The Bank Manager

Sir,

I / We here by apply for financial assistance for cultivation of STEVIA CULTIVATION _________________________________.

We hereby declare that the information given herein and the statement enclosed are to the best of our knowledge and belief, true and correct in all particulars and in the event of any of the statement being found to be untrue, the facilities granted on the basis of our assertion would be liable to be repaid forthwith interest and other costs accrued thereof to the lender.

Yours faithfully

Application for financial assistance for Stevia cultivation

Project Report – An outline

PART – I

1. Introduction(PURPOSE)

2. Promoters: Promoters and their background, about their professional qualifications, experience

3. Overview of the entire project.

4. Existing Status of the Unit: What is the existing activity, product line, area of market, etc.

5. Manpower

6. Infrastructure facilities: About the Equipment, Plant & Machinery, premises.

7. Clientele: About the clientele, present and prospective clients – Countries to which exports are planned – Market potential, market arrangements, plans for promoting exports, etc.

8. Financial/Technical

STEVIA CULTIVATION

I. PURPOSE

Stevia is an incredibly sweet herb, obtained by a natural selective breeding process of the sweetest Stevia parent plants. The sweetener, stevioside, extracted from the plants, is 300 times sweeter than sugar. The fresh leaves have nice liquorices taste.... The dried leaves of Stevia are about 40 times sweeter than sugar.

Medicinal plants (STEVIA) cultivated extensively and also in great demand in the local as well as foreign market. It is more beneficial, about four to five times, than traditional farming. Central as well as State Govt. provides all the technical support and Subsidiaries for its cultivation. __________________________________has an extensive experience in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing strategies to meet the objectives. Strong understanding of market dynamics and requirements. For meeting the cultivation needs and other short term requirements including those of subsidiary / allied activities and consumption needs,. Requirement of expert services and advice on cropping practices, technology dissemination, crop protection from pests and diseases, market trends and prices of various crops in the market. For purchase of tractors, power tillers, trailers, combine harvester, grain threHers, sprayers, dusters, ploughs, drills, mechanical weeders or any other modern agricultural machinery. Digging/ deepening of wells, construction of tanks, ponds, drilling of bore wells, soil and water conservation waterHed development bundling land reclamation, leveling of land, terracing, conversion of dry land into wet, irrigable lands, fencing, construction of farm houses and other allied activities. Later on to keep the produce in an approved go down or warehouse enabling to sell the produce for a better price of a later date

II. PROMOTERS PROFILE

Project Details:

Name of the Project: Stevia Plantation
Land available : Purchase
Land Type (Soil Type) : Sandy Soil
Medicinal Cultivation at present : None
Irrigation Facility available: Drip system and Bore well
Technical tools:

I. Tractor (HMT)

II. Trolley

III. Cultivators

IV. Disk Harrows

V. Land Leveller

Personal Details

1. Firm Name:

2. Directors Name :

3. No. of employees :

4. Company profile :

5. DOF :

6. PAN Number:

7. ROC Number :

8. Annual Income:

9. Address:

10. Ph no:

11. Farm Address :

Other Activities:

i. Herbal cultivation Promotion Trading

________________________ already taken no of trainings on Nursery Management and cultivation of these crops organized by ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati.

1. Medicinal crops

2. Horticulture crops

ii. Technical/Economical Support

Ø We always do favor of new Agricultural Technologies and try to adopt them.

Ø Also produces Vermi Compost, Organic Manure and Neem Manure to promote organic Farming b ay small unit of Vermi compost.. Benefits for promoting of Organic Farming are as Follows:

1. Safe for environment.

2. Safe for Farmer.

3. Less expensive in comparison of Pesticide application.

4. Better quality product than pesticide application.

5. No hazard for cultivated land.

6. Organic manure can be prepared by himself at his own land.

7. More beneficial for human health.

8. Long life farming practices.

Experience: Agriculture Product and Machinery

Ø _______________________ is very much interested to stabilize Agriculture processing unit. For that purpose he has taken Management Training Organized by ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati and also has studied a lot on these topics:

1. How to decide plant capacity.

2. Availability of Raw material.

3. Required Equipments and Machinery.

4. Man power required.

5. Per day production capacity.

6. Processing equipments supplier companies.

7. Marketing of Produce.

Ø Aware for Organic Farming and has applied these practices on her own farm. Promoting organic farming in co-operation of ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati at district level and aware about modified organic practices

1. Interculture operations

2. Intercropping Operation

Ø We already constructed water harvesting structure to conserve water near by his house. Also pursuing roof water harvesting.

III. OVERVIEW OF ENTIRE PROJECT

1 Crop to be cultivated: Stevia Rebaudiana

Variety to be grown: Stevia Rebaudiana
Suitable Land: land where water can flow without hurdle
Sowing time: Whole year (for Irrigated land)

Rainy season (In irrigated land)

Total Plantation time: 5 years
Production products: Baby plant and Leave

STEVIA

INTRODUCTION

The documented properties of Stevia are antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-yeast, cardio tonic, diuretic, hypoglycemic and hence a boon to diabetic people, hypertensive, tonic, and vasodilator. Indeed, the leaves contain diterpene glycosides with a sweet taste but which are not metabolized and contain no calories. The biggest part of the sweet glycosides consists of the stevioside molecule.

Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni (Bertoni) is a perennial herbaceous plant and is part of the Asteraceae

family. This family includes well-known plants such as dandelion, sunflower and chicory. The history of the culture of Stevia mainly stems from Paraguay and Brazil. Originally Stevia only grew in the northern regions of South America but its cultivation has become popular worldwide. They use it, amongst other things, to make "mate" herbal tea.

STEVIA FACTS

*****Glycosides in the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, (including up to 10% Stevioside), account for its incredible sweetness

*****Stevia is often referred to as the "sweetest plant of the world".

*****One acre of Stevia Rebaudiana cultivation would produce sweetener equivalent to 36 Acres of Sugar Cane more so the sweetness in Stevia Rebaudiana leaves is healthy and harmless

*****Stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar

*****Stevia is safe and effective to use for cooking and baking.

NEED OF STEVIA CULTIVATION

Stevia would bring a dramatic impact as a weight loss and 'weight management aid exceptionally.

Stevia possessing an anti-microbial property can be used in all the sweets, as it does not enhance the growth of any bacteria in the teeth, unlike the sugar

Stevia usage in Bakery & Beverages has large potential. Instead of sweeteners with known adverse side effects in the long run.

Stevia is a cash crop with low risk and assured tax free returns in a period as short as 6 months. Scientific cultivation and careful selection of planting material can yield very high returns for three years as compared to traditional crops

Due to the increased awareness towards use of Herbal and traditionally accepted medicinal plants, a very good market domestic& international is coming up for the medicinal plants and Herbals.

Herbal plant is Stevia "Stevia Rebaudiana" or Stevia, a native of Paraguay, which provides whopping Rs. 5 lakhs returns in a cycle of three years per acre.

Stevia side has a few advantages over artificial sweeteners in that it is stable at high temperatures(100.C)

The Stevia leaf contains

· proteins

· fibers

· carbohydrates

· iron

· phosphorus

· calcium

· potassium

· sodium

· magnesium

· zinc

· rutin & vitamins A and C

***WHY STEVIA IS BETTER THAN SUGAR

COMPARISON: STEVIA / SUGAR

Per 2 Teaspoons of Sugar	Stevia	Sugar	NutraSweet (Aspartame)	Splenda (Sucralose)	Sweet N’ Low (Saccharin)
Natural vs. Artificial	Natural	Natural	Artificial	Artificial	Artificial
Calories	0	32	0	0	0
Net Grams	0	8g	1g	1g	1g
Gylcemic Index	0	70	0	0

DESCRIPTION

Its leaves are about 5 cm long and 2 cm wide and are planted crosswise, facing each other. In the wild, the height of the plant varies from 40 to 80 cm but when cultivated, the Stevia can become 1 meter high. Stevia can be grown on relatively poor soil. The plants can be used for commercial production for 6 years, during which five times a year a harvest takes place of the part of the plant that is above the ground. The roots remain in place and so the plant regenerates again. Plants, which are 1 meter high, have a dry weight of 70 g on average. The dry weight of the leaves can vary from 15 to 35 g per plant.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Stevia contains Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and the sweet compounds in the leaf called glycosides

1. Sugarless

2. Contains no calories, no fat, no carbohydrates

3. Highly recommended for weight loss program

4. Contains natural trace elements (iron, mangan, calcium etc..)

5. Antibacterial effect if it impedes the growth of bacteria’s.

6. Anti fungus properties make it useful in treatment with yeast infections as natural sweetener it is used in healthy diets, diabetes etc.

USES

Apart from uses as sweetener this wonderful herb has other medicinal virtues such as per WHO findings.

v Regulates blood pressure

v Fights cavities

v Induces pancreas to produce more insulin

v Skin care

v Flavor enhancer

v General Tonic

LAND PREPARATION

The land sites are plowed and or cultivated twice to prepare a fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.1 to 2 ploughing has to be done after harrowing. Around 25 MT of FYM / acre has to be applied as a basal dressing during the last ploughing to incorporate the manure with the soil.

SOIL TYPE

Red Soil and sandy loam are best for the cultivation of Stevia with a 6-8 Ph

RAISED BED PREPARATIONS

Forming raised beds is the most economical way to grow Stevia. The raised bed should be of 15 cm in height and 60 cm in width. The distance between two rows should be half feet. With such spacing the plant population is around 40,000 plants per acre

PLANTING

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 either 53 cm or 61 cm row spacing with a total plant density in the order of 100,000 plants per hectare.

FERTILIZATION

The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements; however a soil test should be conducted. The recommended dose of fertilizer is 110:45:45 NPK /Neem Organic Manure. This requires 4 ½ bags of urea, 2 bags of DAP and 2 bags of Potash / 8 bags of organic Manure. The entire dose of DAP is applied as the basal dressing. The Nitrogen and Potash fertilizer can be split and applied as TEN doses in every month. Nitrogen application is a must for the production of dry mattes

IRRIGATION

Normally, the Stevia plant requires frequent, shallow irrigation. Generally, one applies irrigation if the stem tips are drooping at least one time per week. Micro sprinkler is the best method of irrigating Stevia plants. Flood or canal irrigation would not supply the required amount of water at the right time. Micro sprinklers, can be used to sprinkle the water once in a day in winter and 4 times in a day in summer or more depending upon the heat and relative humidity in the air.

MAINTENANCE

Flowering of the plant should be avoided. Since Stevia has a significant apical dominance, the plant tends to grow tall and lanky. Pinching of the apical bud would enhance busy growth of the plant with side branches

ORGANIC APPLICATION & PLANT PROTECTION

There is no such pest and disease incidence in this crop. In case, any disease symptoms are noticed, spraying of neem oil diluted in water is the best organic method. For root grubs use castor oil mixed with cow manure and spray very little near the plant. Neem oil spray 30ml is added to I liter of water and stirred well. To this emulsifier is added (I ml / I liter). It is very essential to add the emulsifier and mix properly. This should be used immediately before the oil droplets start 40 floating. Spraying should be undertaken in the morning or late in the evening. During hot conditions the frequency of spraying should be more. In winter spraying once in 10 days and in rainy season, every day spraying is recommended. Insects lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. Hence it is important to spray on the underside of the leaves as well. While using a powder sprayer reduce the quantity of spraying to half.

WEED CONTROL

This crop requires hand hoeing and weeding.

PESTS

Insect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease can cause considerable damage to the Stevia crop. Animals seem to like the sweet taste of Stevia, too.

HARVESTING

Time of harvesting depends on land variety and growing season. Generally it can be scheduled when plants are 40-60 centimeters in height. Shorter days induce flowering. Optimum yield (biomass) and stevioside quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant will tolerate every low temperature

DRYING

Drying of the woody stems plus the soft green leaf material is completed immediately after harvesting utilizing a drying wagon or a kiln. Depending on weather conditions and density of loading, it generally takes 24 to 48 hours to dry Stevia at 40°C to 50°C.

THRESHING

Immediately following drying, a specially designed threHer/separator is necessary to separate dry Stevia leaves from its stem. Stem and leaf portions tend to be equally represented at 3,000 kg/ha each.

IV. Existing Status of the Unit, Manpower and Future Planning

Present sources, those we have required for stevia cultivation are given below here:

1. Availability of Best planting Material

2. Availability of Best Irrigation sources

3. Availability of Cultivated Land

4. Availability of Best quality Organic pest control material

5. Availability of Man Power

6. Availability of Animal Power

7. Availability of Farming Tools and Equipments for Plantation, Cultivation, Irrigation and Harvesting.

8. Availability of stevia market for selling produce

9. Availability of Best consultancy service from ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati

V. Infrastructure facilities: About the Equipment, Plant & Machinery, premises.

Firm has all the facilities required for Stevia cultivation

1) Land: cultivated land

2) Labor: as per requirement

3) Organic manure for pest control: Neem manure, Vermi compost, FYM

4) Tractor: Four wheel tractor

5) Bullock drawn/ Animal drawn

6) Planting material

7) Agriculture equipments and tools:

· Plough

· Puddler

· Leveller

· Harrow

· Cultivator

· Trolley

· Other hand tools

· Other power tools

VI - Available Market for his Stevia produce:

They have consultancy and guidance of ORGANIC INNOVATION, Beltola, Guwahati in this regard and also has buy back agreement with them for produce. Number of buyers for marketing is also available for selling raw product and manufactured products. Some name of Companies is given here. .

1. Organic Innovation, Assam

14, Beltola, Bishnu Rabha Path, Guwahati-781028.

2. Pabanas Agro Products (P) Ltd.

P.O. Box No. 130, 5,

A.Y.T. Padasalai St., Sivakasi-626123

3. Shivam Herbal, C-I03, MIDC, Waluj,

Aurangabad-431 136.

4. Siri Agritech

Opp. Lane to Srinivasa Theatre, Markapur-523 316.

Prakasham Dist. Andhra Pradesh

5. .Shravula Biotech P\1. Ltd.

0-2-289/13, Shanthi Nagar, Hyderabad - 500 028.

6. Sudershan Herbal Plantations,

1-3-2, Kavadiguda. Hyderabad-500 080

7. Sudershan Herbal Plantations,

1-3-2, Kavadiguda. Hyderabad-500 080

8.Sunrise Agriland development & research Pvt.Ltd

Mahaveer Nagar –II.Maharani Farm,Jaipur (Rajsathan)

BAKERIES, CONECTIONARIES,BEVERAGES AND HOTELS

Already had a discussion with the local bakeries and confectionaries who have agreed to try out stevia as it is organic in nature and is a natural plant rather than using chemically developed medicines. Some of the known brands in Assam are as follows and targeted brands are listed below:

EXPORTS - Stevia Market

A Perfect Storm Driving Market Demand

Driven by a near perfect storm of demand, the market for all natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is increasing dramatically. A leading stevia manufacturer has predicted a global stevia products industry using Reb A could be valued at $10 billion in coming years. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously estimated that stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010.

Market drivers include:
Soaring rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Increases in the rates of these diseases are linked to high consumption of sugar and/or high-calorie sweeteners, and are soaring worldwide.

Consumer demand for low and non-calorie, natural foods with clear labelling. Consumers worldwide also remain concerned about artificial sweeteners’ safety.

Governments facing rapidly rising health care goods. Governments worldwide are developing policies and regulations to penalize unhealthy diets and support healthy ones.

Michelle’s Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative targets childhood obesity. In June 2009, top US nutrition experts, health organizations, leading doctors and medical academics joined forces to ask President Barack Obama to combat obesity by creating a Presidential Commission on “Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives” to coordinate the activities of the Departments of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other agencies involved in food and health, to create policies that promote health across the country.

Sugar prices recently hit 30-year highs. Rising demand for corn for biofuel has been pushing up the price for sugar’s traditional lower-cost alternative, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

The rapidly growing demand for stevia sweeteners is also in lockstep with a looming shortfall in sugar supply. Driven largely by increasing demand in India and China, the price of sugar price rose from about $0.10 per lb. to more than $0.60 per lb. over the last 10 years. Global sugar consumption is forecast to rise by more than 50% to nearly 260 million tons by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that stevia could eventually replace 20%-30% of the global dietary sweetener intake.

Stevia’s Popularity Spans the Globe

Food consultancy Zenith International reports that stevia products saw a 27% increase in worldwide volume sales in 2010 over 2009, taking its overall market value to US$285 million. From mid-2009 to mid-2010, new product launches using stevia extracts increased by 200%, with products launched in 35 countries – 237 new products in the first half of 2010 alone, according to market research firm Mintel’s Global New Product Database (GNPD). Mintel values the natural sweetener product market at US $763 million in 2010, with the stevia market alone at $670 million. A leading stevia manufacturer has projected that stevia will penetrate 20% to 25% of the US$60 billion global sugar/ sweetener market.

Regulatory approval in the European Union (granted in November 2011) has set the stage for stevia use to explode on the other side of the Atlantic in 2012 and beyond. Asia Pacific, where the ingredient has been used as a sweetener in some regions for decades, has the largest market share for stevia at 35.7%, followed by North America (30%) and South America (24.3%).

COST OF CULTIVATION “STEVIA” FOR ONE ACER LAND

ESTIMATE COST OF DEVELOPMENT OF STEVIA

	Year
Particulars	Ist	IInd	IIIrd	IVth	Vth
Cost of Planting material(30000@3/plant	90000
Transportation cost	2000
Land preparation	5000
FYM application	5000	5000	5000	5000	5000
Gap filling ,planting		15000	15000	15000	15000
Irrigation	3000	3000	3000	3000	3000
Fertilizer and application costs	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000
Weeding	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000
Harvesting	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000
Drying arrangements	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000
Drying and post harvest	3000	3000	3000	3000	3000
Supervisory charges	5000	5000	5000	5000	5000
Contingencies	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000
TOTAL COST	128000	46000	46000	46000	46000
INCOME
Value of Produce	2000 / kg/yr acre	2400 kg /yr /acre	2650/yr /acre	2800/yr /acre	2900/yr /acre
Total Amount(@150/Kg)	3000000	360000	397500	420000	435000
Net income	172000	314000	351500	374000	389000