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VETIVER SYSTEM DISSEMINATION IN �MYANMAR�

Than Than Sein

Myanmar Organic Growers and Producers Association and Myanmar Vetiver Network

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Introduction

The reputation of Vetiver system was studied from the writings of John Green Field (Newzealand) and Dick Grimshaw (USA).
Myanmar Engineer – U Thane Mor ( Founder of Myanmar Vetiver Network) translated the Vetiver Grass written by John C Greenfield
It was both beneficial and motivated for Myanmar which was facing with damaged eco-system.
In Myanmar, legal pesticide imports have gradually increased by almost 81%, from 11,000 tons to 20,000 tons, between 2011 and 2018.
Most of Myanmar cultivated land became worse and worse .
MOGPA would like to maintain Myanmar agro-ecosystem and health condition of Myanmar people.
We all believed that Vetiver is the best solution for many problems facing in Myanmar eco-system .

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Myanmar was initiated by this book

John Greenfield –Vetiver developing a system of soil and moisture conservation that would be sustainable in extremes of climate.
In his life, he has seen how inappropriate the accepted constructed systems of conservation are and made it his mission to develop a simple sustainable system that is eco-friendly and affordable to the poorest of the poor subsistence farmers world wide.
He introduced the Vetiver System concept to India in 1980s – he is the Father of Vetiver.
He authored the Green Book,
Vetiver Grass – A Hedge Against Erosion.
U Thane Mor Translated to Myanmar Version

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Vetiver grass became our favorite plant

Vetiver is a densely tufted bunch grass which can be easily established in both tropics and temperate regions of the world
Vetiver play a vital role in watershed protection by slowing down and spreading runoff harmlessly on the farmland, recharging ground water, reducing siltation of drainage systems and water bodies, reducing agro-chemicals loading into water bodies and for rehabilitation of degraded soils.
Water saving in dry season
It could tolerate extremely high levels of heavy metals.
It could be used as biological pest control.
Vetiver create the refuge of soil micro-organism .
MVA and MOGPA …. Worked together to Myanmar eco-system .

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Vital play a vital role in Climate Smart Agriculture CSA

MOGPA collaborated with Myanmar Vetiver Network(MVN) to transfer the valuable Vetiver technology in Myanmar agriculture sector.

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach that helps guide actions to transform agri-food systems towards green and climate-resilient practices.

A vital role in CSA with its capacities for

carbon sequestration,
water conservation,
reforestation,
pest control activities and
phytoremediation of toxic materials in cultivated lands.

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Vetiver Hedgerows at Surbung Airport, Chin State

Surbung airport was constructed in Chin State of Myanmar where is hilly region.
It is difficult to build the running way for aeroplanes.
MVN helped to solve the problem with Vetiver grass.
Vetiver grass hedgerows were first planted in 2018, during a period between April and May, at the Surbung Airport in Falam, Chin State to protect landfills from rainwater erosion.
Since 2019, Vetiver grass hedgerows on the new landfills are planted each year by the Department of Civil Aviation.

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Introduction the vetiver grass for soil erosion control in surbung airport, chin state, Myanmar

Mud ball covered to roots of vetiver slips

Carrying the heavy Slips boxes

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Brought delta region to chin state

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Running way of Aeroplane at Surbung Airport, Chin State

VETIVER HEDGEROWS AT

SURBUNG AIRPORT

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Myanmar Vetiver Network ( MVN ) introduced

to Myanmar people the

iVGT ( International Vetiver Grass Tracking -

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To prevent the pagoda from collapsing,

In order to reduce the overhead, it is necessary to remove unnecessary weight.
When it rains heavily, it is necessary to make drainage channels that cannot seep out.
Next to the slope of the bank, we need to plant rows of vetiver long grass along the horizontal lines (maximum of 6 acres per plant, about 3 feet apart from each row).
At the bottom of the pagoda cliff, by planting plants such as water lily in a systematic way, the erosion of the river is reduced.
At the bottom of the bank, we need to build gabions to support the weight of the bank above and to reduce river erosion.
If possible, soil testing should be done by an Engineering Geologist or Geotechnical Engineer to examine soil strength and slope stability.

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Strengthening to Irrigation Canals

Embankment stabilization in Nepal
Stabilize gold mine slag heaps in South Africa
Stabilize flood embankments, and
River and canal embankments in Bangladesh

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Strengthening to Irrigation Canals

In Myanmar also,10,000 Vetiver grass slips are supplied to Irrigation Department, Hinthada from a nursery in Lay EainSu village, Maubin Township on 20.5.2017 under the arrangement of MVN.

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Methods of Dissemination the Vetiver Technology

Vetiver Grass

Technology trainings for the organic farmers

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VGT Trainings and Public Talk�

70% of Myanmar populations are living in rural area and highly reliant on agriculture livelihood.
Extension education is also weaker and weaker to rural area with difficult transportation.
The worst thing was pushed to use herbicide to farmers.
Most of people thought grass are weed and need to eradicate from the community.
They did not know , VGT is the best solution for their soil degradation problems , water saving and enhancement of soil fertility.
Special curriculum was designed for the farmers to introduce the VGT.

Implementation and Discussion

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Utilization in Agriculture

UNSDG, United Nation Sustainable Development Goal released to carry out the sustainable farming systems, Agro-forestry, Integrated Farming, Organic Agriculture, Permaculture and SRI (System of Rice Intensification).
MOGPA is trying to meet the SDG goals, two sustainable farming system (Organic Farming and Permaculture) were introduced to Myanmar farmers.
Organic farming was intended to create isolated agro-eco system with good bio-diversity. Contamination of toxic materials protection could be done by buffer zone management.
Vetiver is the best to protect the contamination by growing in buffer zone.
MOGPA and MVN disseminated the Vetiver Technology to the farmers trainees in Organic Farming training.
Nurseries owner provided the vetiver slips for their organic farm.

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Vetiver slips were delivered to the trainees after Organic Agriculture and Vetiver Trainings in Myanmar and cultivated together in community for more exposure.

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Application in Agriculture

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Water Conservation

Myanmar has different agro-ecological zone of both tropical and temperate weather.
Myanmar topography is also various including plain, delta and mountainous regions where are valuable water catchment area.
Due to the slash and burn cropping system and deforestations , natural water springs became less and less.
That was why, vetiver education was emphasized in hilly regions for water conservation at natural water springs.

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Vetiver Plantations for Water Conservation and

Erosion Control - Northern Shan State

Vetiver Grass grown near Natural

water spring- Lashio

Water Conservation in Plantations

Opium Detoxification
Mahakusalarama Buddhist Monastery, Lashio, Northern Shan State
Natural Spring from Mountains

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Establishment of Vetiver nurseries in Myanmar

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Conclusion

The author studied for her Master's Degree at the
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
Royal King’s Projects for community development in Chitralada Grand Palace were highly impressive and motivated during her excursion school days.
King’s loving kindness to the Thai people is the greatest example of the person her admire most.
In 2011, she worked as Visiting Professor at Mahasarakham University in Thailand. The author knew more about the King.

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His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand (King Rama IX) had been emphasizing the importance of sustainable natural resources management by means of “nature cures nature.”
As regard to the prevention of topsoil erosion, His Majesty first conveyed the idea of using vetiver grass on 22 June 1991 and again later in many other occasions.
Myanmar Organic Growers and Producers Association was founded and worked together with Myanmar Vetiver Network for soil and water conservation activities.

Nature Cures Nature