O

kra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) is a tall growing, warm season and annual vegetable
crop. It is a popular and a profitable vegetable crop in the country. The young and
tender fruits can be prepared as salad, boiled, broiled or fried and can be mixed in
any meat and fish dishes. It is also an important vegetable mix of the famous Ilocano dish,
pinakbet. Okra is rich in vitamin A, protein, calcium, fats, potassium, phosphorus, iron and
carbohydrates.

Aside from its nutritional value, okra is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of
stomach ulcer, inflammation of the lungs, colitis and sore throat.

Nearly half of the fruit is soluble fiber in the form of gums and pectins. Soluble fiber helps
lower serum cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. The other half is insoluble fiber
which help keep the intestinal tract healthy decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer,
especially colorectal cancer. Nearly 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin B6 and folic
acid are also present in a half cup of cooked okra.

Generally, okra is planted for home consumption. But planting this crop extensively can give a year-round income for a
farm family.

SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

kra can tolerate a wide range of soil types but for better yield, plant in silty to sandy loam soils that are well-drained
O and with adequate organic matter.

Okra thrives best in a long, warm growing season.

CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Selection of Varieties

hose varieties that are adapted to your local conditions, resistant to pests and diseases and preferred in the local
C market for better profit.

To guide you in choosing your variety, refer to the Guide in Selecting Varieties of Lowland Vegetables included in this kit.

Land Preparation

repare the field as early as possible to give enough time for the weeds and stubbles of
P previous crops to decompose. Plow and harrow 2 to 3 times alternately at one week
interval. Plow at a depth of 15 to 20 cm. Harrow twice to break the clods and level the
field. A well-pulverized soil promotes good soil aeration and enhances root formation.

A day before planting, prepare furrows at a distance of 75 cm between rows.

Fertilizer Application

t is necessary to apply fertilizers based on soil analysis to ensure the right kind and amount of fertilizer are applied.
I However, in the absence of soil analysis, follow the following recommendations:

• Aplly 6 to 10 bags of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) and 10 bags of organic fertilizer per hectare. Apply the fertilizer
within the furrows nd cover with fine soil before planting.
• Sidedress urea (46-0-0) 30 days after planting at the rate of 10 grams or one tbsp per hill.

Planting

kra is commonly planted directly in the field. It requires 7 to 10 kg of okra seeds to plant a hectare farm.To attain
O uniform germination and good crop stand, soak the seeds overnight before planting.

Plant okra seeds in slightly moist soil at a rate of 2 to 3 seeds per hill at a distance of 30 cm and 2 to 5 cm deep. Replant
missing hills 3 days after emergence.
Irrigation

W
ater is a limiting factor in crop production. Irrigate or water the plants regularly whenever the
soil is dry or the plants show sign of wilting. Use furrow irrigation if available every 7 to 14
days depending on the season and soil type. Thin the plants to two (2) seedlings per hill 15
days after planting. Remove stunted and sickly seedlings leaving only the healthy ones.

Cultivation and Weeding

Off-bar the plants at 15 days after emergence to minimize the growth of weeds. Do not cultivate too
close to the base of the plants to avoid disturbing the roots.

Hill-up one month after emergence or 15 days after off-baring to cover the base of the plants. Hand-
pull remaining weeds between plants.

Crop Protection

Okra is usually resistant to insect pests and diseases. However, it is necessary to observe the field to
make sure that the plants are free from pests.

The most important pest of okra are cotton stainer and stink bug. The most serious fungal diseases
are cercospora blight, powdery mildew, fruit rot and root knot nematode.

In case of insect pests infestation follow the recommendations in controlling specific pests given in
the Insect Pest and Disease Management Guide included in this kit. If diseases are observed, uproot
and bury infected plants and maintain the cleanliness of the field.

Maintain field sanitation to prevent pest and diseases occurence.

Ratooning (Optional)

Ratooning is cutting of stem of old plants to induce branching and emergence of new shoots.

Okra can be ratooned to minimize cost of production. After harvesting, cut the stems leaving about
one foot from the ground. Shallow cultivate in between rows using plow. Sidedress the ratoon with
10 grams urea per hill to induce shoot emergence. Hill up to cover the fertilizers. Irrigate through the
furrows if moisture is not sufficient.
Harvesting and Postharvest Activity

kra starts to flower 40 to 75 days after planting.Young and

O tender fruits can be harvested 4 to 6 days from flowering.

Immature fruits are more acceptable for table consumption.
Harvest only the fruits that measure 3 to 4 inches at 2 to 3 days
interval. Harvest in the morning or late in the afternoon to maintain
the freshness of the fruits.

A hectare field can produce about
18 to 25 tons of okra fruits.

High quality produce demands better price in the market.Sort and

discard malformed and diseased fruits.

Pack okra fruits in woven basket, polyethylene bags, box or
wooden crates lined with banana leaves or old newspaper to
prevent bruising. Do not overload the containers to prevent
compaction of the produce.

COST AND RETURN ANALYSIS FOR OKRA

Per Hectares Basis for CY 2008

PARTICULARS UNIT QNTY UNIT COST (P) TOTAL COST (P)

A. Labor Inputs/Hectare
1. Land Preparation
a. 1st Plowing 8 300.00 2,400.00
b. 1st Harrowing 4 300.00 1,200.00
c. 2nd Plowing 5 300.00 1,500.00
d. 2nd Harrowing 3 300.00 900.00
f. Furrowing 2 300.00 600.00
2. Planting MD 15 150.00 2,250.00
3. Basal Fertilization MD 5 150.00 750.00
4. Thinning MD 10 150.00 1,500.00
5. Care of the Plants
a.Irrigation (2x a wk for 1 month) MD 9x2 150.00 2,700.00
b. Weeding and cultivation (3x) MD 3x5 150.00 2,250.00
c. Side dressing of fetilizer 8 100.00 1,200.00
d.Hilling up MD 5 300.00 1,500.00
e. Control of pest and diseases MD 3x3 150.00 1,350.00
6. Harvesting (8 primings) MD 50 150.00 7,500.00
7. Packing MD 15 150.00 2,250.00
8. Hauling MD 4 150.00 600.00
Sub-Total 30,450.00

B. Materials Inputs
1.Seeds (OPV) kg 7 350.00 2,450.00
2.Fertilizer
Complete (14-14-14) bag 2 1,800.00 3,800.00
Organic Fertilizer bag 20 200.00 4,000.00
3.Insecticides liter 4 850.00 3,400.00
4.Polyethylene sack 100 60.00 6,000.00
5. Fuel liter 40 50.00 2,000.00
6.Miscellaneous 1,500.00
Sub-Total 23,150.00
Sub-Total (A & B) 53,600.00
C. Contingencies (15% of the total labor & material inputs) 8,040.00
GRAND TOTAL 61,640.00
Estimated Yield/ha (kg) 20,000
Estimated Gross Income (P15.00/kg) 300,000.00
Estimated Net Income 238,360.00
Return on Investment (ROI) 386%
Break Even Price (per kg) 11.94
MD-man days
 REFERENCES

OKRA PRODUCTION GUIDE. Agricultural Communication Section, Department of

Agriculture Regional Field Unit No. 02, Tuguegarao City.

COST OF PRODUCTION PER HECTARE OF DIFFERENT VEGETABLES: ISABELA

CONDITION. 2004. A Handout. HVCC Section, Department of Agriculture Regional
Field Unit 02, Tuguegarao City.
Writer CLARIS M. ALASKA
Agriculturist II, ATI-RTC 02

Writer/Managing Editor MARIA NORMA G. MADDALORA

Information Officer II, ATI-RTC 02

Technical Editors/
Subject Matter Specialists LEONIDA C. DE GUZMAN
Sr. Agriculturist/Vegetable Specialist
DA-CVIARC, Ilagan, Isabela

MAYDA P. CALLUENG
Agriculturist II/Vegetable specialist
DA-CVLMROS, Iguig, Cagayan

CENON B. MALLILLIN
Agriculturist II/Vegetable
IPM Specialist, DA-RCPC
Ilagan, Isabela

MA. VISITACION Z. PERDIDO

Agriculturist II/Vegetable
IPM Specialist, DA-RCPC

Graphic Artists TEODORO B. BAUI

Artist/Illustrator II, ATI-RTC 02

RONALD E. DAGUIO
Knowledge Products Management Division, ATI

Associate Editors THERESA AURORA B. COSICO

BENEDICT C. NATIVIDAD
Knowledge Products Management Division, ATI

Editors ANTONIETA J. ARCEO

Officer-in-Charge
Knowledge Products Management Division, ATI

RENATO A. MAGUIGAD
Center Director
ATI-RTC 02

Consultants ROBERT B. OLINARES

Supervising Agriculturist
HVCC Regional Program Coordinator
DA-RFU 02, Tuguegarao City

ORLANDO J. LORENZANA
RIARC Manager
DA-CVIARC, Ilagan, Isabela

Advisers AD EVELYN ARO-ESQUEJO, MNSA, CESO VI

AD ALBERTO B. MANINGDING, MNSA, CESO IV
DIRECTOR ASTERIO P. SALIOT, MNSA, CESO III
 This brochure is one part of the 11 brochures contained in A
Guide to Lowland Vegetable Production prepared and produced
by the Agricultural Training Institute in cooperation with DA
Regional Field Unit No. 02, Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricul-
tural Research Center (DA-CVIARC), Cagayan Valley Lowland
Marine Research Outreach Station (DA-CVLMROS) ATI-RTC
Cagayan Valley, and the GMA-High Value Commercial Crops
(HVCC) program.

Copyright 2008
For more information, please write or call:

Knowledge Products Management Division Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Training Institute Regional Field Unit No.2
ATI Bldg., Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City
Trunkline: (63-2) 929-8541 to 49 Loc. 255, 258
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Fax Number: (63-2) 920-9792 Telefax: (63-78) 8469131; 8441031; 8463379
Website: www.ati.da.gov.ph E-mail: da_rfu2000@yahoo.com
www.e-extension.gov.ph
Email address:kpmd@ati.da.gov.ph

Ginintuang Masaganang Ani

High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Program
4th Floor Department of Agriculture
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Website: htpp://hvcc.da.gov.ph
Email: gmahvcc04@yahoo.com
Telefax: (63-2) 9279460