Cultivation of Stevia rebaudiana

It is estimated that more than 15 million people in Bangladesh have been diagnosed as diabetic. Another significant portion of the population is suffering from diabetes, although not formally diagnosed. White cane sugar, white beet sugar, corn syrup, honey, molasses, pancake syrup and brown sugar are prohibited for diabetic patients. Dr. Stefan Ripich in his book titled 'The 30-day Diabetes Cure Featuring the Diabetes Healing Diet' has recommended 'Stevia Rebaudiana' which is a plant native to South and Central America, where it is commonly known as sweet leaf, sugar leaf or simply stevia, as a healing diet. Stevia extract is 300 times sweeter than table sugar, yet it has zero calorie. Because Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose level, it is an ideal natural sweetener to use as we begin to control our carbohydrate cravings. Stevia is also recommended for people being treated for obesity and high blood pressure. Stevia is widely used in Japan as a sugar substitute. It is possible to grow Stevia in Bangladesh and make a variety of sweet dishes with Stevia extract instead of sugar.

The Bangladesh government is encouraging cultivation of plants having medicinal value. Stevia leaf should be encouraged as an ideal sugar substitute for diabetic patients. The Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Extension can import Stevia plants from South and Central America and motivate our farmers to cultivate Stevia for diabetic patients. Priority may be given to the farmers who have started to grow herbal medicine plants in recent years. Stevia will be a big relief for diabetic patients and those who are prone to diabetes. Since a large proportion of the country's population is diabetic, authorities should seriously consider producing sugar substitutes locally.

I would like to urge BADC and DAE to introduce Stevia cultivation in rural Bangladesh.

Md. Ashraf Hossain

120, Central Bashaboo, Dhaka