Dr. Ri Tong Jo of Pyongyang Agricultural College of Kim Il Sung University told KCNA that a good species of stevia has already been bred and methods of its cultivation and sugar extraction developed.

Its cultivation acreage has been expanded in the country.

Foodstuff factories have built stevia farms and refineries.

Stevioside is high in economic effectiveness and stronger in sugar flavor than soft sugar.

It causes no change in color and taste when it is used in making foodstuffs.

It is also used for medicines and cosmetics.

Wastes from stevia-processed goods are good feed for domestic animals and fish.