PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA CULTIVATION IN BANGLADESH

MS Hossen1, SS Tabriz1 and MS Mia2*
Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2020, Pages 61-69

Abstract:

Stevia, a non-caloric natural sweetener, is safe for people with diabetes and has medicinal value that might receive greater focus in the future. Bangladesh Sugar crop Research Institute (BSRI) has released a variety of stevia (BSRI Stevia-1) as well as the production technology for the farmers, considering the agro-climatic condition of the country, and its commercial cultivation has started on a limited scale. Stevia is becoming popular with diabetic patients with teabag as an alternative source of sugar. It requires high yielding and stress-tolerant varieties, better agronomic management technology such as fertilization, irrigation, intercultural operation, and improved post-harvest processing technologies to increase stevia production. In Bangladesh, there has not been a stevioside extraction plant yet. The farmers have been manually producing stevia powder as their final product, which is comparatively less attractive to consumers. An established marketing channel has not been developed yet. Extensive research work, extension activity, and suitable policy regarding stevia cultivation, processing, and marketing can open the door to a golden opportunity for profitable commercial stevia cultivation in Bangladesh.   

Keywords:

Stevia, Stevioside, Cultivation, Processing, Management


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MS Hossen1, SS Tabriz1 and MS Mia2*. 2020. PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA CULTIVATION IN BANGLADESH, Journal of the Sylhet Agricultural University 7(1): 61-69.