Agriculture/Aquaculture Water - The Vetiver Network International

Vetiver System for Agriculture and Aquaculture

VGT use as soil and water conservation purposes in itself cleans and removes toxic agricultural chemicals that may be in the soil or in the rain-water runoff. This is useful characteristic for those practicing organic farming who have to certify that their land is free of chemicals. More specifically VGT is used on farms for treating effluent from piggeries, cattle, and other livestock. Normally this is done through fairly simple phyto-evaporation systems using vetiver planted directly into the soil. Where there are effluent lagoons vetiver pontoons are becoming more common. In China one of our leading specialists in this area, Feng Ziyuan, has over 1000 piggery applicants for this practice.

Photo 1 Shows the effectiveness of trapping herbicides from cotton fields in central Queensland, Australia

Photo 2 Vietnam piggery effluent lagoon with vetiver pontoons

Photo 3 VGT also provides an effective way of protecting the banks of fresh water fish pond, as well as providing some phytoremedial mitigation — Vietnam (Paul Truong)

WASTEWATER TREATMENT AT A SEAFOOD PROCESSING
FACTORY IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

An excellent paper From the University of Cantho, Vietnam, by Luu Thai Danh, Le Thanh Phong, Le Viet Dung and Paul Truong showing the impact of vetiver in treating effluent from a seafood processing plant.

Photo 4 Vetiver pontoons used to treat a very large fish pond effluent lagoon in China (Feng Ziyuan)

Photo 5 Pontoons come in all shapes and sizes, but this one shows a well made pontoon supporting quality vetiver plants that have been well managed.

Photo 6 Vetiver has a useful role to play in treating other agricultural effluents as is being done in Ethiopia where vetiver constructed wetlands treat coffee pulp effluent before it is returned to the adjacent river. Excellent results have been achieved.

See more: Constructed Vetiver Wetlands in Jimma, Ethiopia