By Victor Gachigi
Stevia plant has been attracting
attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low sugar sweeteners.
The plant has been introduced in Kenya by James Finlay Kenya Limited through
PureCirce Kenya Ltd which was at Sipili DO, s office in Laikipia West on June
9, 2014 to introduce the plant in the region.
Stevia is a natural dietary sweetener
and sugar substitute made from the leaves of the plant species stevia
rebaudiana. Originally from Paraguay in South America, the plant has started to
be embraced in Kenya particularly in Kericho County.
“Main advantage of the plant over the
common cane sugar is that it contains zero calories hence becoming a golden
substitute especially for the diabetics,” said Mr. John Njoroge Muiruri,
Laikipia West PureCircle Ltd Director.
Mr. Njoroge said the plant can be
grown as a cash crop hence boosting the agro-economic activities of the farmers
involved. He said that one Stevia leaf is several hundred times sweeter than
ordinary sugar.
Mr. Njoroge noted that the global
production of Stevia has managed to meet only 30% of the world’s demand. He
said one has a potential of getting up to 600 kgs of the Stevia plant in a one
acre piece of land when dried. Currently a kilo goes for around Ksh 100 thus a
farmer can manage kshs 60,000 gross income after every 3 months as production
increases with every successive harvest.
PureCircle officials together with some farmers |
“The cost of production is about 30% of
the total gross income which means that this can be slashed down if factors
such as the most limiting resource of land can be kept constant by owning land,”
said Mr. Njoroge.
Mr. Samuel Muriithi, a livestock
extension officer who invited PureCircle Ltd in the area informed farmers
that the plant grows well in areas with rainfall requirement of 1,500mm to
2,000mm per annum and preferably well spread throughout the year. He added that
the plant requires an ideal ambient temperature of 10C to 30C.
“The Stevia plant can endure a period
of up to 3 months without any rain and can grow in a variety of soils as long
as they are rich in organic matter,” said Mr.Muriithi.
He said the plant is grown in a
nursery using cuttings such as those used in growing tea leaves though the
nursery needs to be covered with special nets and polyethene materials. Roots
will begin to develop after four days. The plant will have at least three
leaves after four weeks which can be used as seeds. In case of inadequate
rainfall this process can take as much as 8 weeks.
He said beds which are 30 ft long and
2 ft wide are made in the farm where the seedlings are planted. After 3months
the plant is mature and ready to be harvested when a yellowish color begins to
form on the stems. A mature Stevia plant will grow to about one feet high.
To harvest the Stevia, cuttings of the
stems together with the leaves involved leaving out the stubs to enhance
re-growth which marks the beginning of the proceeding plant’s cycle. The next
step involves drying the harvested plant by simply spreading it on the ground
and exposing it to the sun for about five hours which makes the leaves to
separate from the stems. The dried leaves are then collected, weighed and taken
to the market.
He said harvesting can be carried out
six times per year for a period of up to four years though this will depend on
the weather pattern. He said proper cultivation is recommended after every
harvest.
“The plant needs no pesticides because
most insects dislike the sweet juice in the plant’s leaves and it is also
advisable to use organic fertilizer rather than the synthetic ones,” said Mr.
Mureiithi.
Mr. Njoroge promised farmers who are interested
in growing the plant that they will be back in the area with seeds and they
will also provide extension services.
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