Stevia is a natural sweetener crop with growing global demand. It is being cultivated experimentally in Zimbabwe for export to health food and beverage industries.
120
Days to Maturity
2–5 tonnes/ha (dry leaf)
Typical Yield
Moderate
Water Need
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Optimal Soil Types
pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loamy soils. High organic matter content significantly increases leaf yield. Very sensitive to waterlogging.
Fertilizer: Vermicompost 5t/ha at planting. Liquid NPK monthly. Avoid excess nitrogen which reduces stevioside content. Potassium improves leaf sweetness.
Optimal Temp: 20–30°C
Rainfall: 500–1500mm/year
Climate Zones
Consistent drip irrigation at 25–30mm per week. Critical at establishment and during leaf production. Avoid waterlogging.
14°C
clear sky
Manicaland
47%
Humidity
9
km/h Wind
14–14°C
Min / Max Today
5-Day Forecast
Fri
14°
14°
Sat
25°
8°
Sun
29°
10°
Mon
30°
13°
Tue
30°
12°
Stevia optimal climate: Temp: 20–30°C°C · Rainfall: 500–1500mm/yr
Planting Months
Harvesting Months
Planting Depth: Transplanted seedlings or cuttings
Spacing: 50cm × 30cm
Material: Rooted cuttings or tissue culture plantlets
Provinces
Natural Regions
Symptoms: Leaf curl, sticky honeydew, virus transmission
Management: Dimethoate spray; natural enemies; neem oil
Symptoms: Root damage, wilting in young plants
Management: Reduce soil moisture; yellow sticky traps; Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis drench
Symptoms: Silvery leaf scarring, reduced leaf quality
Management: Spinosad spray; blue sticky traps
Symptoms: White fluffy mould on stems, plant collapse
Management: Iprodione spray; improve air circulation; avoid waterlogging
Symptoms: Circular grey-brown spots, premature defoliation
Management: Mancozeb spray; remove infected leaves
Symptoms: Brown rotted roots, plant wilting
Management: Excellent drainage; Ridomil drench; Trichoderma biocontrol
Governed Product Guidance
Crop-specific product selection, application rates, mixing, timing and treatment guidance for Stevia are available only through ZEF's governed production-agronomy workflow after country readiness and product/regulatory approval.
Dried leaf export for natural sweetener industry, steviol glycoside extraction, beverage and food industry, diabetic food market
Export Potential:
Cultivation Guide
Step-by-step guide tailored to Stevia in Zimbabwe
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