Okra farming also called okro farming is one of the most profitable farming ventures you can do in Nigeria. Most if not all Nigerians eat okra, this type of vegetable is used in the preparation of soups. … Farming is science and you should take it as a very serious business.
Is okra a profitable crop?
Okra can be a profitable crop when recommended production practices are followed. It can return an income over a 10- to 12- week period after harvest starts.
How do I start okra farming in Nigeria?
Plant seeds 1-2 inches apart, the spacing is 1 foot and 12-15 inches apart within rows but close for semi-dwarf varieties. Plant into the soil ½ to 1 inches (1-2 cm) okra germinates after 3-5 days. 3 days when soaking in water, 5 days for the non-soaked ones.
What is the best month to plant okra?
For the best yields, plant okra in the spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. For a good fall crop, plant at least 3 months before the first fall frost.
How long does it take okra to grow in Nigeria?
As soon as they begin to reach full size, it is advisable to begin harvesting. If they stay longer than they should, the pods will become more fibrous and tough. Most species of okra plant takes an average of 2 months to grow and be ready for harvesting. After harvesting, you can store them in a cool dry place.
How many okra plants can be planted per acre?
Spacing and Seeding
When okra is 3 inches tall, plants should be thinned to 8 to 12 inches between plants. Okra has 8,000 seeds per pound (500 per ounce), and 12 to 15 pounds of seeds are required to plant one acre. If a precision planter is used, 7 pounds per acre is recommended.
What is the yield of okra per acre?
A yield of 4500-5500 kg of green edible fruits can be obtained from an acre of land. Okra fruits are not suitable for cold storage for a long time. However, the fruits can be kept in storage at 500 to 10 0C and relative humidity 85 to 90 percent for about 10 days.
How long it takes for okra to grow?
Okra reaches maturity in 50 to 65 days. The plants can produce for ten to 12 weeks. It grows and bears seed pods until frost, which quickly turns them black and kills them. Start harvesting a few days after the okra blooms fade.
How much okra does a plant produce?
How much okra can you get from one plant? If your okra plants have ideal conditions, they can produce 20 – 30+ pods per plant. In a warmer hardiness zone such as zone 9b, you will have a longer growing season, into the fall or longer.
What is the yield of okra per hectare?
Okra fresh pod yield per hectare increased significantly with increases in plant population (Table 5). The highest plant population of 111, 111 plants/ha, produced higher okra yield of 7.36 and 7.29 tons/ha than other treatment in the two cropping season.
What can you not plant near okra?
Okra should not be planted in soil previously utilized to grow vine crops such as sweet potatoes and squash as these crops tend to increase nematode population in soil. Nematodes feast on young okra roots, causing wilt and galls on the roots, which diminishes fruit yield.
Does okra need a lot of water?
Okra does best with about 1/2-inch of water per week, depending on rain fall amounts in your local area. The great thing about growing okra is you can actually go without watering them for a month and the plants will keep on stepping. Some okra plants may need support if they begin to lean over.
How many okra are in a 5 gallon bucket?
3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket would be pushing it in my opinion.
What is the best fertilizer for okra?
Mix 10-10-10 fertilizer or a homemade fertilizer for okra into the soil with a shovel before planting to a depth of 4 inches, about 3 ounces for every 100 square feet of area. The numbers on the fertilizer label indicate the percentages of three critical nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
How do you start an okra farm?
Okra planting is done manually or by the use of seed planters. When planting, sow seeds at ½ to 1-inch deep into the soil, spaced at 12 to 15 inches apart within a row and 24 to 36 inches between rows. The spacing will ensure that the plants receive adequate sunlight, nutrients, and moisture.
How do you make okra produce more?
One trick is to plant okra in extra-wide rows and with spread-out spacing to yield more pods per plant and make harvesting a snap. One trick is to plant okra in extra-wide rows and with spread-out spacing to yield more pods per plant and make harvesting a snap.