Crop details

Okra (bamia)

Abelmoschus esculentus

Family: Malvaceae

Quick stats

Family	Malvaceae
Typical harvest	12.0 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	7
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	70
Main uses	Young green pods cooked in stews and sauces, fried, boiled or sun-dried for later use.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Okra (bamia) is widely grown in warm to hot parts of East Africa, especially in home gardens and small irrigated plots.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	22–30 °C
Rainfall	600–900 mm/yr
Altitude	0–1800 m
Best pH	6–7
Soil type	Well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter so Okra (bamia) can root deeply and stand well.
Row spacing	60 cm
Plant spacing	30 cm
Planting depth	2.5 cm
Seed rate	8 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 70 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for young green pods cooked in stews and sauces, fried, boiled or sun-dried for later use..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Okra (bamia) is widely grown in warm to hot parts of East Africa, especially in home gardens and small irrigated plots. It is grouped under: Vegetables.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 600 to 900 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 1800 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7. It does well in well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter so okra (bamia) can root deeply and stand well.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 30 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 2.5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 8 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Sow Okra (bamia) directly in the field when soil is warm. Put 2–3 seeds per hole, thin to one strong plant later. Plant slightly deeper in very light soils and a bit shallower in heavy soils.

Transplanting: Okra can be transplanted from small pots or trays, but direct seeding is more common to avoid root damage.

Irrigation: Keep soil moist during germination and early growth. Later, avoid long dry spells at flowering and pod filling. Do not over-irrigate on heavy soils.

Fertigation: Under drip, apply small and frequent doses of NPK. Reduce nitrogen rates once Okra (bamia) is flowering heavily to avoid too much leafy growth at the expense of pods.

Pest scouting: Check Okra twice a week for aphids, whiteflies, fruit borers and leaf spots. Look at the buds, flowers, young pods and underside of leaves.

Pruning: Normally no pruning is needed. Remove heavily damaged leaves and keep the field clean. Stake plants only where wind damage is high.

Harvest: Harvest young tender pods every 2–3 days. Pods should be soft and cut easily with a fingernail. Over-mature pods become hard and reduce further production.

Postharvest: Handle Okra (bamia) gently to avoid bruising. Keep in shade, avoid wetting pods too much and transport to market as soon as possible.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	120 kg/ha	N: 20, P₂O₅: 20, K₂O: 20	Place fertilizer in a small band beside the Okra (bamia) row and cover with soil before sowing.
2	Early topdress	21	CAN 26% N	80 kg/ha	N: 21, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply along the row on moist soil and lightly incorporate.
3	Topdress at flowering	40	Urea 46% N or CAN	50 kg/ha	N: 23, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Apply just before heavy flowering and first pod pickings.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	40	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	40	kg/ha
N	Topdress_early	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_early	20	kg/ha
N	Topdress_flowering	20	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_flowering	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_flowering	20	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Clemson Spineless type	KE	55	Spineless or soft-spined pods, good yield and popular in markets.
Local green Okra (bamia)	KE	60	Traditional type, good taste and tolerant under low inputs.
Red Okra selection	TZ	60	Red pods, attractive in mixed bunches, good for niche markets.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 17-17-17 or 15-15-15	120	Provides balanced nutrients for early Okra (bamia) growth.
Topdress (N source)	CAN 26% N or urea	80	One or two applications depending on crop vigour and rainfall.
Organic	Well-rotted manure or compost	8000	Apply and incorporate before planting to improve soil structure and water holding.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Aphids	pest	Small green or black insects on Okra (bamia) buds and young shoots, causing curled leaves and sticky honeydew.	Avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen, conserve natural enemies and use selective insecticides/biopesticides when populat...
Whiteflies	pest	Tiny white insects on the underside of leaves, causing yellowing and sooty mould on Okra leaves and pods.	Monitor regularly, remove heavily infested leaves and use recommended insecticides when necessary.
Fruit and shoot borers	pest	Entry holes and frass on pods and sometimes in young shoots; damaged pods become bent or rotted.	Remove and destroy infested pods, avoid leaving volunteers in the field and spray targeted insecticides based on thresho...
Spider mites	pest	Fine speckling and bronzing of leaves, with fine webbing in hot, dry periods.	Maintain some humidity, avoid dusty conditions and use recommended miticides or biopesticides if severe.
Powdery mildew	disease	White powdery growth on Okra leaves, leading to yellowing and early leaf drop.	Improve airflow, avoid excessive nitrogen and apply suitable fungicides when needed.
Leaf spots and blights	disease	Brown to dark spots on leaves and sometimes pods, which may join and cause drying of leaf tissue.	Rotate crops, avoid overhead irrigation late in the day and remove badly affected leaves.
Root and stem rots	disease	Wilting, yellowing and rotting at the base of Okra (bamia) stems, especially in waterlogged areas.	Plant on raised beds, ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Backyard / low-input Okra (bamia)	6	3	8	Some manure, little fertilizer and irregular harvesting.
Open-field Okra with good management	12	8	16	Improved variety, recommended fertilizer, regular picking and pest control.
Irrigated / high-input Okra (bamia)	18	12	25	Drip irrigation, fertigation and careful pest and disease management.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
KE	Warm lowland Okra (bamia) areas	Onset of rains or any time with irrigation	First harvest around 7–8 weeks after planting, then frequent pickings.
KE	Peri-urban irrigated belts	Most of the year when temperatures are warm	Extended picking period with regular harvests.
TZ	Coastal and lake basin Okra zones	Warm, wet periods and under irrigation	Multiple harvests over 6–10 weeks.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Peri-urban irrigated Okra (bamia) areas	High
KE	Warm lowlands and mid-altitude vegetable zones	High
TZ	Coastal belt and lake basin	High
UG	Warm lowland smallholder vegetable zones	High