Lucrative ladies’ fingers attract farmers to grow all year round

The farmers from Wuntho and Kawlin townships, Sagaing Region grow the profitable ladies’ fingers (Okra) throughout the entire year as it allows them to have daily healthy income.
“The okra is spaced six feet apart in cultivation. The plants grown from the seeds give more benefits — the input costs over K300,000, including fertilizer, seeds, pesticide and ploughing.
“The plants steadily produce in tropical weather. The yield of the okra is lower in the winter,” said a grower Ko Maung Tun from Oatpho village.
“The ladies’ fingers can be plucked in three months of cultivation during winter. In summer, it is marketable two months after cultivation.
“They can be harvested every two days. An acre daily produces about 15,000 ladies’ fingers. We hire two workers at K2,000 a day. It can be harvested for up to four months.
“At present, the farmers receive daily income of over K50,000.
“As it is profitable, the farmers grow them all year round,” said a grower Daw Ni from Thabyay village.
The neighbouring villages of Thabyay village-Magyeegon, Zeephyupin, Gwaygyi, Latpangyitaw, Oakpho, Thayataik, Shansu, Seinle, Thabyaythar, Aunggon and Kyaingkhwin are relying on Daungmyoo and from irrigation.
During winter and summer, farmers commonly grow chilli, cucumber, onion, corn, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, cauliflower, cabbage and tomato, whereas the majority of the farmers choose ladies’ fingers for monsoon season as they can be successfully grown even in the heavy rainfall areas. — Myint Tun /Ko Aungthu Ya (Kawlin)/GNLM