Stevia project in the pipeline
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 25 2018:
New Delhi-based Stevia Biotech Pvt Ltd has initiated due process to take up a stevia project in the State.
Speaking to media persons at Hotel Imphal today, Stevia Biotech Pvt Ltd managing director Saurabh Agarwal said that stevia is a natural sweetener which originated from Paraguay.
Steviol glycoside which is extracted from stevia is 300 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) but does not have any calorie.
As such, it is used as an anti-microbial cardiotonic which is quite harmless to diabetic and other patients, Saurabh said.
Now steviol glycoside is used in preparing food items which taste sweet.
In Japan, all sweet food items are made out of steviol glycoside, he said.
Around 10 crore people in India suffer from diabetes.
If the tonnes of sucrose consumed in the country everyday are replaced by steviol glycoside, the problem of diabetes can be mitigated considerably, Saurabh said.
The country's food safety related authority allowed use of stevia extracts only in 2015.Now Coca Cola, Pepsico and Nestle have started using stevia extracts in the country.
Soon after, a stevia factory was set up in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh and the factory has been producing stevia products in the form of sachets, drops and tablets.
Hill areas of Manipur would be quite suitable for stevia cultivation.
Under the proposed project, farmers of Manipur would cultivate stevia and factory unit would be set up in the State.
Stevia leaves would be purchased from farmers and they would be processed at the factory unit for consumption within the State.
Stevia Biotech Pvt Ltd would provide technical and logistic support to local farmers and entrepreneurs.
The project also envisages establishment of a stevia nursing centre in the State, sad the managing director.
Former MP Kim Gangte who also present at the press meet said that due process would be initiated to cultivate stevia in Senapati, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Churachandpur districts.
Stevia cultivation can reduce people's dependence on terraced cultivation and poppy cultivation for livelihood.
It would also help in conserving forests, she added.