EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The association, Entreprendre au Féminin ? Océan Indien has decided to set up a project of distillation of essential oils using vetiver roots. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Ferme des Iles Association, which will primarily use the plants for treating pig effluents and after harvesting provide the roots to EFOI for the other uses thus providing a source of economic activity for women entrepreneurs. Dried vetiver roots will be used for handicraft purposes.

Entreprendre au Féminin ? Océan Indien is an association of women entrepreneurs of micro-enterprises set up for the promotion of Women Entrepreneurship in the Indian Ocean. The economic activities of its 60 members span four broad industry sectors, namely agriculture, handicraft, manufacturing and service. Through their intensive research, they came across the works of:
· Dr Paul Truong from Vet icon Consulting Pty Ltd, Australia on Vetiver Grass Technology and
· Dr Umesh Lavania from the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow , India on Vetiver oil and other uses of vetiver roots

Information regarding expertise and training facilities from Réunion Island and Madagascar is also being sought.

Vetiver exists in Mauritius in two species, Zizanoides (exotic) and Arguta (endemic), the two species will be used for this project.
For the purpose of the project, vetiver will be obtained from two sources:
(i) FDI?s pig farm in Bel Ombre using vetiver technologies in pig wastes management (GEF-SGP project)
(ii) Cultivation of Vetiver on one acre of land leased to EFOI by the Municipality of Curepipe. It is also proposed to cultivate endemic plants including medicinal ones (citronella,camphor etc) on this plot of land.


Vetiver roots and leaves provided by FDI will be used inter alia:
· for extraction of essential oil. According to researches, vetiver is known for its perfumery and medicinal value since ancient times and the essential oil distilled from the roots of vetiver is one of the most complex mixtures of sesquiterpene alcohols and hydrocarbons and also one of the most viscous oils with an extremely low rate of volatility. Slow evaporation rate of vetiver oil coupled with its pleasant aroma makes it a perfume by itself.
· for handicraft purposes(the dried roots) floral compounds (vetiver root is one of the finest fixative known), ventilating screens that provide cool air effect and pleasant aroma when moistened.
· for low-priced and environmental friendly pots for plants (the leaves)
The project is unique in that it maximises the use of the vetiver plant ( an omni-useful plant) and provides a source of sustainable income for different groups of entrepreneurs.

Concerning the innocuity of the essential oil obtained from roots that have been used on pig wastes, Dr Lavania from CIMAP has confirmed that studies conducted on pollution mitigation by Vetiver Technology have indicated that the oil is mainly stored in the bast cells which is not the site of salt absorption.

This project is in line with the GEF-SGP Country Program Strategy, which promotes activities that add value to biodiversity resources, i.e. to develop social and biological systems protecting species while harvesting communities capture the added value. It is also in line with Government policy, which is to promote entrepreneurship to alleviate poverty.

Vetiver oil has traditionally been known for its perfumery value, for this project, EFOI being aware of the increasing interest in ayurvedic treatment, will work on its related application which is aromatherapy.
A survey in hotels, sales outlets, the Association of Physiotherapists and Spa centres is being conducted.
The total budget of the project is estimated to be Rs.3,522,500. A request of Rs. 1,350,250 is being submitted to the GEF/SGP.

Other projected and committed co funding in kind and in cash are:
· One acre of land and premises
· Remuneration for personnel
· Visits in the context of the project