Known around the world as 'magic grass', Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) is said to cure 98% of farmers problems.

Vetiver is most commonly planted in a narrow band of hedgerow across a slope. The grass hedgerow acts as a biological filter that spreads out water flow behind it and allows sediment to settle and/or be filtered out by the hedge. The grass is dense and easily forms a continuous hedge barrier. It has strong leaves that withstand water flows. It has strong deep penetrating roots that are akin to "soil nails" that provide stability and prevents soil slippage on steep slopes. Vetiver will grow under a very wide range of ecological conditions.

Planting or harvesting vetiver grass can help in the following ways:

soil stabilisation
hillside terracing and protecting soil runoff
increasing crop yields
pest issues - with crops/ in and around houses
health issues
• snake or rodent problems
• income generation (raising nurseries)
• providing raw material for handcrafts

Ngwainmbi Simon, the Director of BERUDEP is a consultant for the vetiver system and through BERUDEP's education programmes, knowledge has further spread around the world about the natural benefits and advantages of vetiver.

Read the extract here about the Cameroon experience of Vetiver and it's intoduction by BERUDEP (submitted to The Vetiver Network for the International Vetiver Convention 2003)

• The Cameroon experience in putting together a countrywide vetiver program

 Check out the following websites for further information about vetiver

• www.vetiver.com