Okra Farming
Abelmoschus esculentus is a vegetable crop native to Ethiopia and West Africa. But now the cultivation of okra has spread in many countries of the tropical zone.
Okra farming in Tanzania has been an important source of income for farmers, but success is not achieved without proper knowledge and planning. As a nutritious and versatile crop, okra has the potential to bring great benefits to farmers and consumers.
Okra is a crop that has a great contribution to human health and is an important source of vitamins and minerals, potassium and lime, which are important for the health of bones, teeth and help muscle function. Most farmers, especially small farmers, depend on this crop as a source of income due to being used by the majority of Tanzanians.
However, it is important to know all the steps needed to make okra farming so that it is successful. In this guide, we will cover the key aspects of okra farming in Tanzania, including: field preparation, planting methods, soil requirements, fertilizer requirements, pest and disease control, and harvesting techniques.
Through this lesson, I hope you will learn specific knowledge that will enable you to achieve a successful okra harvest and increase your income. Continue.
A suitable area for okra cultivation
Okra is a crop cultivated in many areas of the country. Some of the areas that grow okra in Tanzania include the regions of Morogoro, Dodoma, Tabora, Pwani and Mbeya.
It is important to choose a suitable area for okra cultivation before starting production. It is good that the area that will be used for okra cultivation should have easy access to water to facilitate irrigation.
Also, the farm should be easily accessible to make it easier to service the farm and transport the produce to the market or be easily accessible by buyers following the produce in the farm.
The okra crop is heavily attacked by nematodes. Therefore, do not choose an area that has been used for the cultivation of crops that can be attacked by roundworms such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and green peppers.
With caution, you can cultivate this crop in an area that has been used for the cultivation of grain crops such as corn and sorghum because these crops are not attacked by roundworms.
An environment that grows okra well
Climate and Altitude
Okra is a heat-loving crop, so it thrives in areas with temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 degrees Celsius. The best growth is seen in areas with temperatures of 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius can cause dropping. for flowers. Okra grows well in areas of different altitudes up to 1000 meters from sea level with moderate rainfall.
Soil
The okra crop thrives in a variety of fertile, deep, well-draining and water-resistant soils. However, this crop does best when grown in sandy loam soil with sufficient fertility and acidity ranging from Ph 5.8 to 6.5. Okra seeds fail to germinate when the soil temperature is below 16 degrees Celsius.
Okra farm preparation
Preparation Time
The okra field should be prepared as early as one month before planting to allow weeds and crop residues to decompose properly. For rain-fed agriculture, it is better to start preparations early before the monsoon rains. It is recommended to start preparations early in January. With irrigated agriculture, you can start preparations at any time according to your needs and target market.
How to prepare the field
Fields are prepared by mowing, pulling out stumps and plowing before measuring and placing ridges.
(i) Towers
The fields are cultivated using hand plows, animal-drawn plows, power tillers or tractors. The use of animal-drawn plows, power tillers and tractors makes farming easier and more efficient as it loosens the soil well and makes it loamy.
When you use a hand plow in plowing, make sure you land the soil at a depth of 20 cm to 30 cm and soften the lumps. Well-drained soil allows the air needed by the plant, facilitates the growth of roots and conserves water well.
(ii) Measuring the field (field layout)
It is important to start measuring the field before starting to prepare the ridges in order to get the ridges in good order and the plant lines in the field are straight. Before measuring the ridges it is also important to know the planting space you will use to get the correct size of each ridge.
For example with a planting space of 60 cm × 40 cm for large ridges you can make each ridge 1.2 cm wide and any length. Leave a space of 1 m around the field and the path after every 50 cm wide embankment. Use a tape measure or a rope with measurements to measure the field while marking the ridges and paths by inserting things (pegs) in each corner of the embankment and wrapping the rope.
(iii) Placing ridges
It is recommended to plant okra in ridges to help the roots grow well and the soil to retain water. During the dry season, make slightly lowered ridges so that water can stay in the soil and during the spring, the ridges should be slightly raised from the ground level to prevent the water from stagnating.
The ridges can be large or small according to the wishes of the farmer. Large ridges are planted in two rows and small ridges are planted in one row. Make ridges by following the markings made when surveying the field.
How to Plant Okra
The okra crop can be sown directly in the field or from a nursery. However, if your seeds have good germination, it is better to sow the seeds directly to reduce unnecessary costs. And if you decide or have to start a nursery, make sure you follow all the procedures for the preparation and care of the nursery. And transplant the seedlings when they grow with three to four real leaves.
Preparation of okra seeds
You need okra seeds as much as one kilogram (1 kg) to one and a half (1.5 kg) to plant an area of one acre. However, this amount can be affected by the planting position and seed germination.
Okra seeds are a little difficult to germinate, so it is better to prepare them to facilitate their germination. Okra seeds are prepared by soaking them in warm water for twenty-four hours to stimulate germination. Okra seeds take 5 to 10 days to germinate.
A variety of okra seeds
There are different types of okra seeds available in Tanzania such as Clemson Spineless, Emerald Green, White Velvet, Perkins Mammoth and Dwarf Prolific. The seeds that are used by many are
- Clemson spineless : this seed tends to grow 1 to 1.5 meters tall and produce green okra about 15 cm long. It takes 55 to 58 days to start harvesting.
- Emerald green : this seed has a tendency to grow up to 1.5 m in height and produce green okra with a length of 18 to 20 cm. It takes 58 to 60 days to start harvesting.
- White velvet : this seed tends to grow 1.5 to 1.8 m long and produce long, thin, pointed okra with a length of 15 to 18 cm.
Okra Planting Space
Okra can be planted in different positions ranging from 60 to 80 cm between rows and 30 to 50 cm from hole to hole. Make sure you follow the instructions for the respective seed on the recommended position.
Okra Planting Steps
You can follow the following steps in planting okra seeds in the field:
- Pour a lot of water on the field twelve hours before planting the seeds to soften the soil and make planting easier.
- Dig planting holes with a depth of 2 to 3 cm in the recommended position for the seeds to be used in two rows on each ridge using a measuring string.
- Put two handfuls of ripe manure in the planting hole and mix it with the soil to get a good mix. For planting fertilizer like DAP, put one cap of soda in each planting hole and then cover the fertilizer with a thin layer of soil before planting the seeds. Fifty kilos of DAP fertilizer is enough to be used in one acre area.
- Plant two seeds in each hole, cover with light soil, press and then water.
Okra care after planting
Farm maintenance is very important because it determines the amount of harvest you can get from the farm. A field that does not receive good care, even if the best high-yielding seed is used, the yield will still be poor.
Farm care includes the following...
Irrigation
There are different irrigation methods that can be used in okra garden irrigation such as drip irrigation, canal irrigation and can irrigation.
The decisions of the irrigation method you will choose should consider the productivity of the relevant project. Don't waste the money you invested in your farm by watering it poorly; instead, put good infrastructure that will bring you productivity in your production.
The irrigation schedule should take into account the following factors: soil type, the stage of growth of your plants and the season of production.
Sandy soil loses water very quickly; okra needs a lot of water when it is in the stage of producing flowers and fruits; and during the dry season the loss of water in the ground is very high. So it is very important to make sure your farm gets water at the right time considering reasons like these.
Transplanting and Thinning Seedlings
Check seed germination 10 to 14 days after planting. Plant all the holes that did not germinate, as early as you can.
You can remove excess seedlings from one hole and transplant them into the holes that did not grow. However, this should be done three weeks after planting when the plants have reached a height of 10 to 15 cm.
Fertilizer requirements for planting and growing
For planting fertilizer like DAP: The amount of 50 kg of DAP fertilizer is enough to be used in one acre area. Place one cap of baking soda in each planting hole and then cover the compost with a thin layer of soil before planting the seeds.
For growing fertilizer we advise you to use NPK as much as 50 kg per acre. NPK fertilizer provides the three essential nutrients Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash. This fertilizer should have a ratio of 1:1:2 as this crop needs a good balance of potassium and other nutrients to get fruit. If there is too much nitrogen, the plant will produce many leaves without fruit and cause a poor yield.
Apply fertilizer six weeks after planting at the level of one soda cap around the stem 5 cm from where the stem is and repeat every two weeks until the end of harvest.
Pesticides and diseases
i. Antifungals
The choice of fungicides is accompanied by the diseases that attack the relevant crop, so it is good to know the diseases that attack the okra crop before choosing the drugs to use as prevention or treatment when the diseases appear. You can start spraying the fungus one to two weeks after the seedlings germinate and repeat every one to two weeks depending on the instructions of the respective medicine.
ii. Pesticides
Spray insecticides after seeing pests in your garden to be able to choose the right pesticide to control the type of insects that invaded your garden.
Weed Control
Weeding should be done from the fourth week after planting and repeat every two to three weeks. Make sure there are no weeds in the garden during the flowering and fruiting period to avoid competition between crops and weeds in obtaining water, nutrients, air and light. Weeds also provide opportunities for pathogens and insects to hide and attack crops.
You can control weeds by using mulch, or by weeding using a hand hoe or herbicides. It is important to remove weeds and keep the field clean at all times.
Placing Blankets
Mulches help control weeds, conserve moisture and increase soil fertility. For good results in weed control, it is recommended to apply mulch by spreading it in the soil at a depth of 10 to 15 cm in all areas of the embankment around the seedling holes.
Natural mulches such as corn stalks, rice bran, peanut shells and wood chips can be placed before transplanting after digging the planting holes or after transplanting. Plastic sheets are placed in advance before transplanting after preparing the ridges.
Harvesting Okra
The yield rate
One acre of okra produces an average yield of five to eight tons.
However, the yield of okra per acre depends on the care of the field, the fertility of the seed used and the number of plants in the field. Different types of seeds have different fertility and thus yields are different. Likewise, different fields planted with the same type of seed and receiving different levels of care have different yield levels.
Harvest Time
Okra takes 50 to 60 days to start harvesting. It is ready to be harvested five days after the flowers are still young and 5 to 10 cm long depending on the type of seed. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest okra every three days from the first harvest in the morning. Okra harvesting can continue for 30 to 40 days from the first harvest.
How to harvest okra
- Prepare tools and equipment for harvesting such as knife, scissors and bucket or any plastic container by cleaning them with clean water and soap.
- Prepare a place where you will be keeping the okra during harvest that is in the shade near the field and lay a tarp.
- When harvesting, cut the okra stem near the branch that holds the fruit and then place the fruit in a bucket. Make sure you harvest okra and its pods so they don't spoil easily.
- When the bucket is full of okra, spread it in a tarpaulin placed near the garden so that they can get air and cool down from the heat of the field (field heat) before packing them.
- Clean the harvesting equipment thoroughly with clean water and soap after each harvesting day to prevent pathogens.
Things to consider when harvesting
Do not let okra ripen before harvesting because ripe okra is hard and stringy and therefore not marketable for home consumption. Also, leaving the okra to mature in the plant causes the plant to stop producing early and thus the yield is low.
Use a knife or scissors when harvesting to avoid damaging the stem and disturbing the roots of the plant. Likewise, do not harvest okra that shows signs of rotting or being affected by insects. For some people, okra can cause skin irritation so make sure you wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when harvesting.
Okra Market and Its Prices
Okra is one of the most widely produced and consumed vegetables in Tanzania. This crop is available in many parts of the country and is sold in many markets across the country. The okra market in Tanzania depends on domestic and foreign demand.
In the local market, okra is eaten by many people due to its good taste and the growth of the crop in many parts of Tanzania. Vegetable and fruit vendors sell okra at markets in big cities, fruit and vegetable shops, and at bus stations. The price of okra depends on the season, the difficulty of obtaining it, and the location of the market.
For example, in the month of October 2023, a 50 kg bag of okra was sold between TZS 10,000 and TZS 25,000 in various areas of Morogoro region.
In the foreign market, Tanzania has the opportunity to sell okra to foreign countries due to its quality and international demand. Okra sells mainly in neighboring countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Also, Tanzania has the opportunity to sell okra to countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
However, the challenges of the okra market in Tanzania include the lack of good technology for storage and transportation of the crop, low production and poor management of the quality of the crop. The government strives to help okra farmers through policies aimed at increasing the production and quality of the crop, improving marketing systems, and providing training to farmers on the best methods of production and quality management.
Benefits of okra in the body
Okra has many benefits for human health due to the nutrients and minerals it contains. Some of the benefits of okra for the body include:
- Reducing the risk of heart diseases: Okra has a high level of fiber and potassium minerals that help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
- Strengthening the immune system: Okra has a large amount of vitamin C and antioxidants that help strengthen the body's immune system and fight various diseases.
- Improves skin health: Okra contains vitamins C, A and antioxidants that help maintain skin health and prevent damage caused by sunlight and pollution.
- Reduce the risk of diabetes: Okra is high in fiber and normal sugar, which helps control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Helps you lose weight: Okra is very low in calories.
- Aids in digestion: Since okra is high in fiber.
- Helps prevent night blindness: Okra has a high level of vitamin A which is important for eye health and can help prevent night blindness.
- Reducing the risk of kidney disease: Okra contains potassium that helps control sodium levels in the blood and reduces the risk of kidney disease.
- Helping in brain health: Okra contains nutrients that support brain health such as folate, vitamins B6 and B12, which help in improving memory and cognitive functions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, okra farming in Tanzania has the potential to be a very profitable project, but it requires careful planning, preparation and implementation.
If you follow the methods outlined in this guide, you will increase your chances of success and produce high quality products that meet the needs of consumers.
Remember to prepare your field well, choose the right time to plant, use fertilizers for planting and growing, control pests and diseases, and use proper harvesting techniques.
With dedication and hard work, you can start an okra farming business and make a positive impact on the health and economy of your community.
So, roll up your shirt sleeves, put on your farm boots, and begin the successful journey of okra farming!