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Gujarat Leads India’s Okra Production in 2024–25; Saurashtra–Kutch Key Region
Gujarat emerges as India’s leading producer of okra in 2024–25, leading in both area under cultivation and overall production. The Saurashtra-Kutch region accounts for nearly 15% of okra cultivated area and about 13% of total okra production in Gujarat.
Okra (Lady’s finger/Bhendi) & Gujarat Horticulture:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Current trigger (2024–25) | Gujarat provides for the leading position in India’s okra production in 2024–25. |
| Common names | Lady’s finger, Bhendi, Bhindi. |
| Scientific name | Abelmoschus esculentus. |
| Plant family | Malvaceae. |
| Plant type and origin | Annual plant, Ethiopia. |
| Nutrient profile | Vitamins, protein, calcium and other minerals. |
| Climate requirement | Warm, tropical and subtropical climates; it needs warm, humid conditions with temperatures 20–35°C and avoids frost. |
| Soil requirement | Sandy loam to clay loam with rich organic matter and better drainage facilities. |
| Harvesting | Within 60–70 days after sowing; tender fruits are picked regularly. |
| Major disease | Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) is a main threat; it is spread by whiteflies; resistant varieties are used. |
| Common pests | Fruit borer, jassids, aphids, and whiteflies. |
| Popular varieties | Arka Anamika, Pusa Sawani, Varsha Uphar, Parbhani Kranti. |
| India’s global position | Nearly 70% of global production. |
| Top okra producing states in India | Gujarat (leading), followed by Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Saurashtra–Kutch share | Nearly 15% of cultivated area and about 13% of total okra production. |
| Global okra production leaders | Globally led by India, followed by Nigeria, Mali, Sudan, and Bangladesh. |
| Gujarat horticulture output (2024–25) | Horticulture drives Gujarat’s farm growth and contributed 7.66% of India’s vegetable output in 2024–25. |
| Horticulture land share (Gujarat) | Nearly 20% of Gujarat’s farmland grows horticulture. |
| Saurashtra–Kutch horticulture output | Saurashtra–Kutch yields 47.91 lakh tonnes of horticulture output. |
| Policy support | Policy support comprises several State incentive schemes along with Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM). |
| Focus areas | Area-based cluster farming, protected cultivation, cold-chain and storage, quality planting material, and farmer training. |