Extremadura advances in improving stevia cultivation with the innovative GO STEVIBREED project.

The STEVIBREED Regional Operational Group has successfully completed the innovative project "Comprehensive improvement of Stevia rebaudiana cultivation for its valorization in the region" , an initiative that has provided a significant boost to research, diversification and modernization of the agricultural sector in Extremadura .

Last September, the final conference of the project was held at the CTAEX facilities, where the results obtained after several years of collaborative work between research organizations, companies, and stakeholders in the agri-food sector were presented.

The main objective of the project was to obtain Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni varieties adapted to current commercial demands through the development of a plant breeding program. In addition, work has been done on mechanizing the crop to optimize production processes, reduce costs, and increase the competitiveness of this plant with significant economic and environmental potential.

During the day, the main conclusions and progress achieved were presented, highlighting the collaboration between CTAEX , the companies Biostevera , Dehesa San Salvador and NIARSA , and the Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Group of the University of Extremadura , which has led the lines of scientific research on genetic improvement and physiology of Stevia.

The STEVIBREED project has opened up new opportunities for Stevia as an alternative crop in Extremadura , improving its profitability, sustainability, and added value, and strengthening the regional agricultural diversification strategy.

This innovative project has been funded 85% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) within the Extremadura Rural Development Program 2014-2022 , under measure 16 "Cooperation" submeasure 16.1 "Aid for the creation and operation of operational groups of the AEI in the field of agricultural productivity and sustainability." The remaining funding has been provided by the Regional Government of Extremadura (11.28%) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (3.72%). The total amount of aid granted amounts to 254,089.20 euros .