Collabration on innovative research into stevia crop development in Vietnam

Stevia Corp., a farm management company focused on the economic development of stevia, the fastest growing product in the alternative sweetener sector, is pleased to announce a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Medicinal Materials ("NIMM") to support innovative research into Stevia crop development.

NIMM is a respected government supported institute located in Hanoi, Vietnam performing comprehensive research, development and post graduate training in the identification, acclimatization and commercialization of medicinal plant resources. NIMMs expertise extends beyond national borders through a series of scientific and technical cooperative efforts with many institutes in foreign countries including Russia, Germany, China, India, Hungary, Korea, Japan, France, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia. Stevia Corp. is very pleased that NIMM has a mutual desire to support the research and development of stevia in order to meet the growing international demand for stevia products and the resultant opportunity to provide a new economic stimulus for Vietnam.

As part of the cooperative agreement, NIMM has made available certain land, buildings, facilities and access to specialized equipment for the study of stevia and its extracts.

Mr. George Blankenbaker, Stevia Corp. President, comments, "We are exceedingly pleased by the support and vote of confidence we are receiving in Vietnam to develop stevia. There is shared confidence that stevia can be developed and become a new source of economic stimulus for the Vietnam farmers and the overall economy. NIMM will be a valuable resource for our technology partner, Agro Genesis, to carry out their research and we are very fortunate to have NIMM's support."