Steps has been taken to grow Stevia ,the “sweetest plant of the world” and used as a substitute for sugar , near Kataragama temple premises.

The Malaysian company BNG Global Holding is to make an investment worth $ 1 million in this process.

A land of 110 acres belonging to Kataragama temple premises is being thus utilized to grow the particular plant.

Meanwhile, speaking to media the CEO of BNG Global Holding Dr. S Sabrina has stated that the land was given to the company by the Uwa Province Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa.

She has also revealed that using only 50 acres in the first stage 2 million plants will be cultivated. The company has recruited 30 workers and trained them to cultivate the plant, she added.

The plant which is originally from Brazil and Paraguay is currently cultivated in US, Central America , Israel , China and Thailand and in India the BNG Global Holding owns a land of 400 acres containing a Stevia plantation.

Coca Cola company has introduced beverages containing Stevia which is successful substitute leading to less diabetes threats and this quality of the plant has increased its popularity.

Source: http://archive.srilankamirror.com/news/12140-stevia-plantation-in-kataragama-temple-premises