#PaulTruong

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

How to make money as a vetiver Farmer?

Easy! By splitting mature plants to produce bare root slips and sell the slips online or local!. .Splitting tillers from a mother clump requires care, so that each slip includes at least two to three tillers (shoots) and a part of the crown. After separation, the slips should be cut back to 20 cm length. The resulting bare root slips can be dipped in various treatments, including rooting hormones, manure slurry (cow or horse tea), clay mud, or simple shallow water pools, until new roots appear. For faster growth the slips should be kept in wet and sunny conditions until planting out.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Vetiver used as a mulch to improve soil moisture?

Vetiver grass (mainly hedges for soil conservation) planted between fruit trees, tea trees and other crop lines must be pruned several times every year. The first pruning occurs at the end of February when the dead leaves and stems that dried out during the winter are removed. Then, from the middle or latter part of June to the middle part of September another 3-4 prunings must take place. 

The pruned leaves and stems are usually used in mulch materials to help resist drought or cold injury to fruit trees, tea bushes and other crops. The mulch is usually placed at the base of the tree, bush or crop or buried in the soil while fertilizing. Farmers have adopted this practice to increase yields as it helps retain soil moisture, lowers soil temperature and resists drought in the summer, while facilitating resistance to cold in the winter.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

Advantages and disadvantages of polybags and planting strips!

#Advantages Plants are hardy and unaffected by exposure to high temperature and low moisture. Lower irrigation frequency after planting. Faster establishment and growth after planting. Can remain on site for longer before being planted. Recommended for harsh and hostile conditions. 

#Disadvantages More expensive to produce. Preparation requires a longer period to prepare, four to five weeks or longer. Transporting large volume and increased weight is expensive. Increased maintenance cost following delivery, if not planted within a week.

[vetivergrassfarming-blog]

9 Things you need to know if you want to be a vetiver farmer!

Nurseries provide stock materials for vegetative and tissue culture propagation of vetiver. The following criteria will facilitate the establishment of productive, easily managed vetiver nursery: 

#Soiltype -Sandy loam nursery beds ensure easy harvesting and minimal damage to plant crowns and roots. Although clay loam is acceptable, heavy clay is not. 

#Topography -Slightly sloping land avoids water-logging in case of over watering. Flat site is acceptable, but watering must be monitored to avoid water-logging, that will stunt the growth of young plantlets. Mature vetiver, however, thrives under waterlogged conditions. 

#Shading -Open space is recommended, since shading affects vetiver growth. Partially shaded areas are acceptable. Vetiver is a C4 plant and likes plenty of sun. 

#Plantinglayout -Vetiver should be planted in long, neat rows across the slope for easy mechanical harvesting. 

#Harvesting -Harvesting mature plants can be performed either mechanically or manually. A machine should uproot the mature stock 20-25cm (8-10’’) lower ground. To avoid damaging the plant crown use a single blade mouldboard plough or a disc plough with special adjustment. 

#Irrigation -Overhead irrigation will evenly distribute water in the first few months after planting. More mature plants welcome flood irrigation. 

#Trainingoperationalstaff -Well trained staff is essential to a nursery’s success.

  #Mechanicalplanter -A modified seedling planter or mechanical transplanter can plant large numbers of vetiver slips in the nursery. 

#Farmmachinery -Basic farm machinery is needed to prepare nursery beds, control weeds, cut grass, and harvest vetiver.