Misrilal Rajput, a farmer from Madhya Pradesh has grown a highly profitable variety of okra in his garden. Red okra sells for as much as Rs 800/Kg in the market. It is worth 5 to 7 times more than the regular variety of okra.
We have brought to you his complete story together with everything you need to know about red okra cultivation.
What is Red Okra?
Red okra refers to all varieties of okra whose pods are red in colour. Anthocyanin, a natural plant pigment, gives this colour to the plant. However, the colour is lost when red okra is being cooked – that time it turns into a brownish-green colour.
What are the Health Benefits of Red Okra?
Red Okra has several health benefits. It is very rich in Vitamin A and B, folacin, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Red okra does not contain fat or cholesterol. Because of its high nutrient content, red okra is said to:
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Improve eyesight
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Increase RBC count
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Lower cholesterol
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Control diabetes
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Aid in weight loss
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Boost immunity
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Make skin clear and smooth
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Relieve constipation
The Story of Misrilal Rajput
Rajput is from the Khajuri Kalan area in Madhya Pradesh. He started his journey with just 1 kg of seeds he bought from an agricultural research facility in Varanasi. He sowed the seeds in the first week of July. After 40 days, the crop started to grow. Rajput also mentioned that throughout the cultivation of red okra, he did not use any pesticide. Rajput claims that 40-50 quintals of red okra could be grown in one acre of land. If the yield is good, one acre could produce as much as 70-80 quintals.
Cost of Red Okra
He further said that this variety of okra is 5-7 times more expensive than regular okra. Some malls sell it for Rs 75-80 per 250 gram/500 gram or Rs 300-400 per 250 gram/500 gram.
