Paraguay Looks to Stevia Sweetener to Boost Economy
Coca Cola and Cargill’s announcement that they intend to make a stevia based sweetener under the brand name Rebiana has ignited hope in one of the poorest regions in Latin America. Paraguay – 50 percent percent of whose population lies below the poverty line – is the land of origin of stevia rebaudiana bertoni, the 60 centimeter plant whose extracts are 300 times as sweet as sugar.
Paraguay has over the past decade increased its cultivation of stevia to 1500 hectares. Industry analysts are optimistic that Coca Cola’s interest in the herb could mean an economic boom in the country. Paraguay’s stevia industry is unfazed by the fact that stevia is allowed in very limited forms in the United States and European Union (EU). Many countries in Asia, notably Japan and China have taken to the herbal sweetener. China in fact, is presently the world’s largest producer of stevia, with around 20,000 hectares under cultivation.
Stevia lobbyists say the herb has faced stiff and unfair resistance from the sugar lobby, who they blame for stevia’s less than whole hearted acceptance by many Western countries. Studies conducted at the University of Asuncion have shown stevia is not only safe to be used by diabetics, but also has a host of other anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it something of a wonder herb with enormous potential. It also has one major advantage over another artificial sweetener, aspartame – it can be baked.
Stevia however has been dogged by fears over its potential carcinogenic properties, much like saccharine and aspartame before it. Scientists insist that more testing is necessary before it can be made freely available. Currently, the US allows stevia to be used only as a nutritional supplement, but prohibits its sale as an additive. The EU allows its use in cosmetics, or as a food supplement.
All these controversies over stevia notwithstanding, Paraguay continues to be gung ho about the sweetener’s potential for its economy. Knowing they face stiff competition from China over cultivation of the crop, authorities in the country are scrambling to gain recognition for the country as stevia’s place of origin.
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2 Responses to “Paraguay Looks to Stevia Sweetener to Boost Economy”
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I am writing this from Nepal. I heard and read about stevia. I was interested and made correspond to many countries-India, China, and the USA. Most did not responded me and I requested 1000 stevia seeds from “Prairie Oak”. I tried to plant in my garden and flower pot, but they did not grow. I simply put the compost fertilizer and watered, seeds were put into the soil individually in a distance of four to six inches. Could you give me any hints about my stevia growing? If there is any mistakes. Now the weather in my place is summer no more raining just starting.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Chandraman
dear Chandraman Jee
namaste
Sorry to hear that you could not find the answer and solution. I do not know where you want to plant the stevia. However, you can get stevia seedlings easily in nepal. If you need help, please write me , giritripathi@gmail.com