Okra Farming: Health Benefits, Cultivation Guide, and Top Producing States

Oh wow okra, yessiree, Okra is Okay with me, Oh okra’s favored far and wide, Oh you can eat it boiled or fried. 

This poem by Roy Blount, Jr. is a humorous and celebratory poem that praises okra for its unique qualities and versatility in cooking. 

This poem offers you a brief health benefits of eating okras while adding it in your diet with some new recipes. 

Okra generally in India also known as lady fingers is considered the one of the healthiest choices among vegetables. Okra has played a significant role in various cuisines, especially in African and African diasporic traditions. 

Its introduction to the Americas is deeply intertwined with the history of slavery and the resilience of enslaved people who managed to cultivate it in new lands.

India ranks first in the world in okra production, accounting for a significant portion of global output.  Let's explore more about okra: 

 What is okra ?

Okra is an annual or perennial plant that can grow up to 2 meters tall. Its leaves are palmately lobed, and its flowers are yellow with a red or purple spot at the base. 

The okra fruit is a greenish capsule, typically 10–30 cm long and 1–4 cm in diameter, containing numerous seeds. 

Okra is an integral part of many cuisines and cultures worldwide, reflecting its versatility and nutritional value. 

It has been introduced to various regions through historical trade and migration, becoming a staple in many traditional dishes.

Okra requires a long, warm, and humid growing season. It thrives in temperatures above 20°C (68°F), with optimal seed germination at around 29°C (84°F). Okra is susceptible to frost and cannot grow well in cold conditions. 

There are different growing seasons for oras at the domestic and global level. Here is an overview: 

Also Read: Broccoli farming in India: Varieties, Nutritional Value, and Health Benefits

• In India

• Summer Crop: Sown in February–March and harvested between April–June.
• Rainy Season Crop: Sown in June–July with the onset of rains and harvested between August–October.
•  Due to the absence of frost and severe winters, okra can be grown throughout the year in southern regions
• United States and Northern Climates: Okra is typically planted in the spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed. In colder climates, seeds are often started indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost date. 

India is the world's largest producer of okra, with several states contributing significantly to its production. Here are the some major okra growing states in India:

1. Gujarat: Gujarat is considered as the largest producer of ora as it ranked first in okra production, Gujarat produced 1,132.4 kilotonnes in 2023-24 over an area of 932.7 km².  Navsari, Surat, Vadodara, and Junagadh are the major producing regions. 
2. Madhya pradesh: Madhya pradesh is the second largest okra producing state as it contributes  958.93 kilotonnes in 2023-24 over 664.4 km from the regions like Jabalpur, Ratlam, Dewas, and Gwalior. 
3. West bengal: Third in production, with 951.21 kilotonnes in 2023-24 over 817.6 km². Major districts include Murshidabad, Nadia, and Howrah.
4. Bihar: Bihar comes at 4th position in okra production  producing 798.76 kilotonnes in 2023-24 over 598.6 km². Main producing regions are Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, and Patna.
5. Andhra pradesh: Last but not the least Andhra pradesh ranks 5th in producing okra 732.35 kilo tons in 2023-24 over 209.2 km². Key districts are Guntur, Krishna, and Chittoor.

Also Read: What to do to increase the production capacity of Ladyfinger

Different varieties of okras 

Okra comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, offering diverse options for gardeners and cooks. Here are some of the different types of okra:

1. Heirloom Okra: Heirloom okra varieties are cherished for their unique characteristics, that is  its longer, tender pods with great flavor. Asia is known as the origin of this variety of okra, with Nearly spineless pods up to 12 inches long. These okras are Tender and sweet, and can be eaten raw.
2. Dwarf Okra: Dwarf okra varieties are compact plants that grow significantly shorter than standard okra plants, typically reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet. They produce pods that are similar in size and quality to those of taller varieties, often up to 8 inches long.  Many dwarf okras are spineless, making them easier to handle during harvesting. This variety requires well-drained soil and should be planted after the last frost when the soil has warmed up. 
3. Giant okra: Giant okra varieties are known for their tall plants and large, often slender pods. Plants can grow up to 8 feet tall and the pods reach up to 10 inches in length and remain tender without becoming woody and famous for its high yielding capacity. It requires full sun, warm temperatures, and well-drained soil. They thrive in environments with ample space to grow vertically, often needing support to prevent lodging.

Step by step guidance for cultivation 

There are so many cultivation process that should follow for successful okra farming and high yields that can be practice with the help of suitable field, soil, climate , irritation and fertilisers, here is an complete  overview: 

1. Soil preparation: Okra thrives best in well-drained soil with the maintained or balanced pH between 6 and 6.8, for better nutritional addition add compost or manure to enrich the soil. For large-scale farming, apply 10-15 tons of FYM per hectare, Side-dress with urea (46-0-0) 30 days after planting.
2. Sowing seed: Direct wedding can be done by planting the seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 3-4 inches apart in rows. For dwarf varieties, space rows 42 inches apart; for larger varieties, space rows 48-60 inches apart and indoor sowing is practiced by soaking seeds in water for a few hours before sowing them in seed trays. Keep the soil warm (above 16°C or 60°F) for germination.
3. Transplanting: Transplant seedlings 4-6 weeks after sowing, when they have 2-3 sets of leaves and require proper care by handling seed gently  to avoid damaging the taproot. Plant them deeper than they were in the seed tray to cover the stem up to the first true leaves. 
4. Watering process: Okras require proper irrigation by watering the plants regularly, especially during hot weather. Use furrow irrigation if available, every 7-14 days depending on soil type, and proper moisture retaining apply mulching around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
5. Pest control and weed management: Use homemade or organic pesticides to manage pests like aphids and whiteflies. Inspect plants regularly for signs of disease like yellow mosaic virus (YVMV) and powdery mildew. Use fungicides if necessary.
6. Harvesting: Harvest okra pods when they are 2-3 inches long, typically 45-50 days after planting. Best method for harvesting involves using scissors or gently plucking pods just above the cap to encourage continuous production.