The "upper" part of a vetiver plant

In Haiti, over 30,000 small-scale farmers cultivate vetiver in their hillside fields. Selling the much sought-after roots, which are used to make perfume, provides them with an important source of income. Unfortunately the farmers often harvest the vetiver several times a year or at the wrong time of year. This makes cultivation much less sustainable and means the producers are not guaranteed a good price. The innovative partnership with Firmenich, one of the largest buyers of vetiver oil in Haiti, aims to make sustainable improvements to farming families' production methods and also the environment.

What is vetiver?
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) is a tropical fragrant grass originating from Asia. It forms clumps of around 30 cm in diameter, and grows to a height of 50 - 150 cm. Its dense network of roots grows up to 3 meters downwards into the soil. Vetiver oil is extracted from the cleaned fresh or dried roots by steam distillation.

Vetiver roots from which the oil is distilled.

Haitian vetiver oil is the world's best
Not only is Haitian vetiver oil considered to be the best in the world, but Haiti is also a world champion at producing it. Over half of all vetiver oil originates from Haiti, with 90% of it being exported to Switzerland, France and the United States, where it is primarily used in the manufacture of men's perfumes. The oil is viscous, brown in colour and has an intensely fragrant, earthy-woody aroma.

Difficult conditions for vetiver producers
Because the poor vetiver farmers often have no alternative ways of rapidly obtaining the money they urgently need, they will frequently harvest the crop during the rainy season or clear their entire field all at once. This has fatal consequences. It means they cannot negotiate the best prices for their vetiver. Moreover, the plant's deep roots stabilise the steep slopes, and incorrect harvesting methods can trigger landslips that can sometimes bury inhabited areas and roads. There are no local or government regulations to protect the producers and their families from exploitation or that offer incentives for increased quantity and quality in local production.

Innovative partnership with Firmenich

The hills on which vetiver is cultivated.

Firmenich is a Swiss company that operates throughout the world and has already received several awards for its sustainability projects. Firmenich is one of the largest buyers of vetiver oil in Haiti. The company provides expertise on how high-quality vetiver roots can be sustainably cultivated in increased quantities. Because Firmenich wants to buy environmentally friendly and fairly produced vetiver oil, local distillers have to produce it in an environmentally-friendly way and pay the small-scale farmers a good price for the roots.

Favourable conditions for vetiver producers
The SDC is focusing on improving the conditions for vetiver producers. The intention is to improve the negotiating position and economic situation of farming families:

• By helping vetiver producers to harvest their crop sustainably and profitably.
• By diversifying their products to include other plants such as limes, which can be used to produce essential oils.
• By using the by-products of vetiver plants. For example, the bristles can be used to make works of art and the remaining roots can be made into fuel briquettes and sold.
• By helping communities to actively utilise land use plans and apply their rights, and know how these can help to avert environmental risks.
• Producers will be familiar with their rights and know how to demand them.
• Using the example of the vetiver value chain, working together with authorities at local and national levels to create incentives for more high-quality local production and fair working conditions.

The aim is for vetiver farmers to be able to sustainably generate sufficient income for themselves and their families. The project started with 1,000 farmers in Débouchette. By the end of the project, 30,000 vetiver producers and their families across the entire "Les Cayes–Port Salut" region will be benefiting from it.

The project in brief