1. Presentation on
Production of Stevia in
Bangladesh at Cluster level
Presented to
NJLIP
World Bank

2. Welcome
Presentation
for Concept and Options of Production,
Processing and Marketing of Stevia in
Bangladesh at Village level by NGO’s to Cluster
level to scale to Industry level.

3. 1. Ms. Mahina Arefin She is a Social Entrepreneur having exposure more that 10 years in various
field and various countries. She has a niche and soft heart on innovation for
livelihood of poor women. She is the first who could identify the potential and
commercialization of of Stevia and Stevia from Bangladesh.
2. Mr. Sheikh Razif
Ahmed
He is an international trader having experience of 25 years mainly in Chinese
market .He has commendable adoptability due to his exposure in country like
China. a strong clutch on Stevia’s growing market in China and Eastern Asia is his
focused specialization
3. Mr. Sunil K. Sonee He is an International Entrepreneur of core level having experience in aromatic
essential oil and many other product in various countries for more than 30 years.
He has practical experience and net work in Horticulture and Stevia crystal
production ,Stevia leaves production , Stevia oil and crystal export and processing
units.
4. Ms. Sanjida Kaium Is a social Entrepreneur and Development worker of National level having
experience in the field of program development , management, communication
and capacity building for more than 15 years

4. Why NJLIP?
• The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve the livelihoods of
extreme poor communities and to strengthen the community institutions
and Stevia processing has all the potentialities to play a successful part in
this program by:
• Empowering women through capacity development on Stevia processing:
 Stevia is a global food item having demand all over the world. Through
developing the skill of the community women on Stevia leaf processing
the women will get a standard income that will empower them financially.
According to researches financial empowerment is the key factor in taking
part in making decisions
• Ensuring day to day income all through the year:
 Stevia leaf has got demand allover the world throughout the year, it can
be imported, processed and exported all through the year. As a result the
women will be able to work all around the world and earn money

5. Why NJLIP?
• Ensuring sustainable development in aspect of livelihood:
 Once the women are trained on Stevia leaf processing they can
work all through their life by themselves as it has a global demand
around the year
• Developing women entrepreneur :
 Through Stevia processing each of the processor may become the
owner of processing machine that results a home based factories.
Ultimately the women are becoming entrepreneur
 Through Individual development Stevia leaf processing will
successfully develop a group that may really take active part in
decision making for developing a healthy and wealthy village that
will lead to a healthy and wealthy nation.

6. Flow chart of Steps for NJLIP

7. 1st option
Colour code:
Step – 1 :
Step – 2:
Step – 3:
Step – 4:
Colour code:
Step – 1 :
Step – 2:
Step – 3:
Step – 4:

8. 2nd option to be triggered on failure of
1st option
Colour code:
Step – 1 :
Step – 2:
Step – 3:
Step – 4:

9. Why leader?
• If a leader get involved in NJLIP Stevia project:
• The leader will become more popular amongst
his/her followers
• The poverty of his/her area will be eradicated
• The livelihood of his/her people will be
developed
• Children of his/her area will live a healthy life
• He/she will become a role model for others
• He/she will be able to create a sustainable
positive impact to his/her followers mind

10. Why Government?
NJLIP with Stevia project is most applicable project
for the government as:
• It provides a time bound result
• It is so well - planned to bring successful result
• It brings equal profit by means of time , money
and national development
• It ensures financial solvency
• it has business popularity in developed countries

11. Why Social Entrepreneur?
The NJLIP Stevia project strongly refers the role of social entrepreneur because this project:
• The social entrepreneur will be successful in creating societal leadership this is
• Creating a sense of shared commitment and co-ownership by embedding the social objective within the hearts of
relevant social actors.
• social entrepreneurs are able to foster active citizen involvement and positively impact the rate and reach of their
social vision.
• He/she will be able to take part in Business management: translating vision into action as a leader who is able to
constantly realign strategic choices made at the commercial level with the organization’s social vision, while
effectively utilizing its social capital to this end. The total budget for.
• He/she will be able to develop Personal leadership: self-awareness and self-development through driving
forward the social objective, advocate the cause, with a people’s approach to doing business whilst
simultaneously achieving and preserving financial sustainability.
• A major part of NJLIP covers advocacy: a social entrepreneur can bring a complete success through advocating for
the right livelihood for the right cluster
• He/she will be able to develop a group of entrepreneurs to have a sustainable positive impact to the financial
development of the society

12. Why media?
• Now a days media plays a vital role in every
development activities. In NJLIP Stevia project media
may have:
• a great opportunity for news coverage
• Scope to develop success stories of a developed
Bangladesh
• Increase the popularity of their channels/publications
• A great chance to prove themselves as the friend of
common people
• An opportunity to become social leaders

13. Why Celebrities?
• In the NJLIP Stevia project celebrities will find
every option to be :
• More popular to the common people
• A hero/heroine of real life
• An example of real leaders
• An entrepreneur and a leader

14. Why Advocates?
Through the Stevia project in NJLIP an advocate
may:
• Have opportunity to have a strong reputation
on common people
• Will create a positive image
• Will have a great chance to advocate for the
poor people
• Will develop a strong working network

15. Why NGOs?
• NJLIP Stevia project fulfills all the aspects for
NGOs to consider this as a successful on because:
• It is self sustainable
• Funds revolves automatically
• Ensures 100% implementation of funds
• Organization gets benefitted
• It is Well- planned to manage
• Provides global network

16. WHY BANGLADESH?
• Stevia is exported to Developed Nations, where Bangladesh
already exports Garment. Addition of Stevia will result as a
Brand Value due to exposure in two main components as
food additive and clothing.
• The raw material of Stevia is procured from farmers.
• The processing of Stevia involves lot of Manpower which is
easy and economical in Bangladesh.
• Electricity and Power required in the Processing can be
obtained through Solar Energy which will lead to
development of Bangladesh as a whole, and moreover
make the whole Project as a Green Project
• In many countries World-wide it is worth billion dollar and
very similar to garment industry.

17. OUR ROLE
• Empowering Women and Youths
• Skill Development Training Centre
• Technical know-how
• Marketing
• Buying
• Selling
• Market Acquisition
• Optimization of Funds
• Land acquisition and plantation on Global level

18. 1. Our Objective is to utilize Stevia production in Bangladesh, which remained
unutilized up to recently.
2. Our objective is to bring Stevia Project in existence so as to :
a) Provide employment to un-skilled, semi-skilled and skilled labor force in
Bangladesh
c) Earn foreign exchange for the country.
3. Develop exchange trade or barter trade to boost the supply chain
substantially with right vision.
OUR OBJECTIVES

19. SCALABLE AND SELF-SUSTAINANENCE
With extensive commercialization scope that the
product offers, the benefit is not restricted to
Rural Farmers.
Many Small & Medium Enterprises can be
developed which may buy the raw material from
Farmers process it and make it saleable.
Self Help Groups can setup their own Plants with
appropriate fundings from NJLIP, thus providing
employment opportunity along with rotation of
funds of the NJLIP.
Export Oriented Units will be born too.

20. STRENGTHENING OF VILLAGES
The direct export benefit is foreign exchange
flow in the Villages.
The economic and financial aspect of the
Village improves with every export activity
conducted.
It brings in recognition to the Village of
Bangladesh and strengthens its position.

21. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT
Bangladesh can enter into beneficial Cross-
Border Trade with other Countries.
The process of Loading, Unloading,
Aggregation of Stevia in Containers will not
only provide employment but also help in
expansion of Custom Ports of the Countries.
 Stevia can be planted as small shrubs
alongside cashew trees, mango trees, etc.

22. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Being Labour-Intensive Process of Stevia, it
provides Employment Opportunity to the Rural
Poor who can do these processes by forming
groups.
It provides employment opportunities to the
unemployed Rural Youth.
Empowers women as they can also get
employment opportunities in the processes of
Plucking etc.
Ultimately, improving Livelihood of the poor. This
job does not need any school qualification.

23. Possible Means of Finance and
Funding
1. Equity funding by Angel and other investor.
2. Scheme funding from World Bank such as :
A) Nuton Jibon Livelihood Improvement
Project
3) Funds can be sought from NGO and Social
development foundations too.
4) Crowd Funding
5)Buy back based funding from market .

24. INVESTOR ROLE
• Investor can join as
– Joint Venture Company with his Own or Proxy
Ownership
– He can sign a MOU as Investing Partner
– He can be an Investor on Fixed Return
– He can Invest with pre-planned Exit Plan.
– He can Invest with Pre-Planned Inclusion Plan

25. SOURCE OF RETURN
• Interest and Structure Financing
• Trading Profit at Procurement Level
• Profit on High Seas and International Sale
• Profit from Migration and Skill Development
• Profit from Processing
• Profit from Local Sale and Export
• Profit from Branding
• Profit from Rural Real Estate Development

26. OPTIMUM INVESTMENT
It is estimated that about BD taka Twenty million
will be required which will include
Land,
Building,
Offices
Plant and machinery
Recurring expenses
Working capital
Stock of raw and finished product

27. LAND PREPARATION
Land should be plowed initially with a disc plow
or harrowed to break down the clods. Fine
tilth is required. Plowing has to be done one
or two times after harrowing. Often raised
beds are formed at this time. The width of the
bed will depend upon the type and size of
equipment available. Some operations may
have a bed with a single row of plants while
others may use a bed with 3 staggered rows.

28. SOIL TYPE
• Stevia requires very good drainage. Any soils
that retain moisture for very long periods of
time are unsuitable for Stevia cultivation and
should be religiously avoided. Similarly black
soils with very heavy clay content should also
be avoided. It is mandatory that before
planting, each and every soil sample should be
properly tested and analyzed by an expert. A
sandy loam soil with a 6-7 pH is best for the
cultivation of Stevia.

29. Raised Bed Preparation
• Forming raised beds is the most economical
way to grow Stevia. The raised bed should be
of 4 to 6 inches in height and 12 inches in
width, with 12 inches between plants. The
raised beds are often covered with black
plastic and the Stevia is planted through it.
This would give a plant population of around
30,000 per acre.

30. Planting
• Stevia can be planted in many ways. The types
of agronomic practices generally depend on
type of soil and climate conditions. Generally
it is advisable to plant a minimum of 30,000
plants per acre. There are basically two types
of planting material recommended: tissue
culture and stem cuttings. Tissue culture is the
best option, stem cuttings tending to be more
expensive in very large operations.

31. Plant Varieties
• There have been many selections of Stevia
rebaudiana developed all around the world.
Basically all these selections have been
developed for different climatic requirements.
At the end of the day it is the stevioside and
rebaudioside content in the Stevia leaves that
determine the price and marketability of
Stevia leaves. Hence it becomes imperative
that the grower selects proper varieties from
the planting material suppliers.

32. Irrigation
• Stevia requires ample supply of good water all year
around. As the plant cannot tolerate drought, frequent
irrigation is required. Micro drippers are the best
means of providing plants with the required amount of
water at the right time, allowing the water to be
sprinkled once a day in winter and two to four times in
a day in summer depending upon the heat and relative
humidity in the air. Watering frequency should be
scheduled so that the plants do no wilt for want of
water yet are never waterlogged. Irrigation pipe with
drippers is best installed under the black plastic mulch.

33. Plant Protection
• Organic gardeners in particular should find Stevia
an ideal addition to their crops. Though nontoxic,
Stevia plants have been found to have insect-
repelling tendencies. Their very sweetness, in
fact, may be a kind of natural defense mechanism
against aphids and other bugs that find it not to
their taste. Perhaps that is why crop devouring
grasshoppers have been reported to bypass
Stevia under cultivation. In case any disease
symptoms are noticed, spraying of agricultural oil
diluted in water is the best organic method.

34. Fertilisation and Weeding
• The recommended dose of fertilizer is
10:10:10 NPK.
• Removal of weeds can be done manually,
since the crop is grown in raised beds. If black
plastic mulch is used weeding will be minimal.

35. Maintenance
• Stevia plants do best in a rich, loamy soil, the same kind in which common
garden-variety plants thrive. Since the feeder roots tend to be quite near
the surface, it is good idea to add compost for extra nutrients if the soil in
your area is sandy. Besides being sensitive to cold during their
development stage, the roots can be also be adversely affected by
excessive levels of moisture. So take care not to over-water them and to
make sure the soil in which they are planted drains easily and isn’t soggy
or subject to flooding. Frequent light watering is recommended during the
summer months. Adding a layer of compost or black plastic mulch around
each Stevia plant will help keep the shallow feeder roots from drying out.
Stevia plants respond well to fertilizers with lower nitrogen content than
the phosphoric acid or potash content. Most organic fertilizers would work
well since they release nitrogen slowly. Since Stevia has a significant apical
dominance, the plant tends to grow tall and lanky. Pinching of the terminal
bud can enhance bushy growth of the plant with side branches.

36. Harvesting
• Depending on climate conditions one can achieve yields of 6 to 8 tons per acre in
harvests annually. Another important aspect of harvesting is timing. The best
quality Stevia leaf is the one that is harvested in the fall just before the blossoms
open. It should be noted that Stevia leaves should not be harvested after flowering
since the stevioside percentage goes down rapidly and leaves are rendered
unmarketable. It is normal for the plants to flower in the fall during the short days.
Leaves are harvested by plucking in small quantity or the entire plant with the side
branches is cut leaving four to six inches from the base. The first harvesting can be
done four to five months after planting. Subsequent harvesting can be done every
three months, for three consecutive years. The sweetener in the leaf is at
maximum levels just before the plant flowers. Just before flowering, the plant
should be cut completely leaving 4 inches from the ground. The new flush of
leaves will sprout from there, with the new plant ready for harvest again in three
months. The plant yields around six tons of dried leaves per acre every year.
Harvesting should be done as late as possible, since cool autumn temperatures
and shorter days tend to intensify the sweetness of the plants as they evolve into a
reproductive state.

37. USES
• Fresh Stevia leaves
• This form of Stevia is the herb in its most natural, unrefined state. A leaf picked from a Stevia plant
and chewed will impart a sweet taste, a dried leaf will taste much sweeter. For Stevia to have a
more practical application as a tea or sweetener, the leaves must be dried or put through an
extraction process, which makes the sweet taste even more potent.
• Dried leaves
• For more of the flavor and sweet constituents of the Stevia leaf to be released, drying and crushing
is necessary. A dried leaf is considerably sweetener than a fresh one, and is the form of Stevia used
in brewing herbal tea or in cooking.
• Stevia Extracts
• The form in which Stevia is primarily used as a sweetener in Japan is that of a white powdered
extract. In this form it is approximately 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar (by weight). This white
powder is an extract of the sweet glycosides (natural sweetening agents) in the Stevia leaf. Not all
Stevia extract powders are the same. The taste, sweetness and cost of the various white Stevia
powders will likely depend on their degree of refinement and the quality of the Stevia plant used.
Since extracted Stevia powder is so intensely sweet, it is always recommend that it be used by the
pinch or drop if diluted in water. Once mixed, this solution should be stored in the refrigerator.
• Liquid concentrates
• These come in several forms. There is a black syrup liquid that is the result of boiling the leaves in
water. This was used as a face mask or for skin healing. Steeping Stevia leaves in distilled water or a
mix of water and grain alcohol makes another type of liquid sweetener.

38. Extraction
The extraction of steviol glycosides from Stevia
leaves and its purification involves several
steps. The major steps are (1) Primary
extraction with water or solvent, (2)
Purification of the liquid extract, (3)
Separation of solid glycosides from purified
liquid extract, (4) Solvent recovery and (5)
Further purification of the solid glycosides.

39. PRIMARY EXTRACTION
In the extraction process the first step involves
extraction of dried leaves with a liquid extractant.
The most common extractants are water, primary
and secondary alcohols. Sometimes, uncommon
solvents like dioxane is also used. Dried leaves are
often pre-treated with organic non-polar solvents
like chloroform, ethylene chloride or hexane to
remove fats and waxes from the leaves. Then,
glycosides are extracted from the defatted leaves.

40. Separation of Solid Steviol Glycosides
• The primary extract is then clarified either by
flocculation or electro-coagulation. For
purification by flocculation, the extract is
treated with flocculants like Calcium
hydroxide, Aluminum hydroxide, Alum,
Calcium carbonate, Ferric chloride etc. This
flocculants precipitates the gummy and
resinous polysaccharides, proteins and plant
pigments.

41. ION EXCHANGE PURIFICATION
• The clarified liquid extract is then passed through a column
filled with weekly polar macro-porous synthetic resin
granules. The resin absorbs steviol glycosides from the
extract and the glycosides are stored within the resin. The
spent extract, devoid of steviol glycosides comes out from
the resin columns.
•
• Then the adsorbed steviol glycoside is washed out from the
resin column with alcohol – generally ethanol. Pure alcohol
is fed to the column and alcohol with steviol glycoside
dissolved into it comes out. Along with steviol glycoside,
the alcohol is also carries plant pigments, and salts as
impurities.

42. Solvent Extraction
• In this method, the clarified water extract is mixed with a water
immiscible organic solvent and agitated vigorously. The solvent has higher
affinity towards steviol glycosides than water and it absorbs the glycosides
from the water extract.
•
• After the mixing, the solvent-water extract mixture is allowed to stand for
some time. On standing the solvent and water layer separates. The water
layer, which is now devoid of any steviol glycosides, is sent to effluent
treatment plant. The solvent layer is then treated with activated carbon to
decolorize it and filtered to separate suspended activated carbon
particles.
•
• Then the decolorized solvent is concentrated by evaporation under
vacuum and solvent is recovered for recycling. Steviol glycosides start
crystallizing out from the solvent after it gets concentrated to a certain
level.

43. Purification of Rebaudioside A
• The next and final step of steviol glycoside purification process is
the seperation and purification of Reb A.
•
• The solid glycoside mix (TSG) is dissolved in a specific hot water
alcohol mixture under refluxing condition and then cooled to
crystallize Reb A crystalls. The dissolution and crustallization is done
in the same jacketted vessel provided with a motorized stirrer.
During the dissolution process the mixture is heated by passing
steam through the jacket of the vessel. Then, for crystallization, the
solution is cooled by passing cold water through the jacket.
•
• The crystallized Reb A can be seperated from the mother liquor by
basket centrifuge and dried in vacuum tray dryers.

44. FIXED COST
S.No. ITEM AMOUNT in Rs.
1. Land Preparation 5400
2. Irrigation 25000
3. Planting Material 225000
4. Planting 3200
TOTAL 258600

45. WORKING EXPENSES
S.No. ITEM AMOUNT in Rs.
1. Manures 15000
2. Labor charges 14000
3. Chemical Fertilizer 4000
4. Insecticide/Pesticide 4000
5. Fuel Charges 15200
6. Watchman 24000
7. Yearly Installment 135000
8. Depreciation 5000
9. Others 11500
10. Land Revenue 15000
TOTAL 242700