Transplanting. of the plants.

Depending on different climatic conditions, Stevia is cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia plug plants are planted into the field on 75 cm  bed with row spacing of 45 cm at 45 cm height with a total plant density in the order of 30,000 plants per Acre.ust be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in a greenhouse for a period of 7 to 8 weeks. 

Transplant of the saplings

Transplants from cuttings would be superior; however, cost makes it prohibitive. Stevia must be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in a greenhouse for a period of 7 to 8 weeks. 

STEVIA CULTIVATION : PROPAGATION

Stevia plants can be propagated from cuttings or seeds or by tissue culture. As the seed germination is very poor and seedlings are very slow to establish, it is generally propagated clonally through cuttings. For vegetative propagation, stem cuttings of 15 cm length taken from leaf axils of the current year’s growth have been given better results. 

Treatment with Paclobutrazol @ 100ppm has been found to induce the root initiation in short time and IBA@500 ppm is also found to be effective. The best months for propagation are February-March. The cuttings will be ready for transplanting after 25-30 days of rooting

Land Preparation for Stevia cultivation

The land sites are plowed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface. Stevia cultivation is done on the bed.  Bed sowing has shown very good result. It is easy to maintain the farm with Bed plantation. Weed can be easily uprooted, It si also help full in plant protection. Lower leaves doesn't not damage due to bed sowing.

Climate for Stevia cultivation.

Stevia is a semi-humid, subtropical plant and can grow in the temperature ranges between 04-48o C. An annual average temperature of 31o C with a rainfall of 140 cm per year has been found optimum for its good growth. It shows good seed germination when subjected to light and warm conditions. Hence, a long growing season, minimal frost, high light intensities and warm temperature favors higher leaf production. Stevia is a short day plant, but the concentration of stevioside in the leaves increases when the plants are grown under long day conditions. The day temperatures should not exceed 48 oC and the night temperatures should not fall below 04 o C.

Soil for Stevia cultivation

Stevia grows well in sandy loam soils with an ample supply of water. stevia prefers acidic to neutral soil with a PH range of 6.5-7.5 for its best growth. Saline soils should be avoided as stevia plant is susceptible to water logged conditions.

Generally stevia is grown on beds. As per condition of soil. Framer can prepare two- three feet wide bad for stevia plantation. Rise bad method is good for stevia cultivation, It will be also good for harvesting.  

STEVIA CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION

Stevia is a five year plantation crop. The crop is newly introduced in India. It gives regular earning. The first cutting of the green leaves is done after four month of the plantation and later on there will be regular cutting after every 3-4 Months as per climatic condition. The crop is only source of natural sweetener. The stevia is the first choice of the sugar free industry. The sweetener of stevia is widely used in the world. The crop is planted for five years. After the fifth year the marginal return start to decline so it is best to uproot crop and replant it. Stevia cultivation in India is having bright future.

What is stevia ?

Generally people ask , what is stevia ? Stevia is a medical plant. It is a plantation crop. It has successfully grown in India.  Stevia sweetener is 300 times sweeter than sugar. stevi is used to extract natural sweetener. Stevia is a natural sugar substitutes. Stevia is only natural sugar free sweetener alternate to sugar.

Green stevia leaf is dried, and it is grinded in green powder form. Stevia plant can easily survive in Indian climatic condition. There are many artificial sweeteners available in market. Artificial sweeteners not good for health.

Stevia is good for diabetes patient. Sativoside is good sweeteners for diabetics. Sugar is restricted for diabetes patients, they can easily use stevia. In green powder stevia in the raw form. There are number of stevia benefits. It is a healthy sugar substitute.

Many companies are selling stevia online. Stevia powder is available in tables, liquid and dry green leaves form.  Now question arises is stevia safe? yes stevia is safe, and many countries have approved it as natural sweetener.

Stevia is a best sugar alternative sugar alternative. Some extra health-conscious people go for organic stevia powder so that they can ensure that they are using pesticide free material. Stevia is a best sugar substitute in comparison to other artificial chemical sweetener.

Many products are available in market as artificial sugar. They are not sugar, they are chemicals. After sugar stevia is a best sweetener.  In Europe people have successfully done experiment of baking with stevia

Stevia farming consultancy in India

Due to increasing demand of natural sweetener as a replacement of Sugar, Stevia farming is increasing in India. Stevia is one of the most profitable crops for  coming future. As the crop is only source of natural sugar free / calorie free sweetener. People are being less hard worker that why they need calorie free substitute of sugar. Artificial sweeteners are problematic for  long term consumption. In the countries like Japan and Korea stevia sweetener contribute 50% market share. Stevia crop is propagated by seedlings. 

We can provide you stevia seedling (plants) .You will require 30,000 seedlings per acre. We provide complete consultancy from cultivation technology, planting material supply, nutrient management (manure), water management (drip irrigation installation), and the most important one the Buy back. We can also provide buyback facility before starting the farming to the growers so that they can be ensuring at marketing side.

In the consultancy we will assist you in

• Understanding the basics of Stevia crop
• Farm visit
• Soil and water sampling of your farm
• Land Development
• Manure and other farm input supply
• Irrigation system installation
• Planting material supply
• Pest management
• Drying of the leaves, Buyback facility
• Export market development
• Processing of the leaves.

We are leading Agro Technology and Agribusiness consultancy provider. We strongly believe in business ethics. We have highly professional team of subject matter specialist of agriculture and allied disciplines. We believe in truly consultancy with independent and profitable solutions. For us agriculture is the base of development, height of development, strength of development, depth of development. For a long term sustainable social & economical development agriculture must be the axel. Agriculture development must environment friendly, sustainable, efficient use of available resources and non hazardous.

We provide Agro technology and Agribusiness consultancy through better utilization of your resources, value of your money, independent consultancy, cost effective, profitable solutions and complete satisfaction without any deviation. Please contact us for further query. 

7Up becomes first fizzy drink in India to use the stevia sweetener

 NEW DELHI: PepsiCo's stevia revolution will start with 7Up in India. If it works, the plant based sweetener could be used in the company's products across the range.

Following the government's suggestion that it reduce sugar in beverages, PepsiCo's 7Up has become the first fizzy drink in the country to do that by adding stevia, said to be the world's most sought-after natural sweetener. The new product, which is being tested in Gujarat, will contain 30% less sugar.

This will also be the first use of stevia to sweeten 7Up anywhere, said Vipul Prakash, PepsiCo's vice-president for beverages. "If we want to make a meaningful change to our portfolio, we will have to do it two-fold — one is to introduce new choices, and second make the existing portfolio healthier," Prakash told ET. "This is our first and very important move forward in making our existing core range healthier." Globally, sugar has become the target of campaigners who say it's among the additives used by the food industry most responsible for increasing levels of obesity in children and adults.

In countries like India, where levels of diabetes are on the rise, the use of sugar is being singled out as a factor that can cause the disease besides making it worse. The use of stevia in fizzy drinks is a first for India. Locally made diet sodas — all colas — use aspartame, a synthetic sweetener, which some activists look askance at. It's a tiny market though — the contribution of diet drinks, including Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi and Coke Zero to overall carbonates remains under 3% in India. Coca-Cola doesn't use stevia in any of its Indian products as of now. Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had suggested to Indra Nooyi that the company reduce sugar content in its soft drinks when they met during the PepsiCo CEO's visit to India in August 2014.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had cleared the use of stevia in carbonated drinks last November after a government-controlled scientific panel for food additives first recommended its use four years ago.

Amid growing public concern about sugar content in packaged beverages and foods, Nooyi had told investors in April that Pepsi-Co was "future-proofing its product portfolio, reshaping it to capitalise on consumers' increasing interest in health and wellness". Nooyi had said the company would reduce its reliance on colas through innovation across its beverage portfolio.

PORTFOLIO TRANSFORMATION

"Approval of stevia was a big enabler for us," Prakash said. "Portfolio transformation will be a multi-faceted journey. It could imply reducing sugar, adding juice to carbonates, or portion control. We are going big on transparency. If we need to go for portfolio transformation, it will have to be on core products as well." With sales of over Rs 1,000 crore, 7Up is among PepsiCo's fastest-growing brands. The lime-lemon segment has almost caught up with colas in terms of overall size as well, according to industry estimates. The company will roll out multimedia advertising for the new 7Up next week.

The move kicks off portfolio transformation in core products and PepsiCo said the objective would be to extend the changes across colas, flavours and juices over time.

"While consumers look for healthier alternatives, they don't want to compromise on taste," Prakash said. "Maintaining the taste, and in fact enhancing it, was critical and trade feedback has been very encouraging. This wasn't a hurried decision; we have taken our time. Replacing sugar is not easy."

The stevia-based drink will replace the existing 7Up formula after it's rolled out nationally. "We hope to take the learnings from the consumer and trade feedback and, over time, extend it to other parts of the country," Prakash said.

http://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/grocery/7up-becomes-first-fizzy-drink-in-india-to-use-the-stevia-sweetener/53853043