Land degradation is one of the major challenges in agricultural production in many parts of the
world, especially in developing nations like Ethiopia. Even though a number of soil and water
conservation measures were introduced to combat land degradation, mainly because of high
construction cost and lack of skilled manpower, adoption of these practices remains below
expectations. By the initiation of World Bank, since 1980s vetiver grass as bio-soil and water
conservation measure got acceptance and almost 120 counties of the world are adopting and
practicing it. Since 1990s, vetiver grass is used in Ethiopia as one of the soil and water
conservation measures. Therefore, this study concentrated on the role of vetiver grass for soil
and water conservation in Tulube Peasant Association, Metu District of Illubabor Zone, South
West Ethiopia.
Data was collected from 112 randomly selected farm households using structured questionnaire,
interview with government and NGO officials of the area, workgroup discussion with carefully
selected community members. Bothe qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gather
and descriptive statistics was employed to analyze and assess farmers’ perception on the use of
Vetiver grass and to identify the major role it played in soil and water conservation.
This study identified that Vetiver grass is the cheapest and easily handled by farmers of the area.
The assessment of farmers’ perception on Vetiver grass and its use for soil and water
conservation showed that most of the farmers got awareness by the NGOs. But illiteracy, land
size and ownership problems hinder the further expansion of vetiver grass to the area.
This study also identified that Vetiver grass is a very simple, practical, inexpensive, low
maintenance and very effective means of soil and water conservation, sediment control, land
stabilizations and rehabilitation. Farmers who planted vetiver grass on their farm land have
been benefited both in land management and as a source of income which improved has their
socio economic status in the community.