Tropical and subtropical vegetables (2+1)

Okra

• Okra has tremendous export potential as fresh vegetable. It accounts for 70 percent of the 30 percent exchange earnings, other than onion, from export of vegetables. Major targets have been our neighboring countries in the gulf and south East Asia, particularly Singapore, Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Middle East countries which are upcoming potential markets for export of vegetables from India. For fresh fruits export, bhendi fruits should be green, tender, 6-9 cm long. Among them the suitable varieties for export are Pusa Sawani, Parbhani Kranti, Varsha Uphar and Pusa A-4. Although bhendi is grown for export in different parts of the country, the major exporting areas are Nasik, Ozar, Saikheda, Kolhar, Dindori and Sholapur in Maharashtra.