Guide to High-Value Farming with Stevia Cultivation in India

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Stevia Cultivation
• What are the Benefits of the Stevia Crop?
• Cultivation Practices of Stevia
  • Soil & Climate
  • Propagation & Planting
  • Transplantation
  • Irrigation
  • Manure & Fertilizer
  • Intercultural Operations
  • Disease Management    
  • Harvesting & Storage

Introduction to Stevia Cultivation

Stevia belongs to the Asteraceae family, with its origins tracing back to South America. It has a naturally strong sweet taste due to the presence of the sweet crystalline glycosides called steviosides. Stevia rebaudiana plant grows to a height of 65-80 cm, and this small perennial crop has sessile leaves that are oppositely arranged. Compared to sucrose, steviosides are observed to be 200 to 300 times sweeter. This is why Stevia is widely used in the form of a sweetening agent in a wide variety of products, such as jellies, jams, and sweet beverages.  

At a CAGR of 9.9%, the global stevia market size increased from Rs. 61.65 billion in 2022 to Rs. 67.40 billion in 2023. China is noted to be the leading producer and exporter of Stevia, while India has emerged as one of the major players in the global stevia market. The major stevia growing states in India are Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. The major cultivars of Stevia are Him Stevia, CIM Madhu, and CIM Mithi.

What are the Benefits of the Stevia Crop?

Stevia rebaudiana is used to obtain stevia, which is a healthy alternative to sugar. It is popularly used as a natural sweetener for sweetening drinks and food items like desserts, jams, smoothies, and many other products. Also, it has little to no calorie content and thus can be ideal for weight management and people who want to limit their sugar intake. Stevia is known for not spiking blood glucose levels, which is why it is helpful for diabetic patients. It is observed to have therapeutic properties, which are beneficial for immune, metabolic, endocrine, and cardiovascular diseases. Overall, stevia is cultivated for various health-related, culinary, and beverage uses.

Cultivation Practices of Stevia

The following are key considerations for stevia cultivation in India:

Soil & Climate

Stevia grows well in fertile sandy loam or loamy soil with rich organic matter and adequate drainage. It needs constant moisture, but fields must not be waterlogged. Optimum growth is observed in soil with a pH ranging between 6 and 7.

Semi-humid temperature is ideal for the stevia crop. The temperature range of -6°C to 46°C is suitable for growing this crop. Also, it demands a rainfall of 1500-1800 mm and good light intensity. Vegetative growth can reduce considerably with less than 12 hours of daylight and below 20°C temperature. Stevioside levels and vegetative growth can be increased by enhancing light intensity and daylight for 16 hours.

Propagation & Planting

Nursery can be raised in January and March. A width of 1-1.5 m is recommended for beds. After sowing, the nursery beds need slight irrigation for the first 5 days during morning and evening hours. After this, irrigation is required once on a daily basis. When the 2-month-old seedlings reach the 5-7 leaves stage and attain a height of 10-15 cm, they become ready to be transplanted.

Nursery can also be raised from cuttings. Stem cuttings with a height of 10-15 cm and 4-6 nodes are suitable for growing plants via vegetative means. Raise these cuttings in high humidity and partial shade for fast root development. Generally, it takes 10-15 days for root formation, and it needs water sprinkling on a daily basis.

Transplantation

Seedlings are transplanted on raised beds that are 50-60 cm wide and 12-15 cm long. Also, it is recommended to maintain a row-to-row distance of 40-45 cm, and the plant-to-plant distance should be 30 cm. 

Irrigation

A drip irrigation or sprinkler system can be used to water the plants. Large quantities of water is not needed by stevia plants; thus, moderate amounts of water can be offered at regular intervals. After transplantation, the first irrigation needs to be provided immediately. After this, irrigation should be provided at 3-5 days interval until the establishment of the plants.  

Manure & Fertilizer

For better leaf yield and quality, nutrient management is an essential part of stevia cultivation. Chemical fertilizers and organic manures are required to preserve soil fertility. Apply 100-120 kg of nitrogen, 40-50 kg of phosphorus, and 50-60 kg of potassium per hectare as a fertilizer dose. Organic farming of stevia requires the application of well-rotted farmyard manure (FYM) at 20-30 tonnes per hectare. Also, the dosage of fertilizers and manures is dependent on cultivation methods and soil fertility. During land preparation, FYM @ 200 qtl/acre, cow dung, and vermicompost should be well incorporated into the soil.

Intercultural Operations

Weeds are a major concern in stevia farming as they adversely impact plant growth and plant yield. Thus, weed management is a crucial practice for successful cultivation. During the first 2 months, regular weeding is required at an interval of 20 days. This is highly helpful in reducing competition between crops and weeds. To regulate the weed germination and growth, mulching with plastic sheets or plant residues is recommended. It also helps in enhancing the growth of stevia plants.

Disease Management    

Stevia is at risk of damage because of a variety of diseases, and thus, proper measures should be followed to prevent or manage them. Grey spots on leaves and chlorosis are caused by the fungus Septoria steviae. Its control methods include controlled water supply and spraying borax (6%) on the plants.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum results in stems and leaves becoming necrotic. If the stalk is infected, brown spots are observed on the stem. It can be controlled through fumigation. Sclerotium rolfsii is a soil-borne fungus that causes southern blight. It can be managed with the help of solarization of the soil.

Harvesting & Storage

After 4 months of plantation, the first harvest of the stevia crop is completed. Then, harvesting can be done once every 3 months. Based on the growing season and region, harvesting time can vary. Manual harvesting can be done at 10-15 cm height from the ground. Being a perennial crop, a single plantation provides the produce for 4 to 5 years. The harvesting of green stevia should be done during early morning as it has the highest sugar content during that time. The sweetness is intensified by cool temperatures and shorter days. Up to three harvests can be obtained from one plantation cycle.

Leaves should be dried and stored appropriately so that farmers can get good market prices. Fresh leaf harvest can be dried in a hot air oven at 40°C or in shade. If the harvested plant is not dried up immediately, the leaf quality can deteriorate. Tie stems in small bundles to dry the leaves. Hang these small bundles upside down in a well-ventilated, cool, and dark room. After the leaves have dried fully, remove them from the stems and use airtight containers to store them. Before use, grinding of leaves is done to turn them into powder form. Due to a low concentration (1-2%) of steviol-glycosides in stems, they are excluded to lower processing costs.

Stevia farming is lucrative for Indian farmers due to its high demand and long-term yield. Rising interest among health-conscious consumers is the reason behind the increase in demand across the world. Due to its increased income potential, farmers can significantly boost their income. Follow the cultivation practices mentioned in this article to enjoy a successful harvest and higher profits from the produce.