Aparri propagates ‘Vetiver grass’ for coastal, riverbank planting

By Oliver T. Baccay

Tuesday 2nd of October 2012

APARRI, Cagayan, Oct 2 (PIA) -- Locals in this town have been tapped to propagate and plant "Vetiver" grass along the coastal zones and riverbanks to mitigate erosion and flooding impact to the communities, as well as an adaptation mechanism on sea-level rise.

Mayor Ismael Tumaru said the project is a joint effort of the World Food Programme (WFP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit (LGU), which aims to pilot use Vetiver grass to help prevent riverbank erosion and flooding of coastal communities.

Aparri, which is situated in the northern tip of the country, is assessed to be prone to recurrent typhoons and flooding as well as rising sea levels.

Through the cash-for-work program of the DSWD, some unemployed individuals were hired to plant the grass species along the irrigation channels, which will prevent water overflows that often damage rice paddies.

As part of the concept, the Manglares Coastal Resources Foundation, a non-government organization based in Los Banos, Laguna, provided training in the use and techniques of planting and propagating Vetiver grass. The LGU complemented some resources while some community members offered their private lands as propagation area.

Michelle McGonagle, WFP program coordinator, said the intensive propagation of the grass species is incorporated in the project to enable other coastal and flood-prone communities to purchase the said plant in this town rather than from commercial outlets.

Vetiver grass is a type of perennial grass with far-reaching roots and tall, densely tufted leaf blades. It has many uses, but it is primarily known for its effectiveness in preventing soil and moisture loss, particularly in agricultural settings. It is most often planted in hedgerows to provide optimum slope protection. (TCB/OTB-PIA 2)