Stevia, a natural sweetener, is creating
opportunities for more farmers in Kenya and
opening export markets in China, Malaysia,
Paraguay and Brazil.
The no-calorie, natural sweetener is now being
grown in more counties including Laikipia, Uasin
Gishu, Meru, Narok, Meru and Bungoma.
PureCircle Company that is training farmers on
commercial stevia growing in the country is
targeting Kericho, Nakuru, Bomet and Nandi
counties and has already recruited over 2,000
farmers.
The PureCircle general manager Priyanko
Chatterjee said the training programme started
five years ago. A stevia farmer, Kim Martins said
he has made a fortune from his 15 acres land in
Chesumot and is now contracted to supply
cuttings to new regions.
“What was just a pilot project has turned into a
success. I harvest five tonnes per acre every
year, of which I earn Sh105 per kilo which is way
higher than what I used to get from tea,” he
said.
In December last year, Mr Martins says he
supplied 200 kg of cuttings to Meru farmers and
364 kg to others Bungoma in partnership with
Pure Circle. “Stevia is the highest paying crop.
It, however, is not for the lazy as it requires
constant weeding,” he said.
Mr Chatterjee said the company collects an
average of 20,000 tonnes of stevia leaves
monthly, which are transported to Mombasa port
for shipping to China.
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