
• Economic and Policy Implications:
  – Participants explore the cost-effectiveness of vetiver systems, noting dramatic savings (up to 90% over conventional “hard” structures) in infrastructure projects.
  – There is considerable interest in scaling up vetiver applications to boost rural incomes through job creation, value-added products, and carbon credit opportunities.
• Research, Standards, and Capacity Building:
  – The group stresses the need for proper design standards, technical training, and rigorous research to validate vetiver’s diverse applications—from its role in regenerative agriculture to its industrial potential.
  – The discussions point to the importance of developing standardized guidelines and bidding documents for non-farm applications.

Evolution of Topics Over Time

• Initial Coordination and Knowledge Sharing: Early messages focus on group formation and the launch of a special magazine edition, with members sharing links to research papers, videos, and presentations from various countries.
• Deepening Technical Engagement: As the conversation evolves, participants discuss detailed case studies and technical analyses (such as numerical modeling of slope stability and cost savings in engineering applications).  There is a growing emphasis on comparing experiences across regions—from India’s railway and highway projects to urban applications and rural regenerative practices.
• Expanding Economic and Policy Horizons: Later messages broaden the debate to include the economic potential of vetiver (for instance, its role in carbon sequestration, biofuel production, and its integration into sustainable development policies). The discussion also shifts to how these technologies can be scaled up and standardized to benefit both farmers and industry.

Main Points of Consensus

• Versatility and Efficacy: There is widespread agreement that vetiver is a highly versatile and cost-effective tool for soil conservation, water purification, and environmental rehabilitation.
• Economic Value and Sustainability: Members concur on the immense economic potential—from reducing infrastructure costs to creating new agro-industrial opportunities and generating carbon credits.
• Importance of Technical Rigor: All agree that successful application depends on following proper design standards, using quality plant material, and ensuring adequate post-planting maintenance and training.

Areas of Differing Opinions

• Scope and Scale of Application: While some participants emphasize its use in large-scale infrastructure (railways, highways, coastal protection), others focus on its role in regenerative agriculture and small-scale rural projects.
• Methodological Approaches: Variations exist in opinions on optimal planting techniques, the best cultivars to use, and the methodologies for quantifying benefits such as carbon sequestration or cost savings.
• Research Priorities: There is debate over which research areas should be prioritized—whether further studies on biomass potential and industrial applications are more critical than refining soil and water conservation techniques.

Unresolved Questions and Uncertainty

• Scaling and Standardization: How can vetiver systems be scaled up effectively while ensuring consistent quality and performance across diverse geographies and applications?
• Quantification of Benefits: More rigorous, quantitative research is needed to validate claims around carbon sequestration, biomass yields, and the overall economic impact of vetiver.
• Guidelines and Training: There is uncertainty about the development and dissemination of universal technical guidelines and training modules that can support widespread, effective adoption.

Needs and Opportunities for Focus

• Enhanced Research and Development: Focused R&D is required to refine best practices, optimize planting techniques, and fully document the environmental and economic benefits of vetiver.
• Capacity Building and Policy Support: There is an opportunity to develop training programs for farmers and practitioners, alongside advocating for supportive policies (such as incentives for carbon credits and sustainable infrastructure projects).
• Documentation and Standardization: Creating comprehensive case studies, technical guidelines, and standardized protocols will help bridge the gap between research and real-world application, fostering wider adoption.
• Integration into Broader Sustainability Initiatives: Vetiver’s multi-functional benefits could be better leveraged by integrating it into national and international sustainability agendas, including its potential role in urban renewal, regenerative agriculture, and climate resilience programs.

LATIN AMERICA GROUP

Principal Topics and Interests

• Vetiver Technology and Its Applications:  The group centers on the use of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizaniodes) for a wide range of environmental and agricultural applications. Its use in soil stabilization, erosion control, water and soil decontamination, carbon capture, and even bioenergy (through pellet production) is frequently discussed. There is also interest in its role in bioengineering for constructing barriers (both vegetative “cadenas” and denser barriers) to protect vulnerable landscapes.
• Certification and Capacity Building: A major point is the certification of vetiver nurseries and the technical validation of the technology. Discussions include how to ensure quality, use georeferenced data (e.g., via INaturalist), and how to standardize practices to meet international environmental goals (such as the UN’s ODS 13).
• Research and Technical Practices: Detailed technical discussions address optimal planting densities, spacing (from 10 plants per meter with bare-root to around 7 per meter with developed plants), and design criteria for implementing vetiver barriers. There is attention to data and studies (for instance, regarding carbon capture and comparisons with conventional materials).
• Network Coordination and Communication: The conversation reveals an active network aiming to consolidate regional experiences, share case studies, and coordinate on proposals (including potential joint projects or consortium approaches).

Evolution of Topics Over Time

• Early Coordination and Information Sharing: Initial messages focus on group formation and introductions, establishing the network’s role in sharing vetiver-related knowledge and experiences.
• Expansion to Technical and Certification Issues: As discussions progress, attention shifts to specific technical details—such as the georeferencing of project sites, certification protocols for nurseries, and technical course offerings on vetiver’s bioengineering applications.
• Emergence of Advanced Applications and Challenges: Later in the discussion, more complex topics arise such as the use of vetiver for bioenergy (e.g., pellet production), its role as a natural firebreak, and technical debates over its performance in high-altitude or contaminated environments.
• Coordination for Proposals and Strategic Initiatives: Towards the end, members begin discussing collaborative proposals and the need for more coordinated, large-scale initiatives to better exploit vetiver’s potential, indicating a maturation of the network’s focus.

Main Points of Consensus

• Efficacy of Vetiver: There is widespread agreement on the remarkable performance of vetiver in stabilizing soils, purifying water, and sequestering carbon—often comparing its rapid establishment favorably with conventional forestry.
• Value of Certification and Standardization: Members agree that technical certification (of nurseries, planting methods, etc.) is essential both for quality assurance and for leveraging vetiver as a recognized tool in addressing environmental challenges.
• Need for Georeferenced and Documented Projects: Using tools like INaturalist to map and validate vetiver installations is seen as crucial for future advocacy and for establishing vetiver’s role in meeting global climate goals.

Areas of Differing Opinions

• Technical Approaches to Planting and Barrier Construction: Disagreements or variations emerge on optimal planting densities and configurations—some advocate for denser plantings (as close as 10 plants per meter), while others note that spacing may vary with the plant’s stage of development.
• Application Contexts and Adaptability: Some discussions highlight successful applications in tropical lowlands versus challenges in high-altitude or arid regions. There is debate over the upper altitude limits for effective vetiver performance and its role in different climatic conditions.
• Methodologies for Assessing Environmental Impact: While there is consensus on vetiver’s benefits, there are varying opinions on the best practices to measure outcomes (e.g., quantifying carbon capture, contaminant removal) and which studies to prioritize.

Unresolved Questions and Uncertainty

• Optimal Implementation Parameters: There remains uncertainty about the best planting practices (spacing, root growth parameters, barrier designs) tailored to specific environmental conditions.
• Measurement and Verification: How best to quantify vetiver’s contribution to carbon sequestration and contaminant removal is still a subject of discussion. For example, while some studies report impressive figures, methods and reproducibility need further validation.
• Adaptability Across Diverse Conditions: Questions persist regarding vetiver’s limits in high-altitude or extreme climatic environments and whether alternative species (or hybrid systems) might be required in such scenarios.
• Scalability and Standardization: Although there is enthusiasm for large-scale application (including consortium proposals), how to achieve consistent standards across different countries and projects remains an open challenge.

Needs and Opportunities for Focus

• Research and Development: There is a clear need for coordinated research projects to standardize planting techniques, evaluate environmental impacts rigorously, and refine best practices.
• Capacity Building and Training: Expanding technical courses and certification processes could help disseminate know-how, especially for new members and regions where vetiver is underutilized.
• Collaboration and Networking:  The evolving discussion suggests an opportunity to form consortia or alliances that can submit joint proposals, enhancing vetiver’s profile in international forums and environmental initiatives.
• Enhanced Documentation and Case Studies: Improved use of georeferenced data and shared case studies (including multimedia evidence from installations) could bolster advocacy efforts and support certification processes.
• Innovation in Application: Opportunities exist for integrating vetiver in new areas (e.g., as a firebreak or in bioenergy production) but require further pilot projects to assess feasibility and refine techniques.

Summary of the Latin American Conversatorios

As has been noted in prior Newsletters, Yorlene Cruz (TVNI Director and Costa Rica Vetiver Coordinator) has been organizing and hosting monthly roundtable discussions, or “Conversatorios”, on the last Wednesday of every month since January 2023. These roundtable discussions cover innovative applications of the Vetiver System for erosion control, water conservation, reforestation, carbon sequestration, wastewater treatment, and climate change mitigation. In each, a speaker shares their research, case studies, and practical solutions for sustainable land management and environmental restoration with the Vetiver System, followed by a Q and A. In addition to the hundreds of people that have participated in these live discussions, almost 6,000 people have viewed the (currently) 17 Conversatorios that have been uploaded to TVNI’s YouTube channel.  With the assistance of AI, a summary of these first 17 (from January 2023 to June 2024), with links to the videos, has been generated and placed on TVNI’s website. The summary is in English, while the Conversatorios themselves are in Spanish. At present, Yorlene is exploring how to have these videos subtitled in English, and we will keep you posted as to when those become available.  To date, the four most popular Conversatorios, based on number of views on YouTube have been: Antonio Carrillo Bolea’s (Mexico) presentation of his work on combining the Vetiver System with Keyline Design for soil conservation and climate risk mitigation, which earned him the King of Thailand Award; Claudio Rubén Daza’s (Colombia) presentaion on Vetiver’s potential for carbon capture and its implications for combating global warming; Rafael Luque Mirabal’s (Venezuela) discussing the importance of re-energizing the Latin American Vetiver Network and of effective strategies for promoting the Vetiver System as a tool to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030; and Jonathan Barcant’s (Trinidad and Tobago) sharing of his experiences in promoting Vetiver and the Vetiver Education and Empowerment Package (VEEP) model for community development.

Pencil Into Your Calendar The First Pan-American Vetiver Conference

Antonio Carrillo Bolea, the Mexico Vetiver Coordinator has shared plans to host a Pan-American Vetiver Conference in Veracruz, Mexico, in 2025. The Conference is still tentative as he works to organize support that would make it a reality. He is very actively engaged with different stakeholders to create the momentum needed for such an event and is optimistic that it will happen. He reports that momentum is building in Mexico for the Pan-American Conference, which would be set for November in Veracruz. When he makes the official announcement, we will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, all interested individuals, organizations, NGOs, and development agencies should make a note in their calendars to reserve their availability in order to attend when the Conference is firmed up.

Jim  Smyle.

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