Diabetes and obesity are new age epidemics, with the number of people suffering from diabetes increasing from 180 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, according to the World Health Organization. It is also predicted that the increased consumption of added sugar calories leading to diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030.
Coincidentally, India holds the distinction of having the highest number of diabetics globally. In the current landscape, there is a notable shift among Indians towards embracing a healthier lifestyle, driven by heightened awareness of health and fitness, particularly in the post-Covid period. As the quest for the ideal sugar alternative gains momentum, the utilization of Stevia has witnessed a sudden upsurge in recent years.
With the aim of advocating for healthier sugar alternatives and establishing an indigenous stevia company, Arboreal, a Lucknow-based startup has introduced a locally sourced solution catering to over 150 Food and Beverage (F&B) companies.
Founded by Swati Pandey and Manish Chauhan, Arboreal envisions accelerating the world’s transition to the ‘Post Sugar World.’
Swati gained firsthand exposure to the severe limitations of life with diabetes when her mother fell ill with it 20 years ago. Fueled by a personal commitment to finding a solution for type 2 diabetes and convinced of the market potential for Stevia as a viable 100% natural, zero-calorie sweetener that could enhance farmer incomes in some of the most underserved regions of India, Swati decided to establish Arboreal.
“I was driven by a sense of conviction that our generation must build upon the sacrifices of our parents, by taking up risks and building global ventures that will solve some of the biggest challenges facing India and the world,” said Swati.
Arboreal has undertaken groundbreaking initiatives in setting up an integrated supply chain for Stevia in India. The company collaborates with smallholder farmers in rural India, guiding them in cultivating the appropriate variety of Stevia. Subsequently, Arboreal employs its proprietary technology to process the harvested Stevia, producing zero-calorie sweetening solutions.
Over the last few years, Arboreal has acquired proprietary expertise in blending its exclusive Stevia extracts with other plant fibers. This distinctive combination not only mimics the sweetness of sugar but also replicates its texture and mouthfeel.
PM Modi’s Acknowledgment of Arboreal’s Efforts:
Significantly, the startup received appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his popular radio program “Mann Ki Baat” on Sunday (December 31).
Stevia is rapidly gaining recognition as a healthy, natural, and zero-calorie sweetener derived from a plant source. It requires significantly less water and land to deliver an equivalent level of sweetness compared to sugar. Therefore, it has the potential to offer healthier solutions for individuals affected by diabetes and obesity.
The existing stevia production process is decentralized, involving cultivation in one country and refining in another. This not only imposes a burden on the environment but also contributes to the elevated cost of stevia.
Swati’s company is vertically integrated to ensure the consistent production of high-quality, environmentally friendly, and affordably priced Stevia products. The cultivation involves a high-yielding variety of Stevia within a scalable, traceable, and sustainable supply chain. The processing utilizes a patentable extraction method, incorporating a bio-refining approach to maintain product quality.
The cultivation of stevia in India is poised to not only conserve the nation’s land and water resources but also enhance the livelihoods of farmers. It is anticipated that farmers’ incomes will double within five years as they transition from sugarcane to stevia farming.
“Arboreal, at its core is driven by the philosophy of creating shared value and measurable triple bottom-line impact – across social, economic and environmental dimensions. I truly believe that Stevia is the right preventive solution to stem the epidemic spread of diabetes and obesity and the opportunity to lead this transition to a lower sugar and healthier world is what drives me every day,” said Swati.
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