Stevia farming is slowly gaining popularity among farmers in Kenya owing to the surging demand both locally and internationally as consumers shift to other alternatives to sugar.

The herb used as a natural sweetener contains zero calories, making it ideal for people who are looking to reduce their sugar intake.

Locally, Stevia is majorly grown in various counties, including Kericho, Nakuru, Uasin-Gishu, Narok, Meru, Bungoma, and Laikipia.

Charles Langat, who grows the crop in Kericho, says the potential for stevia to help with some of the farmers’ income gaps is unmatched by any other crop.

“My first seeds I got from PureCircle, the company that introduced this complementary crop to us tea growers. Now I am able to pull my own seeds,” Charles explains.

He notes that the herb only requires a small amount of fertiliser and water and the leaves are ready to harvest after just three months. Stevia is a perennial plant from which you will keep harvesting for more than 7 years.

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Experts say for Stevia to produce optimally, regular maintenance such as weeding, pruning, and harvesting is required.

The cost of production depends on various parameters, including the size of the farm, the prevailing wage rates in the area, the method of harvesting, and the equipment used.

It is estimated that the cost of producing Stevia per acre can range between Sh100,000 and Sh250,000, depending on various factors.

Moreover, depending on various factors, the expected profits per acre of stevia farming in Kenya can range between Sh150,000 and Sh500,000.

Kim Martins, a Stevia farmer in Kericho says he makes an average of Sh58,000 per month. He harvests five tonnes of stevia every year from which he earns Sh105 a kilo.

Farmers can purchase planting materials from various suppliers, including PureCircle, a company that promotes commercial stevia farming, agriculture firm Rich Farm Kenya, Kalro, and other herb suppliers.

The farmgate price for the fresh leaves is currently at around Ksh100 per kilo. While the market for stevia is currently low locally, there are companies that contract farmers to produce stevia for export.

Some of the companies are PureCircle and Stevia Group East Africa.