About Okra
Okra (bhindi) is one of India's favourite vegetables and an important fresh export to the UK, Europe and the Gulf. India is the world's largest producer.
Where Okra Is Grown in Madhya Pradesh
The main okra districts of Madhya Pradesh are Indore, Jabalpur, Chhindwara. Madhya Pradesh is India's soybean state and one of its largest producers of wheat, chana, masoor, urad, garlic, coriander and isabgol. The Malwa plateau around Indore, Ujjain and Neemuch and the Narmada valley around Hoshangabad are its richest farm regions.
Season in Madhya Pradesh
Summer (Feb–Mar sowing) and kharif (Jun–Jul). Exact arrival dates in Madhya Pradesh depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Okra Is Sold in Madhya Pradesh
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Wheat and other crops are bought by state agencies at MSP, and MP has run price-deficiency schemes for some crops.
Other major markets in Madhya Pradesh
- IndoreSoybean, wheat, chana, onion, potatoAboutExplore
- Neemuch and MandsaurGarlic, seed spices, herbsAboutExplore
- Ujjain and DewasSoybean, wheatAboutExplore
- Harda and PipariyaSummer moongAboutExplore
- Vidisha and SehoreChana, Sharbati wheatAboutExplore
State Agencies in Madhya Pradesh
Okra has no minimum support price, so it is bought almost entirely by private traders, processors and exporters. State marketing bodies regulate the markets and support farmer producer organisations.
- MP State Agricultural Marketing Board (Mandi Board)Regulated marketsAboutExplore
- MP State Civil Supplies CorporationWheat procurementAboutExplore
- MP MARKFEDCooperative marketingAboutExplore
- MP Warehousing and Logistics CorporationStorageAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Okra is cooked fresh in every Indian region, and is also frozen, dried and pickled by processors. Exporters pack tender pods in cartons and send them by air to the UK, the Netherlands and the Gulf, and by reefer container to nearby markets.
Export okra must be 7–10 cm long, straight, tender (the tip should snap), dark green and free from borer holes. Domestic buyers are less strict but still prefer young pods. Picking every two or three days is essential, because pods become fibrous quickly.
Okra is cheap in summer and the early monsoon when supply is heavy, and dearer in winter. Virus outbreaks and heavy rain in key growing districts can cause short spikes.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export okra across India, including from Madhya Pradesh. Tap a name for details.
- KB Exports Pvt LtdMumbai · fresh fruit and vegetable exporter (KayBee)AboutExplore
- Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company LtdNashik · farmer-owned FPO; fruits and vegetablesAboutExplore
- Ninjacart (63 Ideas Infolabs Pvt Ltd)Bengaluru · B2B fresh produceAboutExplore
- BigBasket (Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt Ltd)Online groceryAboutExplore
- APEDAExport promotion, residue monitoring and registrationAboutExplore
- Namdhari Seeds Pvt LtdBengaluru · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- East-West Seed India Pvt LtdAurangabad / Bengaluru · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- VNR Seeds Pvt LtdRaipur · vegetable seedsAboutExplore
- Syngenta India Pvt LtdVegetable seedsAboutExplore
- Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Pvt Ltd)Jalna · vegetable hybridsAboutExplore
- Indo-American Hybrid Seeds (India) Pvt LtdBengaluru · vegetable and flower seedsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Madhya Pradesh
New varieties, crop advice and seed for okra growers in Madhya Pradesh come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaJabalpurAboutExplore
- Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa VidyalayaGwaliorAboutExplore
Okra in Other States
Gujarat · West Bengal · Bihar · Odisha · Jharkhand · Andhra Pradesh · Maharashtra
Related: Okra – all India · Madhya Pradesh · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer