CHAPTER – 11
OKRA 1. Introduction Okra ( Abelmoschus 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) COUNTRY
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.
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Table 11.2: Area, production and productivity of okra in India YEAR
AREA (000’ha) 347.2 329.2 353.1 357.3 376.1
2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
PRODUCTION (000’tons) 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
Source: Indian Horticulture Database, 2006
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
AREA (000’ha) 2003-04
PRODUCTION (000’tons)
PRODUCTIVITY (tons/ha)
2004-05
2005-06
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
West Bengal
62.5
63.7
65.8
652.8
677.3
718.9
10.4
10.6
10.9
Bihar
58.0
56.2
56.2
928.7
730.2
714.1
16.0
13.0
12.7
Orissa
71.4
71.4
71.4
619.4
619.7
618.8
8.7
8.7
8.7
Gujarat
26.4
36.0
41.0
183.3
299.1
350.3
6.9
8.3
8.5
Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarh
28.5
24.1
25.6
228.1
301.2
332.7
8.0
12.5
13.0
10.3
18.1
102.4
184.7
10.2
29.0
160.5
182.7
Not available 6.2
10.0
27.6
Not available 169.2
5.8
6.3
Maharashtra
Not available 27.5
Assam
9.5
9.6
9.6
119.2
120.0
119.7
12.5
12.5
12.5
Uttar Pradesh
6.4
8.3
8.8
89.4
100.0
110.2
14.0
12.0
12.5
12.8
12.7
14.0
85.6
100.0
93.7
6.7
7.9
6.7
7.1
7.5
7.7
59.8
60.8
63.2
8.4
8.1
8.2
Others
43.0
30.0
28.9
495.9
241.2
194.9
11.5
8.0
6.7
Total
353.1
357.3
376.1
3,631.4
3,512.4
10.28
9.83
Haryana Karnataka
Source: Indian Horticulture Database, 2006
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3,684.0
9.80
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
Seed company
Sobha
Nath Seeds
Sungrow 35
Sungrow
Vaishali
Indo-American Hybrid Seeds
Vijay
Indo-American Hybrid Seeds
Adhunik
Century Seeds
Pancholi
Century Seeds
Hybrid 64
Mahyco
Azad Kranti
Beejo Sheetal
Varsha Uphar
HAU
Co3(Hybrid 8)
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
-Peak Period MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
- Throughout Year JUL
AUG
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
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SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
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
Districts (markets)
Andhra Pradesh
Kurnool
Bihar
Vaishali, Nalanda, Muzzafarpur, Begu Sarai
Gujarat
Surat, Vadodara, Junagarh
Karnataka
Bagalkot, Mandya, Belgaum, Haveri, Bangalore, Bijapur
Maharashtra
Nasik, Pune, Thane
Orissa
Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Mayurbhanj, Bolangir, Ganjem, Kalahandi,
West Bengal
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
Kurnool
Emmiganuru, Kappagalu, Alur, Adoni, Atmakpur, Pattikonda, Dhone, Koilkuntla, Banganpalli, Allagadda
Bihar
Muzaffarpur
Sahebganj, Baruraj, Hursepur, Minapur, Kanti, Paru-I, Paru-II, Kurhani, Sacra, Dholi, Bochacha, Gaihati, Katra, Aurai.
Vaishali
Kalyanpur, Lalganj, Goraul, Raghopur, Mahnai, Patepur.
Begusarai
Cheria, Beriarpur, Bakhri, Bhagwanpur, Bachwara, Barauni, Matihani, Surjagarh
Gujarat
Surat
Mangrol,Umarwada,Mandvi,Vyara,Valod,Mahuva,Palsana,Kam rej,Olpad,Nizer,Vadoli,Unal.
Karnataka
Bagalkot
Jamkhandi,Mudhol,Hungund,Badami.
Bijapur
Indi,Sindgi,Basavna Bagevadi,Muddebihal,Tikota.
Belgaum
Athni,Arkali,Chikodi,Mukeri,Bailhongal,Ramdurg,Khauapur.
Bangalore
Amekal,Sonnenahalti,Kannur,Bagalur,Nagarur,Marangondahalli 123
Mahuwa,
Desri,
Bidepur,
,Haralur,Mantapa,Solurur,Chandapur. Maharashtra
Orissa
West Bengal
Nasik
Kalvan,Peint,Igatpuri,Sinnar,Niphad,Yeola,Nandgaon,Satara, Furgana,Dindori,Melgaon,
Pune
Junnar, Ambegaon, Ghod, Rajgurunagar, Wadgaonsirur, Mulshi, Welhe, Purandhar, Bhor, Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Saswad
Sundergarh
Hemagiri, Banel, Panposh, Raj Gangpur,
Mayurbhanj
Baripada, Rairangpur, Karanjia, Udala, Betnoti
Kalahandi
Dharamgarh, Bhawanipatna, Lanjigarh, Jayapatna
Murshidabad
Suti, Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Lalgola, Bbhagwangola, Sagardighi, Jiaganj, Lalbagh, Domkal, Bahranpur, Hariharpura, Belaanga, Nawada ,Bharatpura, Barwan, Khargram
Nadia
Karimpur, Tehata, Kaliganj, Nakasipara, Chapra, Krishnanagar, Shantipur, Ranaghat, Chakdaha, Kalyani.
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.
1.
Specification
Slide Type 5-ply CFB
Ring *Flap Tuck-In-Type 5-ply CFB
RSC(regular slotted container) 5-ply CFB
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
Tray with LID 5-ply CFB
*230X140 X140X140 Min. 10.00 Min..250 Min.350 Max.130
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 January
1800
February
1600
March April
1400
) l t 1200 Q / s 1000 R ( 800 e c i r 600 P
May June July August September
400
October November
200 0
December Delhi
Pune
Kolkata
Chennai
Bangalore
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
Value(in Rs. Lakhs) 4796.9 3724.1 4798.7 4522.8 12830.1
Export of mixed vegetables in last five years 60000 50000 s n o 40000 t n i y 30000 t i t n a 20000 u Q 10000 0
3 0 0 2 2 0 0 2
4 0 0 2 3 0 0 2
5 0 0 2 4 0 0 2
6 0 0 2 5 0 0 2
7 0 0 2 6 0 0 2
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 rd (almost 1/3 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
:
7.5 -10°C
Relative Humidity
:
90-95%
Storage period
:
1-2 weeks
14. Documents required for exports a) Documents related to goods
a) Invoice
b) Packing List
c) Certificate of origin
b) Documents related to shipment
a) Mate Receipt
b) Shipping Bill
c) Bill of handing
d) Airway Bill
c) Documents related to Payment
a) Letter of Credit (L/C)
b) Bill of Exchange
d) Documents related to quality of goods
a) Phytosanitary Certificate
b) GLOBALGAP Certification
c) Health 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
127
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
Annual Average price Range Currency
Dubai
USD/kg INR/kg
(2003-08)
1.77 80.0
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
Rs./kg
Precooling and cold storage
4.0
Handling and Packing cost
5.0
Transportation charge to Mumbai Airport
8.0 17.0
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
Weight : All Weight Group
DEL/ LON
+300
+500
+1000 Kgs
A/F
INR 70.00
INR 66.00
INR 60.00
Surcharge
INR 11.50
INR 11.50
INR 11.50
B. Air Freight Charges – Amsterdam INR/KG
Weight : All Weight Group
DEL/ AMS
+300
+500
+1000 Kgs
A/F
INR 75.00
INR 70.00
INR 66.00
Surcharge
INR 11.50
INR 11.50
INR 11.50
C. Air Freight Charges – Dubai All Weight Group DEL/Dubai A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB
+45
+100
+250
+300
+500
+1000
INR 74/Kg
INR 62/Kg
INR 50/Kg
INR 50/Kg
INR 42/Kg
INR 42/Kg
INR 40/Kg
INR 40/Kg
INR 40/Kg
INR 40/Kg
Rs. 750 per AWB
129
D. Air Freight Charges – Doha All Weight Group DEL/Doha A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB
+45
+100
+250
+300
+500
+1000
INR 75/Kg
INR 65/Kg
INR 55/Kg
INR 55/Kg
INR 45/Kg
INR 45/Kg
INR 35/Kg
INR 35/Kg
INR 35/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 F.
+45
+100
+250
+300 INR 50/Kg
+500 INR 45/Kg
+1000 INR 45/Kg
INR 75/Kg
INR 60/Kg
INR 50/Kg INR 35/Kg INR 35/Kg Rs. 750 per AWB
INR 35/Kg
INR 35/Kg
Air Freight Charges – Singapore All Weight Group
DEL/Singapore A/F (SCR General)
+45
+100
+250
+300
+500
+1000
INR 88/Kg
INR 63/Kg
INR 63/Kg
INR 44/Kg
INR 39/Kg
INR 39/Kg
Rs. 750 per AWB
AWB
G. Air Freight Charges – Kuala Lampur All Weight Group DEL/ Kuala Lumpur A/F (SCR General) A/F (SCR 0006) AWB
+45
+100
+250
+300
+500
+1000
INR 70/Kg
INR 63/Kg
INR 63/Kg
INR 55/Kg
INR 53/Kg
INR 53/Kg
INR 45/Kg
INR 45/Kg
INR 38/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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