Stevia, scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, is a natural, calorie-free sweetener. Stevia is a small, herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Paraguay and Brazil, and has been used for centuries by the Guarani people as a natural sweetener. Stevia contains several glycosides, including stevioside and rebaudioside A, which are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a low-calorie, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic sweetener that is gaining popularity worldwide.
Incentives / Subsidies by Government for Stevia Cultivation
The Government of India has introduced various incentives and subsidies for the promotion of agriculture, including the cultivation of stevia. Some of the incentives and subsidies offered by the government for stevia cultivation are:
1. National Horticulture Board (NHB) subsidy: The National Horticulture Board provides a subsidy of up to 50% of the project cost for the establishment of stevia nurseries, processing units, and post-harvest infrastructure.
2. National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) subsidy: The National Mission on Food Processing provides a subsidy of up to 35% of the project cost for the establishment of stevia processing units and value addition activities.
3. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) subsidy: The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana provides a subsidy of up to 50% of the project cost for the establishment of stevia cultivation, infrastructure development, and marketing activities.
4. Subsidy for machinery and equipment: The government provides a subsidy of up to 25% of the cost of machinery and equipment required for stevia cultivation, processing, and value addition.
5. Credit support: The government provides credit support to farmers and entrepreneurs for the establishment of stevia cultivation, processing, and value addition activities through various schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS), and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) loans.
6. Research and development support: The government provides research and development support to public and private research institutions for the development of high-yielding and disease-resistant stevia varieties, and sustainable farming practices.
By availing of these incentives and subsidies, farmers and entrepreneurs can reduce their investment costs and improve their profitability in stevia cultivation and value addition. It also helps to promote the adoption of stevia cultivation and value addition, which can contribute to the growth of the food processing industry and the rural economy.
Agronomic Practices of Stevia Cultivation :
Stevia cultivation requires specific agronomic practices to ensure healthy plant growth and maximum yield. The following are some of the important agronomic practices of stevia cultivation:
1. Land Preparation: The land should be well-prepared by plowing, leveling, and removing weeds and debris before planting stevia. It is recommended to prepare the land by incorporating organic matter and fertilizer into the soil.
2. Planting Material: High-quality planting material is essential for successful stevia cultivation. Tissue-cultured plantlets or rooted cuttings are commonly used for stevia propagation.
3. Spacing: Stevia plants should be spaced at a distance of 30-45 cm between rows and 20-30 cm between plants.
4. Irrigation: Stevia requires frequent and regular watering. It is recommended to provide irrigation through drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation systems.
5. Fertilization: Stevia requires regular fertilization to ensure healthy plant growth and maximum yield. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers such as vermicompost, cow dung, and poultry manure, along with chemical fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
6. Weed Control: Weeding should be done regularly to prevent competition for nutrients and space. Manual weeding or herbicides can be used for weed control.
7. Pest and Disease Management: Stevia is prone to pests and diseases such as aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew. Regular scouting and timely application of insecticides and fungicides can help in controlling pest and disease infestations.
8. Harvesting: Stevia plants can be harvested when they reach maturity, which usually takes around 100-120 days after planting. Harvesting is done by cutting the entire plant above the ground level. Harvested plants should be immediately transported to the processing unit for further processing.
By following these agronomic practices, farmers can ensure healthy plant growth, maximum yield, and quality of stevia plants. Regular monitoring and management of pests and diseases can help in preventing yield loss and ensuring a successful harvest.
Cultivars Available for Stevia Cultivation :
Stevia is a relatively new crop, and research on stevia cultivars is ongoing. Stevia cultivation in India requires cultivars that are well adapted to the local climatic conditions, have high yield potential, and are resistant to pests and diseases. Stevia cultivation requires the selection of suitable cultivars that are well adapted to the local growing conditions and can produce high-quality leaves with a high content of steviol glycosides, which are the natural sweeteners present in the plant. In North East India, the following cultivars have shown promising results in stevia cultivation:
1. Rebaudioside A (Reb A): This is the most widely cultivated stevia cultivar in India. It has a high yield potential and produces sweet compounds with a high content of Reb A, which is the most desirable steviol glycoside.
2. Steviol Glycoside-90 (SG-90): This cultivar has a high content of SG-90, which is a desirable steviol glycoside for commercial stevia production. It is also resistant to pests and diseases.
3. Morita II: This cultivar has a high content of Reb A and produces high yields. It is also resistant to pests and diseases.
4. TSG 24: This cultivar has a high content of total steviol glycosides (TSG) and is well-suited for cultivation in the North Eastern region of India.
5. CRD-1: This cultivar is suitable for cultivation in the temperate regions of India and produces high yields of steviol glycosides.
6. K 13: This cultivar is well-suited for cultivation in the Southern regions of India and produces high yields of steviol glycosides.
7. S 41: This cultivar is well-adapted to the tropical regions of India and produces high yields of steviol glycosides.
8. RRL 44: Developed by the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) in Jorhat, Assam, RRL 44 is a high-yielding cultivar with a stevioside content of 13-14%. It is suitable for cultivation in the hilly regions of North East India.
9. Sakti: Developed by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Sakti is a high-yielding cultivar with a stevioside content of 11-12%. It is suitable for cultivation in the plains and hilly regions of North East India.
10. TISA-1: Developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, TISA-1 is a high-yielding cultivar with a stevioside content of 10-11%. It is suitable for cultivation in the plains and hilly regions of North East India.
11. KSR 1: Developed by the Karnataka State Seed Certification Agency, KSR 1 is a high-yielding cultivar with a stevioside content of 9-10%. It is suitable for cultivation in the plains and hilly regions of North East India.
12. Co-3: Developed by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Co-3 is a high-yielding cultivar with a stevioside content of 8-9%. It is suitable for cultivation in the plains and hilly regions of North East India.
It is recommended to select the cultivars based on the local climatic conditions, soil type, and pest and disease prevalence. Farmers can also consult with local agricultural extension services or research institutions to select the best cultivars for their specific location. These cultivars have shown good adaptation to the local growing conditions in Manipur and can produce high-quality stevia leaves with a high content of steviol glycosides. However, farmers should select the cultivars based on their specific growing conditions and requirements. It is also important to source planting material from reputable sources to ensure the genetic purity and quality of the cultivars.