Watershed restoration using the Vetiver System.

In many parts of the world, villages and their inhabitants are closely connected to the surrounding landscapes, often sharing ownership. Typically, issues related to soil erosion and water pollution are addressed as either agricultural/forestry or urban problems, each requiring different mitigation actions and technologies. However, as urban and farm densities increase, these problems and their solutions increasingly merge and  affect both groups. Vetiver Grass Technology is a unique example where the same plant, vetiver grass, can be used as a crucial component for cross-sector mitigation. With a steady and reliable supply, vetiver grass can be utilized on virtually any land use site.

Restoring a watershed shared by multiple owners with a mix of land use practices is challenging, but the Vetiver System offers potential solutions

A group in Kenya is preparing a plan for a 50-hectare sub-watershed, comprising a mix of farm and residential properties near Nairobi, which has become polluted and eroded due to inadequate farm management practices and the poor disposal of sewage and greywater. The main goal is to restore soil health and decontaminate residential drainage water to enhance the quality of stored water in the sub-watershed dam and its reservoir.  An initial overview of the sub-watershed is laid out in this attached document setting out some of the features of the sub-watershed, the problems, and solutions through Vetiver System applications.

Success depends on community understanding and involvement. Training key community members and developing a vetiver nursery to provide guaranteed supply of plant material are essential steps. The key to restoration success is getting the community to understand their problems and how they can be mitigated using the Vetiver System. The document emphasizes the need for community involvement, training key community members, developing a vetiver nursery, and organizing the community to work together initially in planting vetiver on some demonstration sites. After that, individual landowners will need to continue and expand the application of Vetiver on their properties. Community leaders will need to work closely with participants and provide support and encouragement.

The restoration process will take time and requires a long term commitment, with individuals adopting the Vetiver System according to individual preferences and time lines. Community leaders will need to provide continuous support to ensure sustained efforts and success.