CHAPTER 11

OKRA
1. Introduction
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) or ladies finger is important vegetable of the tropical countries and most popular in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon, Iraq and Ghana. Though, it is virtually not grown in Europe and North America, yet, lot of people in these countries have started liking this vegetable because of good amount of vitamin A and folic acid, besides carbohydrates, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. World scenario The total area and production under okra is reported to be 838.15 thousand ha and 5,389.4 thousand tons. It is mainly grown in India, Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Ghana, Egypt, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Cameroon. Largest area and production is in India followed by Nigeria. Highest productivity is reported from Egypt (15.71 tons/ha) followed by Saudi Arabia (11.53tons/ha). Table 11.1: Showing the area, production and productivity of okra (2006) AREA PRODUCTION PRODUCTIVITY ('000ha) ('000 tons) (tons/ha) 838.15 5,389.4 6.43 World 376.10 3684.0 9.79 India* 277.00 731.0 2.63 Nigeria 24.37 168.00 6.89 Sudan 14.68 112.1 7.63 Pakistan 19.00 105.0 5.52 Ghana 7.00 110.0 15.71 Egypt 17.43 77.38 4.43 Benin 4.01 46.36 11.53 Saudi Arabia 4.56 37.62 8.24 Mexico 18.00 32.00 1.77 Cameroon 93.83 445.80 4.75 Others Source: http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567 * Data for India is from Indian Horticulture Database, 2006 Indian scenario There is a slight increase in area and production from 2001-02 to 2005-06. The area has increased from 347.2 thousand ha to 376.1 thousand ha and the production has increased from 3,324.7 thousand tons to 3,684.0 thousand tons. COUNTRY

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Table 11.2: Area, production and productivity of okra in India AREA (000ha) 2001-02 347.2 2002-03 329.2 2003-04 353.1 2004-05 357.3 2005-06 376.1 Source: Indian Horticulture Database, 2006 YEAR PRODUCTION (000tons) 3,324.7 3,244.5 3,631.4 3,512.4 3,684.0 PRODUCTIVITY (tons/ha) 9.6 9.9 10.3 9.8 9.8

2. Major producing states with production of last three years

West Bengal is the leading okra producing state which has production of around 718.9 thousand tons followed by Bihar (714.1 thousand tons). Then comes Orissa (618.8 thousand tons). Area, production and productivity of okra in different states is given in table 11.3. Table 11.3: Area, production and productivity of leading okra growing states in India STATE
2003-04

AREA (000ha)
2004-05 63.7 56.2 71.4 36.0 24.1 10.3 27.6 9.6 8.3 12.7 7.5 30.0 357.3 2005-06 65.8 56.2 71.4 41.0 25.6 18.1 29.0 9.6 8.8 14.0 7.7 28.9 376.1 62.5 58.0 71.4 26.4 28.5 Not available 27.5 9.5 6.4 12.8 7.1 43.0 353.1

PRODUCTION (000tons)
2003-04 652.8 928.7 619.4 183.3 228.1 Not available 169.2 119.2 89.4 85.6 59.8 495.9 3,631.4 2004-05 677.3 730.2 619.7 299.1 301.2 102.4 160.5 120.0 100.0 100.0 60.8 241.2 3,512.4 2005-06 718.9 714.1 618.8 350.3 332.7 184.7 182.7 119.7 110.2 93.7 63.2 194.9 3,684.0

PRODUCTIVITY (tons/ha)
2003-04 10.4 16.0 8.7 6.9 8.0 Not available 6.2 12.5 14.0 6.7 8.4 11.5 10.28 2004-05 10.6 13.0 8.7 8.3 12.5 10.0 5.8 12.5 12.0 7.9 8.1 8.0 9.83 2005-06 10.9 12.7 8.7 8.5 13.0 10.2 6.3 12.5 12.5 6.7 8.2 6.7 9.80

West Bengal Bihar Orissa Gujarat Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarh Maharashtra Assam Uttar Pradesh Haryana Karnataka Others Total

Source: Indian Horticulture Database, 2006

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3. Commercially grown varieties

Some of the important varieties of okra are Pusa Makhmali, Pusa Sawani, IIHR 20-31, Pujab Padmini, Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti, Selection-2, Arka Abhey etc.For export purposes, mostly hybrid varieties are used. A few important hybrid varieties are given below: Variety Sobha Sungrow 35 Vaishali Vijay Adhunik Pancholi Hybrid 64 Azad Kranti Varsha Uphar Co3(Hybrid 8) Seed company Nath Seeds Sungrow Indo-American Hybrid Seeds Indo-American Hybrid Seeds Century Seeds Century Seeds Mahyco Beejo Sheetal HAU TNAU

4. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

Use of hybrid seeds Nutrient and water management. Plant protection against diseases, insects and pests.

5. Harvesting season of crop

Harvest period of okra is depicted below (in 12 months). -Lean Period
STATES JAN FEB MAR APR

-Peak Period
MAY JUN JUL

- Throughout Year
AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

West Bengal Bihar Orissa Gujarat Andhra Pradesh Chhatisgarh Maharashtra Assam Uttar Pradesh Haryana Karnataka Fig. - 26 *The above graph showing harvest pattern in okra growing states. Source: Indian Horticulture Database, 2006 122

6. Arrival pattern in market

Okra is available throughout the year in West Bengal, Orissa and Gujarat. In rest of the states availability of okra is maximum in the period of April to June.

7 (a). Concentrated pockets

Though okra is cultivated through out the country but yet concentrated pockets are there in several districts as listed in table 11.4. Table 11.4: Concentrated pockets of okra in India States Andhra Pradesh Bihar Gujarat Karnataka Maharashtra Orissa West Bengal Districts (markets) Kurnool Vaishali, Nalanda, Muzzafarpur, Begu Sarai Surat, Vadodara, Junagarh Bagalkot, Mandya, Belgaum, Haveri, Bangalore, Bijapur Nasik, Pune, Thane Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Bolangir, Ganjem, Kalahandi, Nadia, 24 Parganas(S), 24 Parganas(N), Bankurs, Murshidabad, Midnapur(E)

7.(b) Catchment areas of market

Table 11.5: Showing catchment areas Andhra Pradesh Bihar Kurnool Muzaffarpur Vaishali Begusarai Gujarat Karnataka Surat Bagalkot Bijapur Belgaum Bangalore Emmiganuru, Kappagalu, Alur, Adoni, Atmakpur, Pattikonda, Dhone, Koilkuntla, Banganpalli, Allagadda Sahebganj, Baruraj, Hursepur, Minapur, Kanti, Paru-I, Paru-II, Kurhani, Sacra, Dholi, Bochacha, Gaihati, Katra, Aurai. Kalyanpur, Lalganj, Goraul, Raghopur, Mahnai, Patepur. Mahuwa, Desri, Bidepur,

Cheria, Beriarpur, Bakhri, Bhagwanpur, Bachwara, Barauni, Matihani, Surjagarh Mangrol,Umarwada,Mandvi,Vyara,Valod,Mahuva,Palsana,Kam rej,Olpad,Nizer,Vadoli,Unal. Jamkhandi,Mudhol,Hungund,Badami. Indi,Sindgi,Basavna Bagevadi,Muddebihal,Tikota. Athni,Arkali,Chikodi,Mukeri,Bailhongal,Ramdurg,Khauapur. Amekal,Sonnenahalti,Kannur,Bagalur,Nagarur,Marangondahalli 123

,Haralur,Mantapa,Solurur,Chandapur. Maharashtra Nasik Pune Orissa Sundergarh Mayurbhanj Kalahandi West Bengal Murshidabad Kalvan,Peint,Igatpuri,Sinnar,Niphad,Yeola,Nandgaon,Satara, Furgana,Dindori,Melgaon, Junnar, Ambegaon, Ghod, Rajgurunagar, Wadgaonsirur, Mulshi, Welhe, Purandhar, Bhor, Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Saswad Hemagiri, Banel, Panposh, Raj Gangpur, Baripada, Rairangpur, Karanjia, Udala, Betnoti Dharamgarh, Bhawanipatna, Lanjigarh, Jayapatna Suti, Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Lalgola, Bbhagwangola, Sagardighi, Jiaganj, Lalbagh, Domkal, Bahranpur, Hariharpura, Belaanga, Nawada ,Bharatpura, Barwan, Khargram Karimpur, Tehata, Kaliganj, Nakasipara, Chapra, Krishnanagar, Shantipur, Ranaghat, Chakdaha, Kalyani.

Nadia

8. Criteria and description of grades

Codex standards for okra are not yet published, but okra to be exported should be 3-5 inches in length, green and tender.

9. Packaging and its details

For export purposes, okra is packed in consumer packs of LDPE or PP (polypropylene). Twenty consumer packs of 250 gm are placed in 2X2X5 pattern in a 5 Kg CFB box. The specification details of the box are given below in table 11.6. Table 11.6: Specification details for Corrugated Fiber Board (CFB) Boxes for packing {5 Kg Box (Dimension : 450X265X110 mm)} S.No. Specification 1. Slide Type 5-ply CFB Ring *Flap Tuck-In-Type 5-ply CFB RSC(regular slotted container) 5-ply CFB Tray with LID 5-ply CFB *230X140 X140X140 Min. 10.00 Min..250 Min.350 Max.130

Material for construction 2. Grammage (g/m *230X140 *230X140 *230X140 sq.)(outer to inner) X140X140 X140X140 X140X140 3. Bursting strength Min. 10.00 Min. 10.00 Min. 10.00 kg/cm sq. 4. Puncture resistance Min..250 Min..250 Min..250 inches/teat inch 5. Compression strength Min.350 Min.350 Min.350 Kg. 6. Cobb (30 minutes Max.130 Max.130 Max.130 g/m sq.) *Outer ply of white duplex board Source: Post Harvest Manuals on Exports of Fruits, APEDA, New Delhi 124

10. Distribution of produce from primary to terminal market

Okra is commonly grown in almost all parts of the plains and is consumed by common people in all the states as vegetable. The okra produced in West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Northern states is consumed in this region itself due to high demand. Similar is the case with the okra produced in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa.

11. Price graph of okra in metros

PRICE GRAPH OF OKRA IN METROS
2000 1800 1600 1400 January February March April May June July August September October November December Delhi Pune Kolkata Chennai Bangalore

Price(Rs/Qtl)

1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

Cities

Fig. - 27 *The above graph showing the price (in Rs./Qtl.) of okra in metros

12. Export and export potential

A. Domestic strengths for exporting okra Domestic strengths for exporting okra are detailed in following steps: India is largest producer of okra in the world. In India, a number of superior cultivars and even hybrids are available for cultivation, with a productivity ranging between 15-20 tons/ha. Okra is available in India throughout the year and production can be tailored according to demand. There is excellent research support for okra, because IIHR, Bangalore, IARI, New Delhi, IIVR, Varanasi and SAUs are located in different regions of the country to provide solutions to various problems in its cultivation.

APEDA has sanctioned Agri Export Zones in Punjab, U.P, Gujarat, A.P, Bihar, West Bengal for enhancing export of vegetables including okra. B. Exports There is no separate data for export of Okra, as its exports are included in mixed vegetables. The export of mixed vegetables was stagnant from 2002-03 to 2005-06, however suddenly during 2006-07, export of mixed vegetables spurted to 50,992 tons compared to 27,849 tons in 2002-03 and 22,768 tons during 2005-06.( Table 11.7 & Fig. 28)

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Table 11.7: Export of mixed vegetables in last five years Year Quantity(tons) 2002-2003 27849 2003-2004 18490 2004-2005 28833 2005-2006 22768 2006-2007 50992 Source: APEDA Database, 2006-07
60000

Value(in Rs. Lakhs) 4796.9 3724.1 4798.7 4522.8 12830.1

Export of mixed vegetables in last five years

50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 0

Quantity in tons

Years

Fig.- 28 C. Export potential Since, mixed vegetables comprise vegetables like okra, broccoli, capsicum, torai (ridgegourd), karela (bitter gourd) and lauki (long gourd) etc, it is estimated that 17,500 20,000 tons of okra are being exported at present (taking an estimate of 35-40%) of total production. Maximum amount of these vegetables are exported to GCC countries and largest importers are UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. The exports to EU countries are lesser (almost 1/3rd of GCC countries). Largest importers are U.K, Germany, Switzerland and France. As far as ASEAN countries are concerned, exports of mixed vegetables were made only to Singapore (832 tons) and Indonesia (40 tons). Since, data on imports from other countries either on Comtrade or Trademap is not available and thus information on other competing countries and price realization is not available. It is expected that within next 4-5 years, the exports of okra are likely to increase to 35,000 to 40,000 in next 4-5 years. D. Measures for enhancing competitiveness Following measures need to be adopted for enhancing competitiveness. Major competition in okra export is from Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan and Egypt. These countries are also located nearer to Europe than India. 126

India must increase the productivity and enhance the quality, so that India can make quality product available at a competitive price. Freshness and eye appeal must be enhanced in the product in order to be competitive. Packing should also be effective and attractive. Farmers need to be trained on quality requirements of importing countries. India must brand its product. Markets need to be nurtured on a regular basis.

13. Storage
Temperature Relative Humidity Storage period : : : 7.5 -10C 90-95% 1-2 weeks

14. Documents required for exports

a) Documents related to goods a) Invoice a) Mate Receipt b) Packing List b) Shipping Bill c) Certificate of origin c) Bill of handing b) Bill of Exchange b) GLOBALGAP Certification c) Health Certificate d) Airway Bill b) Documents related to shipment c) Documents related to Payment a) Letter of Credit (L/C) a) Phytosanitary Certificate e) Organic Certification - Certificate indicating material produce is based on organic farming. f) Documents related to Foreign Exchange Regulations GR Form: Documents required by RBI which assures to RBI that the exporter will realize the proceeds of goods within 180 days from the date of Shipment. g) Other Document Bank Realization Certification (BRC): This is the advice given by Foreign Exchange Bank after the realization of money from Importer d) Documents related to quality of goods

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15. Chain of events (from pack house upto shipment)

Harvesting ( in the morning) Handling and transportation Unloading Grading and sorting Packing Precooling Cold storage Palletizing Refrigerated trucks Shipment

16. Price prevailing in international markets

Table 11.8: Showing the price of okra in Dubai market Country Dubai Annual Average price Range Currency USD/kg INR/kg 1.77 80.0 (2003-08)

Source: Personal communication, Dubai

17. Cost Calculation from harvest to packhouse to port

Cost involved in exporting okra from India (as per information collected during 2008) (a) Procurement price*: Approx. price (Rs. /kg) : 16-20

*Price varies according to variety and month of procurement

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(b) Charges for pre cooling, cold storage, packing, transport, etc.(below in table): Table 11.9: Charges for pre cooling, cold storage, packing, transport, etc. Particulars Precooling and cold storage Handling and Packing cost Transportation charge to Mumbai Airport Total cost Source: Estimate of ITS Ltd. (c) Air freight charges*: Freight rates for reefer container are as follows:
A. Air Freight Charges London INR/KG DEL/ LON A/F Surcharge +300 INR 70.00 INR 11.50 Weight : All Weight Group +500 INR 66.00 INR 11.50 +1000 Kgs INR 60.00 INR 11.50

Rs./kg 4.0 5.0 8.0 17.0

B. Air Freight Charges Amsterdam INR/KG DEL/ AMS A/F Surcharge +300 INR 75.00 INR 11.50 Weight : All Weight Group +500 INR 70.00 INR 11.50 +1000 Kgs INR 66.00 INR 11.50

C. Air Freight Charges Dubai All Weight Group DEL/Dubai A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB +45 INR 74/Kg +100 INR 62/Kg +250 INR 50/Kg INR 40/Kg +300 INR 50/Kg INR 40/Kg +500 INR 42/Kg INR 40/Kg +1000 INR 42/Kg INR 40/Kg

Rs. 750 per AWB

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D. Air Freight Charges Doha All Weight Group DEL/Doha A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB +45 INR 75/Kg +100 INR 65/Kg +250 INR 55/Kg INR 35/Kg +300 INR 55/Kg INR 35/Kg +500 INR 45/Kg INR 35/Kg +1000 INR 45/Kg INR 35/Kg

Rs. 750 per AWB

E. Air Freight Charges Muscat All Weight Group DEL/Muscat A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB +45 INR 75/Kg +100 INR 60/Kg +250 INR 50/Kg INR 35/Kg INR 35/Kg Rs. 750 per AWB INR 35/Kg INR 35/Kg +300 INR 50/Kg +500 INR 45/Kg +1000 INR 45/Kg

F. Air Freight Charges Singapore All Weight Group DEL/Singapore A/F (SCR General) AWB +45 INR 88/Kg +100 INR 63/Kg +250 INR 63/Kg +300 INR 44/Kg +500 INR 39/Kg +1000 INR 39/Kg

Rs. 750 per AWB

G. Air Freight Charges Kuala Lampur All Weight Group DEL/ Kuala Lumpur A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB +45 INR 70/Kg +100 INR 63/Kg +250 INR 63/Kg INR 45/Kg +300 INR 55/Kg INR 45/Kg +500 INR 53/Kg INR 38/Kg +1000 INR 53/Kg INR 38/Kg

Rs. 750 per AWB

* It varies from year to year /season to season, capacity of container and distance covered.

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