CONVERSE: Conservation of vetiver systems and social and environmental responsibility

CONTEXT

Vetiver growing is of great economic importance to the Southern Department of Haiti. Vetiver roots are sold to distillation plants which extract the essential oil used by perfumery industries.  

But the cropping system is at the origin of important erosion phenomena: vetiver is cultivated in monoculture, usually on sloping ground, without any soil protection and conservation practice. 

The systems are not sustainable: land degradation, reduced yields, lower incomes for family farms. 

It is in this context that Agrisud operates, in partnership with a farmers cooperative, which includes more than 300 family farms, and with a distillation plant. 

OBJECTIVES AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

• Curbing erosion in vetiver cropping systems to ensure satisfactory production over time. 
• Diversifying agricultural activities to improve family income sources and food and nutrition security.  

RESULTS

• 180 family farms supported in the development of their vetiver plots against erosion and in the adoption of environment-friendly farming practices  
• 180 farms supported in strengthening other agricultural activities (sustainable improvement of productivity and sustainability of systems)  
• 1 cooperative and 1 distillation plant strengthened in their capacity to set up and develop sustainable supply chains  

KEY PROJECT INFORMATION