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STEVIA |
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STEVIA A SWEET HERB |
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Stevia is a new crop in that is gaining very high popularity amongst all type of sweetener users as most ideal substitute for sugar. Sugar is basically a chemical that has grown in market over last many years. But in this age of changing life styles and people becoming more conscious of their health the worldwide sugar consumption is going down and is getting replaced by the low calorie sweeteners. Many of these sweeteners are complex chemicals or many times naturals as well. |
ADVANTAGES
- Stevia leaves are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Stevia leaves can be dried and stored.
- Stevia can be used in raw form.
- Stevia is short duration crop. Similarly can be harvested 3 / 4 times a year.
- Initial cost of establishment is high 40000 plants per Acre and 5 Rs per plant.
- The yearly yields can be in the range of 4-5 tons Stevia can be sold @ Rs. 60 – 200 per kilo of dried leaves.
- Once planted Stevia can be harvested 3-4 times a year for five years.
STEVIA CULTIVATION
land preparation :-
Stevia plant grow best in rich, well drained soils like red and sandy loam soils. The soil should be of fine tilt and natural ph. level. The land should be initially harrowed and then ploughed to break down the clods .The site should not be susceptible to flooding of or pudding. The raised bed should be of 15 cm (height)and 60 cm (width).The distance between two rows should be 40 cm and that between each plant 30 cm. This would give a plant population of around 20,000 to 30,000 per acre.
Irrigation :- Micro sprinklers/drip are the best method of irrigating Stevia plants to avoid damage by excessive levels of moisture. Frequent light watering is recommended during the summer months while during winter months as the bed starts loosing moisture .
Fertilizer :-Stevia plants responds well to fertilizers with lower nitrogen content than fertilizer with Phosphoric Acids or potash content. Most organic fertilizers would work well since they release Nitrogen slowly. Since the feeder roots of Stevia plant tend to be very near to the surface, It is a good idea to add Compost for extra Nutrients if the soil is Sandy .Sustainable FYM, Wormi compost ,Organic manure/Cow Urine .02% folier spray may be the recommended dose. Nitrogen application is a must for the production of dry matter and good harvest of leaves.
Deweeding and maintenance:-
There is no pest and disease incidence in this crop. In case any disease symptom is noticed, spraying of neem oil diluted in water is the best organic method. Removal of weeds can be done manually. Since the crop is grown on raised beds, interculture operations are easier by manual labor. Flowering of the plant should be avoided. Pinching of the apical bud would enhance bushy growth of the plant with side branches.
Harvesting:-
First harvest can be made after 4-5 months while the subsequent harvest can be made every 3 months for 3 years. The plant are cut just before flowering as the sweetener in the leaf is the maximum at that time. Leaves are harvested by plucking in a small quantity or the entire plant with the side branches is cut leaving 10 to 15cm from the base. The expected yield would be 2700 kgs of dried leaves per acre.
Post Harvest:-
The harvested branches are dried in shade and the dried leaves are stripped off from the branches.The dried leaves are powdered sieved and the fine powder is stored in containers.
profit
| Provisional Cost to Cultivate Stevia in One Acre of Land |
First Year |
Second Year |
| Green Manuring |
Rs. 2,000.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Compost - 5 Trolleys @ Rs. 500 each |
Rs. 2,500.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Vermicompost 1000 kgs @ Rs. 3.5 per kg |
Rs. 3,500.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Land Preparation + Bed Raising |
Rs. 3,000.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Drip Irrigation |
Rs. 30,000.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Planting material 30,000 plants @ Rs. 5.50 |
Rs.165000.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Sowing |
Rs. 2,000.00 |
Rs. -- |
| Weeding |
Rs. 3,000.00 |
Rs. 3,000.00 |
| Irrigation & Supervision |
Rs. 2,500.00 |
Rs. 2,500.00 |
| Harvesting & Drying |
Rs. 5,000.00 |
Rs. 5,000.00 |
| Packing, Transportation & Miscellaneous |
Rs. 11,500.00 |
Rs. 11,500.00 |
| Total Cost |
Rs. 2,30,000.00 |
Rs. 22,000.00 |
Total Output - 2250 Kg. of Dry Leaves
@ Rs. 100.00 per Kg. |
Rs. 2,20,500.00 |
Rs. 2,02,500.00 |
Net Profit |
Rs. .00 |
Rs. 1,80,500.00 |
Note: Prices as per the prevailing market rates. Multiplication of plants depends on proper implementation of package of practices, proper land preparation, weed & pest management, moisture in the soil, careful harvest etc.
