By Henry Jami Mang’eni
Okra is a rising crop in Kenya, delivering rapid harvests that help farmers cope with erratic rains. But earnings from the crop range from Sh5,000 to Sh745,000, depending on the farmers’ choice of seed and harvest timing.
Sold in kgs at the market, Okra sells for as much as Sh100 a kg during the dry season, but falls as low as Sh15 a kg when the market is oversupplied by farmers harvesting immediately after the rainy season.
This adds a huge premium for farmers who move to drought-resistant seeds that can be harvested earlier or later than the peak harvesting season.
Many of these drought-resistant seeds are also pest resistant and produce much higher yields, with standard seeds producing 3-4 tonnes an acre, while newer, more versatile seeds deliver twice as much, ar 8 tonnes an acre.
The cost of production, arross soil additives and pest control average Sh55,000 per acre.
Below is FarmBizAfrica’s guide to the seeds available in Kenya, their times to harvest, yields, advantages and disadvantages and how to get them for your farm.
Pusa Sawani
Produced by Simlaw, Pusa Sawani is a local Okra variety that grows at low to medium altitudes and was the seed of choice until recently. Many farmers have stayed loyal to the seed, which they are used to, but it’s yields are now the lowest on the market.
From planting to harvesting, it takes 40 – 45 days, and yields 3 – 4 tonnes an acre
Each acre requires 1- 2 kg seed retailing at 1,400/-per kg.
Recommended spacing at planting is 45 x 30 cm.
The variety is known to tolerate aphids and is resistant to Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) and does well in warmer regions.
Pusa sawani is available at local agrovets. It can also be ordered online on platforms that include agroduka (agroduka.com) call or whatsapp 0712723830, jumia (jumia.co.ke) call 0711011011 and jiji (jiji-kenya.go.link). Call on the numbers and then an agent will ask for your email address and phone number and once you order you will be notified by receiving an sms. You will be told where you can collect your product.
OH102
Produced by Syngenta, OH102 is a hybrid variety refered to us dwarf due to its short height compared to the other varieties .It is preferred for the fresh market because it stays fresh for longer after harvesting that other varieties. Its pods are dark green.
It also produces abundantly, with a yield of 8 tonnes an acre.
It is ready to harvest on 60-67 days and requires 1- 4 kg seed which cost 6,000 /-a kilo.
The variety is resistant to Yellow Mosaic Virus, which is a problem for some other Okra, and tolerates drought.
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The seed is available from most local agrovets. It can also be ordered online on platforms that include agroduka (agroduka.com) call or whatsapp 0712723830, jumia (jumia.co.ke) call 0711011011 and jiji (jiji-kenya.go.link). Call on the numbers and then an agent will ask for your email address and phone number and once you order you will be notified by receiving an sms. You will be told where you can collect your product.
OH 2324 F1
This seed is also produced by Syngenta,, as a taller variety That is tolerant to dry conditions. It has deep cut leaves and produces fruits that are smooth and uniform, which are preferred for the export and formal retail market .
It matures in 45 to 50 days, yielding 6 – 8 tonnes per acre and is resistant to YVMV. The seed requirement for one acre is 2.5 kg at 2,800/- per kg
Farmers can get the seed at local agrovets or online, on platforms that include agroduka (agroduka.com) call or whatsapp 0712723830, jumia (jumia.co.ke) call 0711011011 and jiji (jiji-kenya.go.link). Call on the numbers and then an agent will ask for your email address and phone number and once you order you will be notified by receiving an sms. You will be told where you can collect your product.
The plant spacing is 1 m x 30 cm.
Clemson spineless
This seed produced by Seedco has no spines. It tolerates warm conditions and grows to 4 ft and can be harvested almost daily when it is at maturity It is preferred for soup stew
It is disease resistant, especially to the Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV).and gives a yield of 8 tonnes per acre. The variety requires 2.5 kgs to plant 1 acre at a price of 1,600/-a kilo of seed.
The seed is available from local agrovets shops and online with paybill payments on platforms that include agroduka (agroduka.com) call or whatsapp 0712723830, jumia (jumia.co.ke) call 0711011011 and jiji (jiji-kenya.go.link). Call on the numbers and then an agent will ask for your email address and phone number and once you order you will be notified by receiving an sms. You will be told where you can collect your product.
Spaced at 45 x 30 cm.