Sugar farmers want to grow stevia as alternative to more water-intensive crops

Local farmers are calling for permission to grow stevia as an alternative source of sugar to replace water-intensive crops such as sugarcane and beets, according to Al Masry Al Youm. A feddan of stevia can reportedly produce as much sugar as 18 feddans sugar cane. Egypt has beenclamping down on cultivation of unsustainable agricultural practices with an eye towards water conservation, soil preservation, economic viability.