Organic Vetiver sector

In the very north of the island, on the Montagne d'Ambre, we've been helping to finance an increase in the area under organic Vetiver cultivation since 2015. Indeed, with each harvest, part of the plants harvested have been divided and replanted to reach a surface area of 13ha of cultivation, 10ha destined for distillation and 3ha that serve as a nursery. Harvesting is done by hand, and distillation takes place on site.

During the rainy season (January to March), vetiver plants are pulled out by hand using a crowbar. These plants are then split to make cuttings for new plantings. The plants used to make cuttings are 24 months old; each plant makes between 3 and 4 cuttings. High-density planting of the cuttings is carried out by hand, as is weeding in the first year.

During the dry season from July to December, depending on the climate, the roots of 18-month-old vetiver plants are harvested, washed, dried, cut and distilled.