[seetharam annadana]

ALLAHABAD: Uttar Pradesh has undertaken commercial farming of 'stevia rebaudiana' which is sweeter than sugar and contains no calories - ideal for diabetes.

Stevia farming, which was started in the state three years ago by city-based Bioved Research and Communication Centre (BRCC), is now being taken up by people from other parts of U P like Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Varanasi and Sonebhadra, who visit the institute to learn more about the crop.

"Stevia plant has opened the door for replacing sugar, it does not produce energy nor does it take part in any metabolic reactions of the body," said BRCC's Director B K Dwivedi.

Dwivedi says the main component of stevia is stevioside which is non-caloric, fermentable and measured to be 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Besides, it can withstand high temperatures, up to 200 degrees celsius, and has bactericidal properties and several radicinal uses.

BRCC has been growing stevia at its research farm in Sringverpur, about 40 kms from here. At the farm, stevia is grown by means of grafted material as well as tissue culture, says Dwivedi.

In addition to its usefulness as a sugar substitute, stevia farming is being found attractive by agriculturists due to its commercial viability "We have observed that the profit margin for stevia cultivation stands at about Rs 5,25,000-6,75,000 per annum per acre.

Besides, it is a perennial crop. Leaves can be harvested within four months of planting of seeds and the process can be repeated three-four times a year," said Dwivedi.

Commercial farming of this plant is common in countries like Japan, Paraguay, Taiwan and the US. India, due to its climatic conditions, is an ideal place for stevia cultivation, said Dwivedi.

"Temperature ranging 10-37 degrees celsius has been found congenial for the development of the crop, besides, humidity ranging 65-85 per cent favours its cultivation. Indian climate fulfill both these conditions," he said.

Other parts of the country are also catching up with stevia; commercial farming of the plant has already begun in Bangalore, Pune and Indore, says Dwivedi. Dwivedi is also of the opinion that farmers should be provided with preservation facilities, which would encourage them to undertake stevia cultivation on a large scale.

"Stevia has given us an opportunity to control, in a natural way, the menace of diabetes which is growing at an alarming pace across the world.

And controlling this one disease means nipping in the bud several ailments related to eyes, kidneys, skin and heart which become inevitable with high blood sugar levels. We must grab the opportunity," he said.

Besides, Dwivedi said, the plant has been observed to have insect-repelling properties.

Its very sweetness can act as a natural defence mechanism for aphids and other bugs that do not find it to their taste.