Stevia Plant Farming Information Guide

Stevia Plant Farming Guide:

Today, we are learning the Stevia plant farming, cultivation practices.

Stevia Plant Farming
Stevia Plant Farming

Introduction of the Stevia Plant:

Stevia is a shrub-like perennial plant which is used as a sugar substitute and in the treatment of some health conditions for years. This is also called as “sweet leaf, sugar leaf, and honey leaf “. The leaf of the Stevia plant is a source of zero calorie sweetener and the sweetness of this plant more than sugar. The cultivation of Stevia plant is also introduced in India and this is picking up in a great way. This plant has a property of lowering blood sugar levels, hence this is considered to be a great plant for diabetic patients.

Health Benefits of Stevia Plant:

Some of the health benefits of Stevia are as follows.

  • Stevia may lower blood sugar levels.
  • Stevia may control high blood pressure.
  • Stevia may beat acne & dandruff.
  • Stevia may help in protecting teeth & gums.
  • Stevia may help in reducing indigestion & heartburn
  • Stevia may help in reducing wrinkles & fine lines.
  • Stevia may help in weight loss.
  • Stevia may help in healing wounds faster.

    Health Benefits of Stevia
    Health Benefits of Stevia

High Yielding Improved Varieties of Stevia Plant in India:

In India, there are 2 most popular verities of Stevia plant developed for low care and high yielding. These varieties are best suitable for Indian climatic conditions and soils. MDS -14 and MDS-13 are the improved cultivars of Stevia plant developed for high temperature and drought/low rainy regions.

Climate Required for Stevia Plant Growth:

Stevia plant crop requires about 150 cm rainfall annually and prefers an average temperature of 30°C  to 32 °C for its best growth. High temperatures above 45°C and nightly temperatures below 5°C will damage the crop.

Soil Requirement for Stevia Plant Farming:

Stevia plant grows best in well-drained, rich, red and sandy loam soils. This plant prefers acidic to neutral soils with fine tilth. Soil pH range should be about 6.0 to 7.5 for its best growth and yield. In the case of poor soils, applying good organic matter and micronutrients would fetch a good yield of Stevia.

Land Preparation, Spacing in Stevia Plant Farming:

To break down the clods and make weed-free soil, the land should be harrowed and then ploughed. 2 to 3 ploughings with a tractor or local/country plough would make the soil fine tilth. Make sure the land is not susceptible to flooding and pudding. The raised beds should have 12 to 15 cm in height & 50 to 60 cm in width. Row-to-Row distance should be 40 to 45 cm and Plant-to-Plant distance should be about 30 cm. This calculation gives Stevia plant density as 20,000 to 25,000 plants per 1 acre.

Read: Stevia Cultivation Training In India.

Propagation in Stevia Plant Farming:

In Stevia plant farming, propagation is done by stem cuttings. The length of the stem cutting should be about 15 cm and should get it from leaf axils of the current year’s growth to have better yielding results. The best season for Stevia propagation is from Feb to Mar. The cuttings will be ready for transplanting after 4 weeks of rooting.

Planting Season for Stevia:

Feb-to-March of the year.

Plant Population in Stevia Plant Farming:

Plant density in Stevia cultivation is about 20,000 –  25,000 plants per acre.

Manures and Fertilizers in Stevia Plant Farming:

Stevia crop responds well to fertilizers and manures with lower nitrogen content. It is a good idea to have organic manures due to slow release of nitrogen. Adding Farmyard manure (FMY), Vermicompost, cow dung/urine will be beneficial for better crop yield. The fertilizer dose of NPK of 28:113:113 kg/hectare is recommended for high yield of Stevia crop.

Irrigation in Stevia Plant Farming:

Irrigation can be carried out by traditional methods or drip/micro sprinklers. However, using a drip irrigation system or micro sprinkler system is best for irrigating Stevia crop. Frequent light irrigation should be carried out in hot summer months. In the winter or rainy season, this crop may not need frequent watering. Avoid excessive moisture level in the soil is not favorable for its growth.

Weed Control/Intercultural Operations of Stevia:

Usually, there are hardly or no pests and diseases found in Stevia crop. If any pest or disease noticed, spraying neem oil by diluting water is the best organic method. Removal of weeds should be done manually. Intercultural operations in Stevia crop are easy for labor since the crop is grown on raised beds. Avoid the flowering of the plant. However, regular weeding @ 8 weeks interval should be carried out.

Pests and Diseases in Stevia:

There are no pests and diseases found in Stevia crop, If anything noticed, spraying neem oil with diluted water would work just fine.

Read: Project Report on Stevia Cultivation In India.

Harvesting of Stevia:

Usually, Stevia plants become ready for first harvesting when they attain 40 to 60 cm in height (or) 4 to 5 months after planting. Thereafter, harvesting can be carried out every 3 months for 3 years. The Stevia plants should be cut just before flowering starts as the sweetener in its leaf would be maximum at this time and also can get good quantity at this point in time. Harvesting can be done by plucking in small quantities or the whole plant leaving 15 cm from the base.

The yield of Stevia Plant Leaves:

An average yield of  2500 to 2700 kgs of dried Stevia leaves per acre can be obtained with crop management practices and good variety.

Post Harvesting in Stevia Plant Farming:

As part of post harvesting, Stevia plant branches should be dried in shade for 2 days. Dried Stevia leaves should be separated, threshed into powder and stored in containers.

Bottom Line of Stevia Plant Farming:

As long as diabetic patients exist in this world, this plant crop never goes down. Excellent returns can be expected out of Stevia cultivation.

Read: Information on Goat Farming Profits in India.

48 COMMENTS

  1. Hi,
    The article about stevia plant farming explains form planting to harvesting. I don’t understand what else you want. As we are very busy at this point, it will be tougher for us to support personally.

  2. Hi All,

    Thanks in advance.

    I need A-Z information regarding stevia plantation and its farming.

    Hope you are help me in this.

  3. Hi Sir,

    I am Brix, importation of seeds to be used as planting materials probably more reasonable, may I know the cost of seeds per grams/lbs and where to address our PO ,,

    Best regards,

    Brix

  4. Hi,
    can you please let me know whether we can directly sow the seeds into the ground or need to first sow it in containers and then after 1 month growth need to transplant into the ground?

    Thanks,

  5. Please give the detail information of agencies where i can sell the Stevia leaves. Thanks so much for this information.

    • Well, we will try to update soon. However, you can try contacting herbal companies or any medicinal companies. For exact point of contacts, you should wait for some time as we are updating with Stevia Farming Project Report, Cost and Profit details along with marketing points.

  6. Hi Sir,
    I want to attend workshop on stevia cultivation/processing/marketing. From where can i know about the seminar/conference/workshop on the above?

  7. Sir, I Am Interested In Stevia Farming, Sir, Please Detail Knowledge For Stevia Framing What Is Yearly Production Of Leaves And Yearly Profit And Expances.

  8. Sir,
    I want to know seeding and harvesting of Stevia plant and want to know about the farming of Stevia plant and crop selling information.

  9. Hi, I am from Tamilnadu, Trichy I want to know seeding and harvesting of stevia plant and want to know about farming of stevia plant and crop selling information.

    Thanks and regards
    M Subramanian

  10. I have 15 acres of land currently cultivating paddy. Can I grow stevia in this land. Is there any firm’s who can help us in giving the seeds or saplings in odisha.

  11. Hi Sir,
    am very much interested to stevia forming.
    Where should I get the stevia plants in Karnataka online or offline.
    could you give me buyers details to sell stevia leaves.

  12. Dear Sir,
    Good Day

    I am interested in such projects. Please advise in which states can I purchase farm land and start such projects. I am a resident of New Delhi, thus do not domicile of any of the states in India.

  13. Hello Sir,

    I am looking for the training if any on plantation and farming of Steiva. Kindly suggest if there is any institute or organization provide the same. Thanks.

  14. would u please mention who developed stevia varieties MDS13 and MDS14 , released it for cultivation in which state and when?

  15. Good day,

    I would like to have details of the Mass production facilities in the Sate of Tamil Nadu.

    Also, is Stevia – will be beneficial for the Ethanol production in Huge quantities?

    Regards. Moorthy

  16. Dear sir
    Good afternoon
    I am using stevia leaves(dried) since long. As per the guide lines, I have suitable soil and climate to grow them. I request you to kindly lead me to a stevia grower or farm in Kerala. I am from Kottayam Dist. Also Pathanamthitta Dist nearby. Kindly reply.
    With warm regards
    John.p.

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