Harnessing Power of Vetiver: Insights from Day 2 Plenary Session at 7th International Conference on Vetiver (ICV-7) in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Today, on the Day 2 of the Vetiver Network International (TVNI) Tribute event, the winners of the TVNI Awards who were announced on Day 1 will be giving presentations and recognizing their exceptional works and achievements in the field of Vetiver System Technology.

The event has been attended by esteemed researchers, experts, and industry professionals and has been showcasing cutting-edge research, development, and applications of Vetiver System Technology.

Richard Grimshaw Founder, Vetiver Network International (TVNI) will commence the programme by presenting TVNI TRIBUTE.

Dr Paul Truong, a TVNI Board Member and Technical Director is presenting  the "Current and Trends in Research, Development & Application of Vetiver System Technology." His insightful talk will shed light on the latest advancements in this field.

Prof. Umesh Chandra Lavania from India will be presenting on "Designer Vetiver Genotypes for Environmental and Industrial Applications." His innovative approaches will hold great promise for utilizing vetiver grass in various industries.

Dr Sarawut Ninsawat, an Associate Professor in Remote Sensing and GIS will introduce the audience to the "International Vetiver Grass Tracking System (iVGT)."

Among the highlights of the event include the presentations by the winners of the TVNI Awards, which will acknowledge outstanding contributions to the Vetiver System. Notable winners include:

Agricultural Application category: Zhongxian Lu, Yanhui Lu, Xusong Zheng, Guangchun Gao, and Hongxing Xu from China recognized their research on using vetiver grass as a trap plant to control the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis.

Non-Agricultural Application category: Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, Nguyen Quoc Dinh, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao, and Vu Thi Lan Anh from Vietnam will be honoured for their work on using vetiver phytoremediation technology to mitigate dioxin-contaminated soils at Bien Hoa Airbase in Dong Nai, Vietnam.

Dissemination and Technology Transfer category: Ziyuan Feng from China received accolades for developing the Comprehensive Miniaturized Sewage Treatment Technology, which has significant implications for wastewater management.

Application of the Vetiver System category: Eric Wiediger and Brad Granley from the United States will recognize their work on applying the Vetiver System for landfill leachate disposal, demonstrating its efficacy in addressing environmental challenges.

Moreover, the event is going to feature presentations by winners of the Outstanding People Participation category:

On-farm Applications and Socio-economic Impacts: Edwin Oyaro, Dr Nicola Greene, and Henock Belete from Kenya will share their success story of "The Green Latrine," a low-cost sustainable sanitation solution for rural settlements.

Disaster Mitigation or Environmental Protection: Antonio Carrillo Bolea from Mexico will be presenting on "Climate Risk Reduction and Soil Conservation Tool for Agriculture: Keyline Vetiver Hedges Minimum Standard V.1.3," showcasing the significant role of vetiver hedges in reducing climate-related risks and soil conservation.

The TVNI Awards celebrated these remarkable individuals and their contributions to the Vetiver System, highlighting its potential to address a range of environmental and societal challenges.

Following the awardees’ presentations, the event will transition into a business meeting where industry leaders and stakeholders will engage in discussions to further promote the adoption and implementation of Vetiver System Technology.

The TVNI Tribute and Awards ceremony served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and recognition of the exceptional efforts in advancing Vetiver System Technology. The event will showcase the power of this innovative approach to creating sustainable solutions for a greener future.