18. SCOPE OF VETIVER GRASS FOR INCOME GENERATION IN RURAL AREAS OF NEPAL TERAI.

18. SCOPE OF VETIVER GRASS FOR INCOME GENERATION IN RURAL AREAS OF NEPAL TERAI.

Rameshwar Singh PANDE

(Published in : Pande, R.S. 1996: Scope of Vetiver grass for income generation in rural areas of Nepal, Terai. Thailand International Conference Vetiver: A miracle Grass. February 4-8, 1996.Bangkok, Thailand. Also appeared in: http://www.vetiver.com/THA_con.htm)

Abstract: Matured flower heads of Vetiver grass have been used traditionally for making baskets, beans etc since time immemorial in the Terai regions of Nepal. The dried root hairs are used for making hanging mats which are used for aromatic and have cooling effects during hot days. Recently, the products of the Vetiver grass have been promoted by various NGO's working in the rural areas as an alternative to income generation especially for the rural women. Vetiver grass has been growing as a native species up to 1400 m altitude. It occures on the barren crop lands, bunds and banks of canal, river and road sides. The species has been threatened to its existence as farmers used to uproot the plants and clean it, because the thick mats of the plants offer an ideal place to harbor harmful insects, rodents and anakes. The plant is less palatable to the livestock, its importance in soil conservation has been lately realized. In the present study a RRA method has been used to investigate the various products of the Vetiver grass and the status of marketing of the products.

