The use of Vetiver Grass to improve sustainable agriculture in the Virgin Islands

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Commodities

• Agronomic: grass (misc. perennial)

Practices

• Crop Production: contour farming, drainage systems
• Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, mentoring, technical assistance, workshop
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, hedgerows, riparian buffers, soil stabilization
• Production Systems: agroecosystems, holistic management
• Soil Management: organic matter

The USVI agriculture census of 2018 (NASS,2018) showed that there were 500 farms, agricultural acreage and total sales had doubled over the previous decade, but the sales/acre had significantly decreased. The cause of the decrease could reflect the continuing drought and decreased productivity.

Farming in the USVI is challenging because of the mountainous topography, stony soil, periods of inadequate and overabundant water, ongoing drought, and the small size of farms. These conditions are powerful barriers to improving crop productivity which can also be severely limited by soil degradation. 33% of the world's soil is degraded, and in the tropics this is most likely higher. (Mbagwu,2004) Primarily this is due to erosion by water. (SWSR,2015).  Many areas of the Caribbean are defined as having highly erodible soil. This is based on several factors, one of which is the effect of rainfall on the amount of erosion and this has been calculated as the erosivity index. (Panagos,2017) The erosivity index in the Caribbean is 4 times higher than the global average. 

The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to climate change and extreme events. These events which include drought, flooding, and hurricanes severely impact farming. In 2017 the USVI sustained severe damage from two category 5 hurricanes, and currently they are experiencing a drought of severe to extreme magnitude. Prior to the 1980s moderate drought occurred every 13-14 years. But in the past 2 decades it has occurred every 3-4 years with the current drought leading to a decreased water table. (Drought,2018) Agriculture is devastated by drought as it leads to decreased crop yields and crop and livestock loss. Implementing the use of the Vetiver System can help reduce the impacts of drought as it improves the retention of water and decreases water runoff.

 Vetiver System is the use of vetiver grass for erosion control, water conservation, slope stabilization, and increased soil carbon sequestration. It is used in over 100 countries and has been proven to improve agricultural sustainability and quality of life. It can adapt to a wide variety of soil types and tolerates both drought and standing water. Vetiver is noninvasive, and the roots form an interlocking matrix that extends up to 9 feet below the surface. It is this characteristic that allows it to be planted in hedgerows along a contour to form a bioterrace, reduce erosion, increase water infiltration, retain nitrogen and phosphorous, and stabilize the soil. (Vetiver,n.d.)

This project will provide in person learning for 100 farmers and interested staff over a two-year period through conferences to allow them to gain knowledge about the use of Vetiver Grass. A smaller cohort will also have an opportunity to use it on their farms to reduce erosion, improve water conservation, and develop a more sustainable agriculture business. By offering teaching, demonstration farms, mentoring, and hands-on experiences this project intends to teach, train, and guide farmers in the use, propagation, and maintenance of Vetiver Grass and to demonstrate how this use can decrease external inputs and increase their productivity.

1. Partner with DOA, UVI Extension, and USDA/NRCS to establish process for outreach and follow-up communication. Contact farmers and schedule 10 presentations on the use of vetiver in St Thomas and St Croix
2. Establish with DOA a vetiver nursery. For experiential teaching and as a source of plant material for the farmers and DOA.
3. Write the curriculum to be presented and the goals for the hands-on experience.
4. Recruit 6 farmers from the 3 islands to commit to the use of the Vetiver System. Schedule sessions at the nursery for training. The farmer will be provided with planting material to begin planting hedgerows.
5. Schedule farm visits to view and case manage any problems. Add 6 additional farmers for training and plantings.