Stevia

STEVIA CULTIVATION

Author: Pankaj Kalita

Organization: Organic Innovation, Guwahati

Phone: 9085578408

organicinnovationassam.blogspot.com

Abstract

Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni (Bertoni) is a perennial herbaceous plant and is part of the Asteraceae family. It is an incredibly sweet herb, obtained by a natural selective breeding process of the sweetest Stevia parent plants. The sweetener, stevioside, extracted from the plants, is 300 times sweeter than sugar. The fresh leaves have nice liquorices taste. It is sugarless, contains no calories, no fat, no carbohydrates, it is highly recommended for weight loss program, it contains natural trace elements like iron, magnesium, calcium etc.. It has antibacterial effect as it impedes the growth of bacteria. It also has anti fungal properties make it useful in treatment with yeast infections as natural sweetener it is used in healthy diets, diabetes etc.

It regulates blood pressure, fights cavities, induces pancreas to produce more insulin, has skin care properties, it is a flavor enhancer and acts as a general general tonic.

Driven by a near perfect storm of demand, the market for all natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is increasing dramatically. A leading stevia manufacturer has predicted a global stevia products industry using Reb A could be valued at $10 billion in coming years. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously estimated that stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010. Market drivers include soaring rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Consumer demand for low and non-calorie, natural foods with clear labeling is on the rise. Consumers worldwide also remain concerned about artificial sweeteners’ safety. Governments worldwide are developing policies and regulations to penalize

The rapidly growing demand for stevia sweeteners is also in lockstep with a looming shortfall in sugar supply. Driven largely by increasing demand in India and China, the price of sugar price rose from about $0.10 per lb. to more than $0.60 per lb. over the last 10 years. Global sugar consumption is forecast to rise by more than 50% to nearly 260 million tons by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that stevia could eventually replace 20%-30% of the global dietary sweetener intake. Also considering the water scarcity that the world is currently facing and that sugarcane is a water guzzler, stevia cultivation is also beneficial for conserving the water resources of the globe while catering to the craving of mankind for sweet!

1. About STEVIA Cultivation Practices

1.1 Introduction

Stevia is an incredibly sweet herb, obtained by a natural selective breeding process of the sweetest Stevia parent plants. The sweetener, stevioside, extracted from the plants, is 300 times sweeter than sugar. The fresh leaves have nice liquorices taste.

The documented properties of Stevia are antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-yeast, cardio tonic, diuretic, hypoglycemic and hence a boon to diabetic people, hypertensive, tonic, and vasodilator. Indeed, the leaves contain diterpene glycosides with a sweet taste but which are not metabolized and contain no calories. The biggest part of the sweet glycosides consists of the stevioside molecule.

Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni (Bertoni) is a perennial herbaceous plant and is part of the Asteraceae family. This family includes well-known plants such as dandelion, sunflower and chicory. The history of the culture of Stevia mainly stems from Paraguay and Brazil. Originally Stevia only grew in the northern regions of South America but its cultivation has become popular worldwide. They use it, amongst other things, to make "mate" herbal tea.

1.2 Stevia Facts

*****Glycosides in the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, (including up to 10% Stevioside), account for its incredible sweetness

*****Stevia is often referred to as the "sweetest plant of the world".

*****One acre of Stevia Rebaudiana cultivation would produce sweetener equivalent to 36 Acres of Sugar Cane more so the sweetness in Stevia Rebaudiana leaves is healthy and harmless

*****Stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar

*****Stevia is safe and effective to use for cooking and baking.

1.3 Need of Stevia Cultivation

Stevia would bring a dramatic impact as a weight loss and 'weight management aid exceptionally.

Stevia possessing an anti-microbial property can be used in all the sweets, as it does not enhance the growth of any bacteria in the teeth, unlike the sugar

Stevia usage in Bakery & Beverages has large potential.Instead of sweeteners with known adverse side effects in the long run.

Stevia is a cash crop with low risk and assured tax free returns in a period as short as 6 months. Scientific cultivation and careful selection of planting material can yield very high returns for three years as compared to traditional crops

Due to the increased awareness towards use of Herbal and traditionally accepted medicinal plants, a very good market domestic& international is coming up for the medicinal plants and Herbals.

Herbal plant is Stevia "Stevia Rebaudiana" or Stevia, a native of Paraguay, which provides whopping Rs. 5 lakhs returns in a cycle of three years per acre.

Stevia side has a few advantages over artificial sweeteners in that it is stable at high temperatures(100.C)

The Stevia leaf contains

· proteins

· fibers

· carbohydrates

· iron

· phosphorus

· calcium

· potassium

· sodium

· magnesium

· zinc

· rutin & vitamins A and C

WHY STEVIA IS BETTER THAN SUGAR

COMPARISON: STEVIA / SUGAR

Per 2 Teaspoons of SugarSteviaSugarNutraSweet (Aspartame)Splenda (Sucralose)Sweet N’ Low (Saccharin)Natural vs. ArtificialNaturalNaturalArtificialArtificialArtificialCalories032000Net Grams08g1g1g1gGylcemic Index07000

1.4 Description Its leaves are about 5 cm long and 2 cm wide and are planted crosswise, facing each other. In the wild, the height of the plant varies from 40 to 80 cm but when cultivated, the Stevia can become 1 meter high. Stevia can be grown on relatively poor soil. The plants can be used for commercial production for 6 years, during which five times a year a harvest takes place of the part of the plant that is above the ground. The roots remain in place and so the plant regenerates again. Plants, which are 1 meter high, have a dry weight of 70 g on average. The dry weight of the leaves can vary from 15 to 35 g per plant.

1.5 Medicinal Properties

Stevia contains Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and the sweet compounds in the leaf called glycosides

1. Sugarless

2. Contains no calories, no fat, no carbohydrates

3. Highly recommended for weight loss program

4. Contains natural trace elements (iron, magnesium, calcium etc..)

5. Antibacterial effect if it impedes the growth of bacteria’s.

6. Anti fungal properties make it useful in treatment with yeast infections as natural sweetener it is used in healthy diets, diabetes etc.

1.6 Uses

Apart from uses as sweetener this wonderful herb has other medicinal virtues such as per WHO findings.

v Regulates blood pressure

v Fights cavities

v Induces pancreas to produce more insulin

v Skin care

v Flavor enhancer

v General Tonic

1.7 Land Preparation

The land sites are plowed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.1 to 2 ploughing has to be done after harrowing. Around 25 MT of FYM / acre has to be applied as a basal dressing during the last ploughing to incorporate the manure with the soil.

1.8 Soil Type

Red Soil and sandy loam are best for the cultivation of Stevia with a 6-8 Ph

1.9 Raised Bed Preparations

Forming raised beds is the most economical way to grow Stevia. The raised bed should be of 15 cm in height and 60 cm in width. The distance between two rows should be half feet. With such spacing the plant population is around 40,000 plants per acre

1.10 Planting

Depending on different climatic conditions Stevia is cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia plug plants are planted into the field on either 53 cm or 61 cm row spacing with a total plant density in the order of 100,000 plants per hectare.

1.11 Fertilization

The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements; however a soil test should be conducted. The recommended dose of fertilizer is 110:45:45 NPK /Neem Organic Manure. This requires 4 ½ bags of urea, 2 bags of DAP and 2 bags of Potash / 8 bags of organic Manure. The entire dose of DAP is applied as the basal dressing. The Nitrogen and Potash fertilizer can be split and applied as TEN doses in every month. Nitrogen application is a must for the production of dry mattes

1.12 Irrigation

Normally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week. Micro sprinkler is the best method of irrigating Stevia plants. Flood or canal irrigation would not supply the required amount of water at the right time. Micro sprinklers, can be used to sprinkle the water once in a day in winter and 4 times in a day in summer or more depending upon the heat and relative humidity in the air.

1.13 Maintenance

Flowering of the plant should be avoided. Since Stevia has a significant apical dominance, the plant tends to grow tall and lanky. Pinching of the apical bud would enhance busy growth of the plant with side branches

1.14. Organic Application and Plant Protection

There is no such pest and disease incidence in this crop. In case, any disease symptoms are noticed, spraying of neem oil diluted in water is the best organic method. For root grubs use castor oil mixed with cow manure and spray very little near the plant. Neem oil spray 30ml is added to I liter of water and stirred well. To this emulsifier is added (I ml / I liter). It is very essential to add the emulsifier and mix properly. This should be used immediately before the oil droplets start 40 floating. Spraying should be undertaken in the morning or late in the evening. During hot conditions the frequency of spraying should be more. In winter spraying once in 10 days and in rainy season, every day spraying is recommended. Insects lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. Hence it is important to spray on the underside of the leaves as well. While using a powder sprayer reduce the quantity of spraying to half.

1.15 Weed Control

This crop requires hand hoeing and weeding.

1.16 Pests

Insect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease can cause considerable damage to the Stevia crop. Animals seem to like the sweet taste of Stevia, too. 1.17 Harvesting

Time of harvesting depends on land variety and growing season. Generally it can be scheduled when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering. Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant will tolerate every low temperature

1.18 Drying

Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C.

1.19 Threshing

Immediately following drying, a specially designed thresher/separator is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem. Stem and leaf portions tend to be equally represented at 3,000 kg/ha each.

2. Market for Stevia Produce

2.1 A Perfect Storm Driving Market Demand

Driven by a near perfect storm of demand, the market for all natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is increasing dramatically. A leading stevia manufacturer has predicted a global stevia products industry using Reb A could be valued at $10 billion in coming years. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously estimated that stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010. Market drivers include:

· Soaring rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Increases in the rates of these diseases are linked to high consumption of sugar and/or high-calorie sweeteners, and are soaring worldwide.

· Consumer demand for low and non-calorie, natural foods with clear labelling. Consumers worldwide also remain concerned about artificial sweeteners’ safety.

· Governments facing rapidly rising health care goods. Governments worldwide are developing policies and regulations to penalize unhealthy diets and support healthy ones.

· Michelle’s Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative targets childhood obesity. In June 2009, top US nutrition experts, health organizations, leading doctors and medical academics joined forces to ask President Barack Obama to combat obesity by creating a Presidential Commission on “Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives” to coordinate the activities of the Departments of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other agencies involved in food and health, to create policies that promote health across the country.

· Sugar prices recently hit 30-year highs. Rising demand for corn for biofuel has been pushing up the price for sugar’s traditional lower-cost alternative, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

· The rapidly growing demand for stevia sweeteners is also in lockstep with a looming shortfall in sugar supply. Driven largely by increasing demand in India and China, the price of sugar price rose from about $0.10 per lb. to more than $0.60 per lb. over the last 10 years. Global sugar consumption is forecast to rise by more than 50% to nearly 260 million tons by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that stevia could eventually replace 20%-30% of the global dietary sweetener intake.

2.2 Stevia’s Popularity Spans the Globe

Food consultancy Zenith International reports that stevia products saw a 27% increase in worldwide volume sales in 2010 over 2009, taking its overall market value to US$285 million. From mid-2009 to mid-2010, new product launches using stevia extracts increased by 200%, with products launched in 35 countries – 237 new products in the first half of 2010 alone, according to market research firm Mintel’s Global New Product Database (GNPD). Mintel values the natural sweetener product market at US $763 million in 2010, with the stevia market alone at $670 million. A leading stevia manufacturer has projected that stevia will penetrate 20% to 25% of the US$60 billion global sugar/ sweetener market.

Regulatory approval in the European Union (granted in November 2011) has set the stage for stevia use to explode on the other side of the Atlantic in 2012 and beyond. Asia Pacific, where the ingredient has been used as a sweetener in some regions for decades, has the largest market share for stevia at 35.7%, followed by North America (30%) and South America (24.3%).

3. Stevia Products

4. About Organic Innovation and its Works

ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati provides consultancy, guidance, technical and entrepreneurship related capacity building support in agribusiness with a focus on popularizing Stevia Cultivation in the North eastern Region. It also has buy back agreement with producers. It also has collaborations with a number of buyers for marketing and selling raw product and manufactured products. Some name of Companies is given here. .

1. Wubitu Eco International Pvt Ltd

Near Sukafa Bhaban, Jayanagar

Guwahati , Assam – 781022

Contact : 7002963204

2. Shivam Herbal, C-I03, MIDC, Waluj,

Aurangabad-431 136.

3. Siri Agritech

Opp. Lane to Srinivasa Theatre, Markapur-523 316.

Prakasham Dist. Andhra Pradesh

4. .Shravula Biotech P\1. Ltd.

0-2-289/13, Shanthi Nagar, Hyderabad - 500 028.

5. Sudershan Herbal Plantations,

1-3-2, Kavadiguda. Hyderabad-500 080

6. Sunrise Agriland development & research Pvt.Ltd

Mahaveer Nagar –II.Maharani Farm,Jaipur (Rajsathan)

Organic Innovation in Action and News

Bibliography

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Top 3 Trends Impacting the Global Stevia Market Through 202. Business Wire; 2017.

Global Stevia Market Outlook To 2025. Ameri Research Inc.; 2018

Bhatt, S. Why Indian farmers are struggling to ensure stevia becomes a product for the masses. Economic Times; 2018

Reddy, J. Stevia Cultivation Project Report, Cost and Profit. Agri Farming; 2018

Bhutia P.H, Sharangi A. B. Stevia: Medicinal Miracles and Therapeutic Magic. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology; 2016, 45-59 p

Stevia properties. Botanical Online. Article Available at URL: https://www.botanical-online.com/en/natural-products/stevia-properties

Suresh V, Preethi Fetricia J, Saranya V, Sarithra S, Tamilselvan K. Uses of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2018; 247-248 p