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| Stevia Cultivation at Rani (Near Guwahati) |
Package
of practices
INTRODUCTION ABOUT MITHA
PAT
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| MITHA PAT |
MITHA PAT is an incredibly sweet herb, obtained by a natural
selective breeding process of the sweetest MITHA PAT parent plants. The
sweetener the sweetener, extracted from the plants, is 300 times sweeter than
sugar. The fresh leaves have a nice liquorice taste. What makes the MITHA PAT
plant so special is that it can be used to replace sugar (sucrose). Many
different uses of MITHA PAT are already well-known: as table sugar, in soft
drinks, pastry, pickles, tobacco products, candy, jam, yogurt, chewing gum,
sorbets... The dried leaves of MITHA PAT are about 40 times sweeter than sugar.
The documented properties of MITHA PAT
are antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral,
anti-yeast, cardio tonic, diuretic, hypoglycemic and hence a boon to diabetic
people, hypotensive, tonic, and vasodilator. Indeed, the leaves contain
diterpene glucosides with a sweet taste but which are not metabolized and
contain no calories. The biggest part of the sweet glucosides consists of
the the sweetener molecule. MITHA PAT 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 MITHA PAT mainly stems from Paraguay and Brazil.
Originally, MITHA PAT only grew in the northern regions of South America but
its cultivation has become popular worldwide. The plant has been known for
centuries by the native Guaranay-Indians for the sweet taste of its leaves.
They use it, amongst other things, to make "mate" herbal tea. MITHA
PAT is often referred to as the "sweetest plant of the world”. 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 MITHA PAT can become 1 meter high. MITHA PAT 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.
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| Mitha Pat at house hold garden |
The MITHA PAT is commonly
known as sweet leaf, sugar leaf, or simply MITHA PAT. This is widely grown for
its sweet leaves. MITHA PAT and Sunflower belong to asteraceae family.
The sweet herb MITHA PAT is becoming a major source of natural sweetener as an
alternate of sugar. It is rapidly replacing the chemical sweetener like
Splenda, Saccharine and Aspartame.
Today MITHA PAT is ready to become King in the market
of sweetener. As demand of low carbohydrate sweetener is rising day by day. A
good market is being developed for MITHA PAT domestically as well as
internationally. This is a ray of hope
for the diabetic patient. As it is natural source of sweetener. It is also
used for the treatment of obesity and high blood sugar patient. There is not
increase in sugar level after consumption of MITHA PAT as sweetener as
substitute of normal sugar. MITHA PAT, therefor, opens up new avenues for crop
diversification and a viable alternative to sugarcane. MITHA PAT
crop has good potential in India. There is low risk in this crop. The
investment in MITHA PAT is also tax free as it is agriculture production. The
return also starts to come early. As it is planted for five years so the cost
of plantation also accrue one time in five in 5 years. There is high potential
of return as compared to traditional crop.
There is a potential to use MITHA PAT in soft drinks,
confectionery and bakery etc. Instead of sweeteners with known adverse side
effects in the long run. MITHA PAT prevents tooth decay with its microbial
property . Majority of the supplementary food products for diabetic patients
emphasize on the fibre & protein content the addition of the MITHA PAT
leaves, dried or in powder form, in such products would not only aid in
increasing the natural sweetness but would also help in rejuvenating the
pancreatic gland. Apart from this, MITHA PAT is nutrient rich, containing
substantial amount of Protein, Magnesium, Miocene, riboflavin, Zinc, Chromium,
Selenium, Calcium & Phosphorus, Besides MITHA PAT can also be used as a
house hold sweetener in preparation of most Indian sweetmeats.
There are different views about MITHA PAT in different
countries. Countries like Japan and Korea; it is widely used as sweetener. Today
the number of countries is increasing where MITHA PAT is available.
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
ADVANTAGES OF MITHA PAT ARE
AS FOLLOWING
1.
It is a completely natural non-synthetic product; The sweetener
contains absolutely no calories
2.
The leaves can be used in their natural state
3.
Thanks to its enormous sweetening power, only small quantities need
to be used.
4.
The plant is non-toxic
5.
The leaves as well as the pure the sweetener extract can be cooked
6.
No aftertaste or bitterness
7.
Stable when heated up to 200 degrees
8.
Non-fermentative
9.
Flavour enhancing
10.
Clinically tested and frequently used by humans without negative
effect
11.
Ideal and non-addictive sweetener for children
USES
· MITHA PAT
is safe for diabetics, as it does, not affect blood sugar levels.
· MITHA PAT
does not have the neurological or renal side effects of some of the artificial
sweeteners.
· MITHA PAT
possess anti-fungal and anti-bacterial property also in addition to its other
versatile uses. It can be safely used in herbal medicines, tonics for diabetic
patients and also in the daily usage products like mouthwashes, and tooth
pastes.
·
Mild MITHA PAT leaf tea offers excellent relief for an upset stomach. 
OTHER USES OF MITHA PAT
The plant's leaves, the aqueous extract of the leaves, and
purified the sweeteners are used as sweeteners. In health conscious Japan they
are widely used in food products, soft drinks (including Coca Cola), and for
table use. Japan currently consumes more MITHA PAT than any other country;
there, MITHA PAT accounts for 40% of the sweetener market, other countries
around the world have also been using MITHA PAT as a sugar substitute, MITHA
PAT may be used in cooking and baking as a natural sweetener, adults and
children alike may enjoy dessert recipes without risk of weight gain, tooth
decay or hyperactivity, it also does not contain the negative side effects
reported with the use of artificial sweeteners. When used in natural
toothpowder recipes cavities and gum disease are reduced due to its
antibacterial properties.
CUTIVATION AND PROPAGATION
SOIL
It grows well in sandy loam soils with an ample supply of water.
It prefers acidic to neutral soil with a PH range of 6.5-7.5 for its best
growth. Saline soils should be avoided as this plant is susceptible to water
logged conditions.
CLIMATE
It is a semi-humid, subtropical plant and can grow in the
temperature ranges between 04-48o C. An annual average temperature of 31o C
with a rainfall of 140 cm per year has been found optimum for its good growth.
It shows good seed germination when subjected to light and warm conditions.
Hence, a long growing season, minimal frost, high light intensities and warm
temperature favors higher leaf production. MITHA PAT is a short day plant, but
the concentration of the sweetener in the leaves increases when the plants are
grown under long day conditions. The day temperatures should not exceed 48 oC
and the night temperatures should not fall below 04 o C.
LAND PREPARATION
The land sites are plowed and or cultivated twice to prepare a
fairly smooth, firm-planting surface.
CULTIVATION PROPAGATION
MITHA PAT plants can be propagated from cuttings or seeds or by
tissue culture. As the seed germination is very poor and seedlings are very
slow to establish, it is generally propagated clonally through cuttings. For
vegetative propagation, stem cuttings of 15 cm length taken from leaf axils of
the current year’s growth have been given better results. Treatment with
Paclobutrazol @ 100ppm has been found to induce the root initiation in short
time and IBA@500 ppm is also found to be effective. The best months for
propagation are February-March. The cuttings will be ready for transplanting
after 25-30 days of rooting.
TRANSPLANTS
Transplants from cuttings would be superior; however, cost makes
it prohibitive. MITHA PAT must be propagated from seed in plug trays placed in
a greenhouse for a period of 7 to 8 weeks.
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| Green Dried Stevia leaves |
PLANTING
Depending on different climatic conditions, MITHA PAT is
cultivable throughout the year except for times when it is extremely hot or
cold. MITHA PAT plug plants are planted into the field on 75 cm bed with row spacing of 45 cm at 45 cm height
with a total plant density in the order of 30,000 plants per Acre.
FERTILIZATION
The plant appears to have low nutrient requirements; however a
soil test should be conducted. Good organic manure must be applied time to time
WEED CONTROL
This crop also requires hand hoeing and weeding. After every 2
months there must be weeding
PESTS
Insect pest pressures other than cutworm are minimal. Septoria disease
can cause considerable damage to the MITHA PAT crop. Animals seem to like the
sweet taste of MITHA PAT, too. Application on neem based product will manage
the disease and pests.
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 the sweetener
quality and quantity is best just prior to flowering. The plant will tolerate
very low temperatures.
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 MITHA PAT at 40°C to 50°C. An estimated 2500 kg/Acre dry
green leaves are obtained from three-four cutting of every year. It is
cultivated up to 5 years after a one time plantation.
THRESHING
Immediately following drying, a specially designed
thresher/separator is necessary to separate dry MITHA PAT leaves from its stem.
Farm
development:-
Still
the farm is in open location and it is undeveloped. First of all the farm will
be develop then after it will require the fencing. There is no availability of
the water so the water source will be required for the irrigation water.
COST OF CULTIVATION OF MITHA PAT
MITHA
PAT is newly introduced new crop with the regular earning. As the first cutting
of the crop start after three months of the sowing and there is regular cutting
after every 2-3 Months as per climatic condition. The crop is at high demand as
it is only source of natural sweetener. The crop is the first choice of the
sugar free industry. The processing plants have also been established in the
country. The crop is planted for five years. After the fifth year the marginal
return start to decline so it is best to uproot crop and replant it.
COST OF CULTIVATION OF MITHA PAT FOR ONE ACRE LAND:
Varity
of Plant
|
Tissue
cultured :- Morita I, Morita II, Morita III, General
:-SRB 512, SRB 128 SRB 123
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Sowing
time
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Whole
year (In irrigated land)
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Soil
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Good
Quality Soil PH level recommended by Expert 6-8
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Total
Plantation time
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5 years
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Irrigation
System
|
Drip Watering
(More Effective)
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Production
Product
|
Dry
Leaves
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No. of
plant
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30,000
plants
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Rs. 5/-
per plant
|
Rs.
1,50,000.00
|
Vermicompost
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2000 kg.
|
Rs. 8/-
per kg
|
Rs. 16,000.00
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Neem
Cake
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600 kg.
|
Rs. 20/-
per kg
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Rs. 12,000.00
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Trichoderma
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10 kg.
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Rs. 175/-
per kg
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Rs. 1,750.00
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Land
Development cost
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Rs. 10,000.00
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Others
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Total
Cost of Cultivation
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Rs. 1,89,750.00
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Total
production cycle (1st year)
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2500 kg.
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Rs.
100/- per kg
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Rs.
2,50,000.00
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Net
profit at 1st year
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Rs. 60,250.00
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From 2nd
year 20% increase its production.
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Market / Buy back Rates Rs. 100/- per kilograms
For More Information on Stevia Cultivation Pankaj kalita: 09854093470, 09085578408 |
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