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Sweet thulasi cultivation in Kasaragod under KANI projects

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

In Kasaragod it is one of the schemes under KANI or Kudumbashree for Agricultural New Intervention project. Sweet thulasi (stevia) cultivation began in June and is now on an expansion mode. Its medicinal benefits have been documented, especially in treating lifestyle diseases and for controlling dandruff and hair fall. It is also a permissible ingredient in food products. In 2011 European Food Safety Authority approved the use of Steviol Glycosides as a sweetener and finally in 2015 FSSAI of India allowed the use of stevia in food items and beverages.

Stevia is ready to harvest about 40 days after transplanting. It is best just before flowers form. Stevia leaves are sweeter than the stem so usually only the leaves are used. The cost of Stevia leaves per kg is Rs 100.00 (average price of the product) and the total amount of dry leaves of Stevia produced annually for 1 acre of land is around 2700 kg. Stevia extract is now imported roughly at the price of Rs 5.5-6.5 lakh for 100 kg consignments.