A comprehensive step by step guide to okra production in Ghana. This guide may apply to areas with similar climatic conditions to that of Ghana.
Botanical Name: Hibiscus esculentus
Suitable varieties: Lady’s Finger, Quim Bombo, Asutem, Clemson Spineless, Labadi Dwarf.
Source of seeds: Buy certified seeds from reputable seed companies.
Climatic requirements
Okra can be produced anywhere in Ghana but as a warm season crop, it does best in warm moist soils. Low lying areas with evenly distributed annual rainfall of up to 1000 mm and temperatures between 25-350c are most suitable. The crop can withstand extreme temperatures as occur in the dry season.
Site Selection
It is grown on sandy to clay soils but relatively light, well-drained, rich soils are ideal. Well-manured loamy soils with pH of 6.0-6.8 (slightly acidic) are recommended.
Land preparation
The land should be cleared of trees, grasses and root stumps, double plough and harrow soil to a fine tilth. Incorporate well-decomposed manure at 20 MT/ha to improve the soil texture and aeration. Prepare ridges and furrows spaced 60cm apart.
Read also: No-till (Conservation) farming vs Conventional Tillage Agriculture
Propagation
Soak seeds for 24 hours in water or 30 mins in ethyl alcohol and acetone. Sow directly into a moist soil at 20-40 cm within rows and 60-90 cm between rows at a depth of 2-5 cm. after germination, thin out to one plant per stand.
Average seed rate
3-5 kg/ha depending on variety and seed viability.
Nutrient Management
Test soil to determine fertility level and adjust rates to meet the crop’s nutrients requirements.
Fertilizer Application
As a general rule, apply NPK 15-15-15 at 220 kg/ha at planting. During flowering apply 110-150 kg/ha of Sulphate of Ammonia or 75 kg of Urea.
Read also: Inorganic Fertilizer: Advantages and Disadvantages
Irrigation
Adequate soil moisture is necessary for optimum growth and yield. A regular irrigation schedule of 350 mm of water every 10 days is recommended for maximum yields.
Weed Control
Keep the field free of weeds with inter-row cultivators, by applying approved pre and post-emergent herbicides, hoeing or handpicking. Avoid damaging plant roots.
Pest and Disease Control
Common pests of Okra include Aphids, Diamondback moth Whitefly, Bollworm, Jassids, Cotton stainer and bollworm, Leafroller, Mealybug, Sting bug. To control, adopt IPM practices. Apply Neem seed extract (700g- 1kg of well-dried neem seeds/15L of water knapsack) and/apply EPA approved. Always follow manufacturers’ recommendations.
Root-knot nematodes
Nematodes feed on young root causing wilt and produce large galls on the roots thus reducing fruit yield. Apply neem cake at 250 kg/ha and /or EPA approved nematicides to control.
Major diseases
Powdery mildew: Characterised by white dusty growth on the leaves which turn brown and die out. To control, spray seedlings with Sulphur-based fungicides and remove weeds.
Leaf curl and Mosaic: Both transmitted by Aphids and Whiteflies.
Leaf curl: Leaves are small and cup-shaped with prominent veins on the underside of the leaf. Plants become stunted.
Mosaic: Leaves are of normal size and shape but are mottled green or yellow in colour. Plants become stunted. To control, plant resistant varieties. Control vectors with EPA approved insecticides and/or insecticidal soaps before diseases spread. Avoid smoking or carrying cigarettes to the farm when working or handling seedlings, rogue out affected plants early. Practice crop rotation with non-susceptible crops.
Harvesting
Harvest pods while still tender, usually, 5-6 days after flower opening. Okra should be harvested 2-3 times/ week. Regular picking increases yield. Cut or snap pods from the plant in the cooler parts of the day. Pods should be kept in a cool place. Harvested okra should be handled carefully to avoid bruising. Bruised pods will turn black or brown within a few hours. Okra harvesters should always wear cotton gloves when harvesting and handling pods to minimise bruising.
Grading
Sort, grade and pack in boxes, or baskets according to market specification.
Packaging
For the export markets, okra is packed in 6kg boxes.
Yields
Yields of okra are dependent on cultivar, time and frequency of harvest. An average of 6-12 tonnes/ha can be obtained.
Operational Budget/Ha/Yr
| Activity | Cost(Ghc) |
| Land rent | 250.00 |
| Land preparation | 400.00 |
| Seeds | 600.00 |
| Fertilizer and manure | 2312.00 |
| Pesticides | 100.00 |
| labour | 2500.00 |
| Total estimated cost | 6,162.00 |
Revenue
Average fruit yield/ha = 12 tons
=12,000 kg
Percentage loss of 5%
Available yield for market
= 95/100×12,000kg = 11400kg
Packaging in 6 kg box = 11400/6 kg =1900 boxes
Farm gate price/6 kg = Ghc8
Income = 1900×8= Ghc15,200.00
Net income = Ghc 15,200-6,162 = Ghc9,038.00
Note: This budget does not include fixed cost and overheads.
©2013
Reference: Okra Production (mofa.gov.gh)
Image source: twitter.com
24 Comments. Leave new
Hi sir, please what do you think is the least amount I can start okra farming with?
How profitable is garden eggs farming?
It is profitable, generally speaking.
You may refer to Experts’ Guide to good Garden Eggs Production in Ghana for an idea about exactly how profitable.
Thanks, Bright.
I have some acres of land at Ayensudu near Elmina in the Central Region. Which plantation will be good for me to farm as I want to go into full scale agriculture?
Thanks
Badaru, can please provide further information on the nature of your land to suggest a crop or enterprise. Thank you.
Thanks so much for your quick response.
Honestly I have little knowledge in terms of identifying nature of lands. As I said earlier on, the land is at Ayensudu, on the road side, A minute drive away from Papa Kwesi Ndoum’s University.
It has been lying fallow for years now and I want to do something on this land and your website has really ignited my interest in Agric.
Please, kindly advice me on crops that do well on these lands. I am in Takoradi and can’t be on the land everyday so I need one that will not demand my visit daily.
Thanks
I wold like to know if I can get an individual to professionally train me and help me with how to start up a commercial okra farm?
Sure, Kofi.
Please register at the Myfarm Community (http://myfarm.agrihomegh.com/register) and get people to help you.
After registration, start a topic (http://myfarm.agrihomegh.com/support-forum) on your subject to get the help you need.
Thanks a lot.
Haven’t seen Podagrica as part of the major insect pest of okra. Which variety will you recommend for export and why
which months in the year is ideal for okra production?
In Ghana, the beginning of the two rainy seasons (March and August) are ideal for okra production but produce get the lowest prices at harvest time. You may choose off-seasons to get good prices for your produce, if you can provide irrigation for the okra plants.
Thanks, Seraphim.
Could planting at distances more than the planting distance affect production?
Yes, EK.
That will reduce plant population ie. the number of plants per the area, and so yield will be reduced. Production cost may also increase. Planting at the correct distance will allow the plants to adequately shade the soil and reduce weeds growth, thereby reducing labour or cost of control.
Thanks.
Please how many bags of okra can you obtain on just an acre …thus one acre ?
Emmanuel, I am not able to tell the size of the standard bag used for okra, therefore the weight of the bags with okra. The standard as specified in the post is the box and this may differ from location to location. Please find out what pertains to your location and we may be able to help.
The average yield of okra is specified in tonnes in the post.
Thank you.
Please, for how long does harvesting takes from day one till the plants die off ?
The length of harvest is very much dependent on the variety, all other things being equal. Some will take just about 45-60days to complete fruiting and die. There are varieties that could also fruit for more than 6months. We could be in a better position if we knew the variety or if you can provide some description.
Thanks, Christian.
How do u prepare neem seed extract.
I have an okro farm but some pest are always eating the leaves of the plant what pesticides can I use .
And sometimes the new leafs turn black and die.
Can you please give a brief description of the pest and damage of leaf (small perforation or skeletized or sieve-like appearance of leaf) For the leaf turning black and dying I need to see a clear pics of that. And is the infection scattered or localised? Pls, I need the response for diagnosis. Thanks
my okra farm is being infected by some small golden insects…. but my problem is, the plants are very young of about 2 weeks….. any advice on the kind of pesticides to use if the plants are not too young…. thanks
Try
Sanitox at 4ml/15l knapsack. Observe phi (post-harvest interval) of 2days and rei (reentry interval) of 12hours.
OR
Fastrack 10sc at 15ml/15l knapsack at 7 to 10days interval.
Thanks, Sinbad.
My okra is planted real close due to the size of my garden, could this effect it’s production?
Thanks for your comment. Planting distance can affect yield. There is increased competition for nutrients, air, water, space and it encourages the insects and pest habitation in your garden. These factors definitely affect yield. We would advise, no matter the size of your garden, that you give appropriate spacing to plants. We would be glad if you can show pictures in the crops forum for further direction. We love to help.