Hybrid Bhindi Farming Tips: If farmers choose their crops wisely during the winter season, their income can increase manifold. This is the reason why the Agriculture and Horticulture Department is continuously advising farmers to move beyond traditional farming and adopt advanced technology and cash crops. In this context, okra cultivation has emerged as a profitable deal for farmers these days.
Vimal Kumar Sahu, field advisor of the Horticulture Department, says that by cultivating ladyfinger in the cold season, the production is better and the prices are also good in the market. Due to high demand, farmers do not face any problem in selling their crops and regular harvesting ensures steady income.
Hybrid seeds will yield more profits
At present, farmers should choose only hybrid ladyfinger seeds. Hybrid seeds not only give higher yield, but the quality of the fruit also remains better as per the market.
Among the improved varieties of ladyfinger, ‘Radhika’ variety has been said to be especially beneficial. The fruits of this variety are long, soft and attractive, due to which they fetch good prices in the market.
Subsidy will reduce costs
To promote ladyfinger cultivation, the department is also providing subsidy benefits to the farmers. Farmers can get a grant of up to Rs 24 thousand for planting ladyfinger in one acre. For this, it is necessary that the seeds should be purchased only from the agricultural service center registered with the department. It will be mandatory to submit the bills of seeds, fertilizers and medicines to the department. The farmer will be eligible for subsidy in the same proportion to the area in which he cultivates ladyfinger.
These documents are necessary
For subsidy, farmers have to submit photocopies of Aadhar card, PAN card, loan book and bank passbook. After the form is submitted, the department officials do physical verification of the field. A photo of the crop is taken and the report is sent to the district office. After completion of the investigation, the grant is transferred directly to the farmer’s account.
How much cost, how much profit?
The cost of cultivating okra per hectare is approximately Rs 70 thousand, out of which the government provides assistance of up to Rs 24 thousand. By cultivating two and a half acres, production of about 400 quintals is possible. One acre can yield up to 100 quintals.
Negligence in harvesting proved costly
Okra is such a crop, whose harvesting is necessary every other day. If harvesting is not done for 3-4 days, the fruits become hard and the market price falls. Therefore, it is very important to harvest on time. In the end, the agricultural expert suggested the farmers to sow after 15 days due to extreme cold, so that germination is good and the beginning of the crop remains strong.
