The first implementation of the Vetiver Education & Empowerment Project (VEEP) model took place in Paramin between 2016 and 2017, and played an important and impactful role of reintroducing vetiver grass to the hillside farming community, while serving as an invaluable learning opportunity for all future VEEP-model projects and activities to follow which were led by IAMovement.

The Vetiver Education & Empowerment Project (VEEP) was originally conceptualized by Mr Jonathan Barcant of Vetiver TT Ecological Engineering Solutions Ltd, and Ms Jaime Romany of the Paramin Development Committee (PDC) to introduce vetiver grass to Paramin to help solve many major issues such as slope stabilization, erosion control, infrastructure protection, and to help with soil and water conservation in agriculture. Once the project began, it was discovered that vetiver grass actually used to exist in Paramin long ago, and the older generations were familiar with it including having memories of its correct implementation in hedgerow formation to rehabilitate and protect land and infrastructure. But over time, the knowledge got lost and almost all vetiver was killed off using chemical herbicides by those unaware of its value. Among those who had memory and knowledge about this unique plant, it is commonly called by its local name, “Metiver”.