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The crop grows best in well-drained fertile soils such as black loam and red soil.
During the rainy season in West Godavari, local farmers focus more on okra than rice, although rice is commonly grown.
Okra is considered an ideal crop for all seasons and thrives especially in hot climates. Therefore, farmers in West Godavari region often choose to cultivate it during summer. In other seasons, when crop acreage is reduced due to lower yields, market prices usually increase. The crop grows best in black loam, red soil, and other well-drained, fertile soils.
During the rainy season in West Godavari, local farmers focus more on okra than rice, although rice is commonly grown. To prepare okra for planting, the soil should be tilled 2-3 times. In addition, 8-10 tons of cow manure should be applied before final tillage. Okra can be sown using two different methods: the Salula method and the Bodela method, the latter of which is ideal for drip irrigation. Farmers in the region also use this method of mulching to control weeds and conserve water.
Okra remains in high demand year-round and is particularly beneficial to local vegetable farmers, as it has proven to be an adaptable and profitable crop during the dry season with minimal water requirements. The initial investment for growing okra ranges between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, with profits varying according to market conditions. This versatility and profitability make okra a valuable crop for farmers in the region.
On the other hand, Aditya Tyagi, a 69-year-old farmer from Melwani city in Dehat province, grows red okra. Tyagi said he received news that the Kashgar Agricultural Research Institute had developed a seed called “Kashi Lalima”. He contacted the Kashgar Agricultural College directly and ordered seeds from there.
Tyagi started farming from February and after some time, the farming was going well. When he took red okra to the market, he found that red okra was more profitable than green okra. Since then, the demand for red okra has increased rapidly.
Speaking to News18, Aditya Tyagi said, “If you grow it properly, you can earn hundreds of thousands of rupees every month. The profit from growing red okra is twice that of green okra. The price is much higher than green okra. That's why it The reason why it didn’t enter the common people’s kitchen.
