Stevia Nutra reaps first harvest in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – In July last year, Stevia Nutra Corporation,announced the final phase of its stevia project, which is propagating the plant in Cambodia. Now the Agro-Management company, reports the successful completion of the initial growing season at its Stevia Propagation Centre (SPC) in Cambodia.

The first harvest of high quality stevia leaves has commenced and samples have been prepared for third-party, independent testing to determine levels of Reb ‘A’ and Glycosides (total steviol glycosides – TSG). This measure of ‘sweetness’ content is a key determinant to the commercial viability of a stevia crop.

“The ideal growing conditions here in Cambodia combined with our choice of seed variety and rigorous agronomy protocols have proven to be very effective,” said chief agronomist, Dr Ahmed El Sheikh.  “The stevia plants are thriving with better than expected growth and we are optimistic that initial leaf testing will yield positive results.”

Samples of the leaves have already been sent for evaluation to the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, the highest authority for stevia testing in China. “China’s expertise in stevia cultivation and refining is well established. This will be the first testing of our stevia leaf and we are eager for test results from this respected institution," adds Dr El Sheikh.

“I am extremely encouraged with the results of our initial growing season,” says  Stevia Nutra’s president, Brian Dicks. “The combined efforts of Dr. El Sheikh, his team and our local partner, Ecologica Co. Ltd., have resulted in our establishing a thriving stevia propagation operation. Matching climate, soils, nutrients and cultivation practices with a robust and productive seed variety is a challenging exercise and our team has delivered.” Dicks further noted, “Our location in Kampong Speu Province, located forty-five minutes from Phnom Penh, has proven to be an excellent site for our agronomy operations and validates our selection of Cambodia as Stevia Nutra’s home in SE Asia.”

Dr. Hilary Rodrigues,CEO also extended his congratulations to the Cambodia teamNike React Element 87