Stevia Nutra Corporation Appoints Chief Agronomist for Stevia Propagation Initiative

Published on Monday, 11 June 2012 06:33 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia-( Business Wire )-

Stevia Nutra Corporation (OTC:BB STNT)– (The Company), an Agro-Management company focussed on stevia agronomics, is pleased to announce that esteemed researcher, Dr. Ahmed A. El Sheikh, from Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture has been named Chief Agronomist.

Dr. El Sheikh is recognised as an innovator in developing stevia cultivation as well as breeding techniques and protocols. He has been successful in producing new stevia genotypes higher in both Reb A content and leaf yield. Dr. El Sheikh was successful in initiating the first stevia seed nursery in the open field and was also a leading member of the first commercial stevia field in Egypt (150 acres).

“Dr. El Sheikh’s significant knowledge and experience in breeding, propagating, cultivating and harvesting stevia is invaluable for our global expansion,” said Company President, Brian Dicks. “He is a pioneer in the field of stevia production and we are excited to have him join our team.”

Dr. El Sheikh has a PhD degree in Agricultural Sciences from Ain-Shams University, Egypt in stevia propagation methods (2005) and went on to study advanced plant breeding at Michigan State University in 2009.

“It is truly a very exciting time for the stevia sector. I am confident that Stevia Nutra is well positioned to participate in the exploding demand for stevia across the world,” said Dr. El Sheikh . “I think the Cambodian growing conditions will allow for the Company to increase yields of stevia per acre and with multiple harvests attainable each year. This should, in turn, have a positive impact on the Company’s operations. I am looking forward to working with the other members of the Company’s management team to build the world’s best stevia company.”

About Us

Stevia Nutra:

Stevia Nutra is an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics which includes plant breeding, proprietary agricultural practices and post-harvest techniques. Stevia Nutra intends to invest heavily in R&D and IP acquisition and manage large-scale plantations for the production of high value stevia products.

Stevia Nutra is dedicated to utilizing best agronomic and business practices to demonstrate the sustainability and profitability of stevia production. By subscribing to, and implementing the performance standards published by the World Bank, Stevia Nutra is committed to becoming the premier producer of the highest quality stevia. Stevia Nutra recognizes the potential this remarkable plant has to reduce the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes and promote general good health. The Company's priority will be to embrace sustainability for smarter innovation and profitable growth.

Stevia and the stevia sector

Stevia is the world’s only all natural zero calorie sweetener. Since being approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration late in 2008, stevia can now be found in over 6,000 food, beverage and medicine products, with many more new products to follow as globally consumers are making healthier food choices.

Stevia is the fastest growing sweetener product in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that stevia will replace up to 20% of the global sweetener market valued at over $10 Billion USD. Zenith International expects that stevia agriculture production will have to triple within two years to keep up with the strong demand. Only one year after FDA approval in the U.S., stevia sales surged past both aspartame and saccharin in the tabletop sugar market.

Safe Harbor Statement

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the Company to become the world’s largest producer of the highest quality stevia, the ability of the Company’s Cambodian operations to generate positive Stevia crops, the ability of the Company to expend resources on R&D and IP acquisitions, and the Company’s Cambodian stevia cultivation to have a positive impact on the Company’s operations. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the timing and completion of contemplated financings, the actual use of proceeds, receipt of regulatory approvals and the ability to secure sufficient land for cultivation. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied several material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that: (1) the proposed corporate development and expansion plans will proceed as planned; (2) market fundamentals will result in sustained commodities pricing and (3) any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to be different than those described in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those relating to: lack of operating history, transitioning from a development company to an operating company, market acceptance of our products and services; operational difficulties relating to international operations; our ability to form and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and strategic partners; changes in economic, political or regulatory conditions or other trends affecting the food sector, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Further information about these matters can be found in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Further information on the Company can be found at www.sec.gov and the company’s website at www.stevianutra.com.

Stevia Nutra CorporationBrad Long, 1-888-960-STNT (7868)Investor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.