Kiambu County government is introducing the stevia crop amongst its farmers due to its medicinal significance.
The crop also has a high market in several countries for its concentration of natural sugars.
Speaking on Monday to farming groups that would plant the crop, Agriculture CeC Monicah Waiganjo advised farmers to embrace the crop as it has proved to be a big source of income for those already producing it.
Waiganjo also reassured the farmers that the crop had been approved by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and all that was left was for the farmers to start educating themselves about stevia farming so they could start earning from it.
“We have clearance from Nema and we are working with learning institutions to keep up the pace of improving the crop to compete with other nations in the market. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is collaborating in making this possible,” Waiganjo said
The minister also stated that the strengths of the stevia crop was exemplary when compared to others that the farmers usually planted.
“Stevia grows well and produces high yields, even when faced with low rainfall and high temperatures,” Waiganjo added.
The farmers were warned against purchasing cuttings of the stevia crop before confirming that their purchase was original or healthy, as there were often illegal suppliers seeking to dupe farmers with a bad crop.