Joab Barasa (left) an agronomist and Peter Mtawa, a stevia farmer from Msengoni village Taveta town tending to Stevia plant on November 21, 2025.
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.
The Seeds of Gold team visited Peter Mtawa’s farm to learn more about the good agricultural practices involved in cultivating this valuable crop, which is currently gaining popularity in the country.
Mtawa is a retired engineer and one of the first farmers to grow the plant in Msengoni village. Taveta, Taita Taveta County.
Initially, he cultivated traditional crops such as maize, bananas and beans, but this was not a rewarding venture. He then began seeking ways to launch a new crop, a gamble that later developed into a rewarding endeavour.
After conducting market research, he started cultivating stevia in 2025 on a one-acre plot of land with 800 kilos of the plant.
Using his savings, he installed a drip irrigation system, which is highly recommended for stevia cultivation due to the plant’s shallow root system and sensitivity to water stress and waterlogging.
Moist soil
He adds that the plant requires consistently moist soil to optimise leaf development and natural sugar production.
“Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, minimising excess water on the leaves that could otherwise lead to fungal diseases, while also ensuring efficient water use,” he adds.
He explains that, with proper management strategies, the crop is unaffected by pests and diseases, and is also unpalatable to rodents and livestock.
Additionally, stevia requires sufficient direct sunlight to thrive, ideally receiving at least six to eight hours daily.
This extended sunlight exposure fosters the optimal conditions required for robust growth and maximum sweetness.
However, he notes that excessive sunlight should be avoided as it can cause sunburn on the tender leaves, particularly during the initial stages of development.
Soil testing
Stevia grows well in various environments and can be harvested three to four times a year.
“Harvesting is quite easy. The leaves can be plucked with scissors or garden shears, or individual leaves can be pinched off in the morning when the plant’s sugar content is at its highest. Ideally, this should be done just before the plant begins to flower,” he says.
Mtawa advises farmers in Taita Taveta County to conduct soil testing before investing in stevia.
This is a critical step before establishing a new crop, as it ensures the land is suitable for optimal growth and yield.
According to Mtawa, the plant is ideal for the elderly because it does not cause blood sugar levels to spike, making it suitable for individuals seeking to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Additionally, it promotes dental health.
Joab Barasa, an agronomist and stevia farmer from Taveta town, says the crop was introduced in Taveta in February 2024 to provide small-scale farmers with an alternative source of income.
He adds that the crop is also cultivated in Sagana, Mwea, and Kimilili.
Barasa adds that the region’s key traditional crops include green gram, sorghum, millet, cowpeas, pigeon peas and sweet potatoes.
The plant thrives in Taita Taveta due to the warm daytime and night-time conditions.
Initially, stevia did not thrive in Naivasha, Nakuru County, because of the fluctuating temperatures experienced between day and night.
Barasa says that at least five farmers in Taita Taveta are currently involved in the venture.
He advises that any farmer wishing to participate in stevia farming must have sufficient water and conduct soil testing, as the crop thrives best in red loam soils.
The crop does not require basin irrigation. Furrow, drip and sprinkler irrigation methods are preferred instead to ensure high standards of hygiene for the harvested leaves.
In the nursery bed, the crop takes 45 days to be ready for transplanting. Once transferred to the farm, it takes between 80 and 95 days to be ready for harvesting, with a kilogram fetching a minimum of Sh150.
The crop can also be dried and stored to extend its shelf life.
The crop does not require heavy reliance on pesticides, as one kilogram of foliage spray can control pests over one acre, making the venture cost-effective.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
