PRIYANKA SAHU, Ph.D. Scholar, 
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, 
College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (C.G.)
Dr. SUBUHI NISHAD, Programme Officer 
NSS (Girls Unit) College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (C.G.)

INTRODUCTION
Nutrition is one of the most important pillars of health. A well-balanced diet not only protects us from disease but also increases energy, productivity, and overall quality of life. Today, India is facing a double challenge—on one side malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies continue to affect rural families, and on the other side lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are rising sharply. To tackle these issues, it is important to develop food products that are healthy, affordable, and suitable for everyone. In my research, I worked with guava and stevia to develop low-calorie guava leather, a product that combines nutrition, taste, and economic potential. Guava, popularly known as the “Apple of the Tropics,” is rich in vitamin C, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber. Stevia, on the other hand, is a natural sweetener with zero calories, making it ideal for diabetic and health-conscious consumers. By preparing guava leather with stevia instead of sugar, we can create a healthy product that not only improves nutrition but also generates income opportunities for rural people.

Why Guava Leather with Stevia?
Guava leather is a value-added product prepared by drying guava pulp into thin, chewy sheets. Traditionally, it is sweetened with sugar, but this reduces its suitability for diabetic patients. By using stevia, the product becomes healthier while maintaining its natural fruity taste.The benefits of guava leather with stevia are many:
  • It is nutritionally rich, containing high vitamin C and essential minerals.
  • It is suitable for all age groups, including diabetic patients.
  • It is easy to prepare with simple equipment, making it practical for households and SHGs.
  • It has a long shelf life, reducing post-harvest wastage of guava.
  • It is a low-cost enterprise option, especially for women in rural areas.

Thus, this simple innovation transforms guava into a convenient, healthy, and marketable product.

The Process of Preparation
The preparation of guava leather with stevia is straightforward and does not require heavy investment, making it ideal for household-level processing or small-scale entrepreneurship. Fully ripe guavas are selected, thoroughly washed, and cut into small pieces. These pieces are ground into pulp, and the seeds are carefully separated through sieving. A measured amount of stevia is then mixed into the pulp to impart sweetness. The mixture is heated with continuous stirring until it thickens, reaching a suitable consistency. At this stage, trays smeared lightly with ghee are used to spread the mixture evenly.

The trays are then dried, either under controlled conditions in a tray dryer or using traditional methods, until thin, pliable sheets are formed. These sheets are carefully cut into pieces of uniform size, cooled, wrapped, and stored in hygienic packaging. The result is a product that retains the natural flavor of guava, enhanced by the calorie-free sweetness of stevia, and can be stored for long periods without spoilage. Guava leather thus represents a practical, attractive, and health-oriented snack option.

Benefits for Farmers
For farmers, guava leather can help reduce the problem of post-harvest losses. Guava is a seasonal fruit, and during peak season, the market often gets oversupplied, leading to low prices or wastage. Instead of selling fruits at distress prices, farmers or farmer groups can process them into guava leather, which fetches a better value and can be sold throughout the year. Value addition not only increases farmer income but also strengthens the local economy. Small processing units in villages can create employment and reduce the dependence of farmers on middlemen. Moreover, processed fruit products have higher market demand in urban areas, giving farmers access to new buyers.

Benefits for Rural Women and SHGs
For women, especially those working in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), guava leather preparation offers a simple but powerful livelihood option. The process does not require costly machinery and can be done with basic training. Women can prepare guava leather at home or in groups, package it attractively, and sell it in local markets, schools, and fairs. This provides them with an additional source of income while also improving their families’ health. Importantly, it builds confidence, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skills among SHG members. By adopting such activities, rural women can become economically self-reliant and play a stronger role in community development.

Support from Government and Policies
The idea of guava leather with stevia also aligns with various government initiatives. Schemes such as the National Horticulture Mission, Startup India, and women self-help group promotion under NRLM encourage value addition, entrepreneurship, and nutritional awareness. The government has also been promoting “One District One Product (ODOP)” and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, where food processing and local innovations play a major role. If supported with training, subsidies, and proper market linkages, guava leather with stevia can become a successful local product. It fits perfectly into the vision of promoting nutrition, rural entrepreneurship, and farmer income enhancement.

Why Villages Will Adopt Such Practices
People in rural areas often hesitate to adopt new practices unless they clearly see benefits. In the case of guava leather with stevia, the advantages are visible:
  • It improves family nutrition by providing a healthy, sugar-free snack.
  • It provides an income opportunity with very little investment.
  • It reduces fruit wastage, which is a common problem during guava season.
  • It connects women and SHGs to local markets and government schemes.

Since it brings together both health and livelihood benefits, rural communities are more likely to adopt it compared to other innovations. The simplicity of the process makes it even more acceptable.



Broader Impact on Awareness
This innovation also plays a key role in spreading nutritional awareness. Many women I worked with did not know that guava contained so much vitamin C or that stevia could replace sugar safely. After learning about these facts, they began sharing the knowledge with others in their community. This shows how a single activity can spread awareness about healthy food choices and change food habits over time. In the long run, such awareness can contribute to reducing malnutrition, preventing lifestyle diseases, and improving overall community health. At the same time, it provides people with a sense of ownership and empowerment, as they realize that they can create solutions from the resources available around them.

Conclusion
The development of low-calorie guava leather using stevia is more than just a food processing activity. It is an innovation that connects nutrition, health, farmers’ welfare, women’s empowerment, and government policy into one solution. By making a simple but healthy product, we can reduce fruit wastage, provide a safe alternative to sugar, empower SHGs, and create new market opportunities. This initiative proves that good ideas do not need to be complicated. Sometimes the most effective solutions are those that use local resources in new ways. If adopted widely, guava leather with stevia can become a model for how rural communities can address nutrition and livelihood together. It is not just about making a sweet snack; it is about creating healthier families, stronger SHGs, and empowered villages.