Caption for the landscape image: Meet the pioneer farmer growing South American stevia in Taveta Saturday, January 10, 2026 Scroll down to read the article Joab Barasa (left) an agronomist and Peter Mtawa, a stevia farmer from Msengoni village Taveta town tending to Stevia plant on November 21, 2025. Photo credit: Richard Maosi | Nation Media Group By Richard Maosi Contributor Article Related The stevia plant is originally from South America and has long been used as a natural sweetener. Extract from its leaves serves as a zero-calorie substitute for table sugar and is used globally to enhance the flavour of coffee and tea. PREMIUM Double rewards from farmer growing wonder crop stevia Stevia stays in the seedbed for 30-40 days after which one can transplant to a well-tilled land whose soil is evenly drained. PREMIUM Stevia not so sweet to farmers’ pockets The quarter-acre farm in the middle of expansive tea estates in Kabianga, Kericho was once an envy of many. Recommended for you PREMIUM Muranga's Kiganda becomes Africa’s first certified coffee estate PREMIUM Auditor-General: Recovery of Sh4bn Uwezo loans unlikely PREMIUM How agroecology is transforming farming in drylands PREMIUM Makueni teacher couple invests in dryland milk production Login to join the discussion Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. In the headlines Elections News Counties Business Opinion Sports Life & Style Health Podcasts Photos Newsletters Puzzles PREMIUM How Sankaran is making maths simple for millions of learners Nirmala Sankaran built a platform to help children face math with confidence instead of fear. PREMIUM Auditor-General: Recovery of Sh4bn Uwezo loans unlikely Money had been disbursed to women and youth groups since inception of flagship programme under Vision 2030 growth plan. IEBC expands diaspora voting to 26 countries Commission chairman says mapping of more countries has been approved to boost participation by Kenyans abroad.
PREMIUM Double rewards from farmer growing wonder crop stevia Stevia stays in the seedbed for 30-40 days after which one can transplant to a well-tilled land whose soil is evenly drained.
PREMIUM Stevia not so sweet to farmers’ pockets The quarter-acre farm in the middle of expansive tea estates in Kabianga, Kericho was once an envy of many.
PREMIUM How Sankaran is making maths simple for millions of learners Nirmala Sankaran built a platform to help children face math with confidence instead of fear.
PREMIUM Auditor-General: Recovery of Sh4bn Uwezo loans unlikely Money had been disbursed to women and youth groups since inception of flagship programme under Vision 2030 growth plan.
IEBC expands diaspora voting to 26 countries Commission chairman says mapping of more countries has been approved to boost participation by Kenyans abroad.
