A farmer from Bihar's Jamui district, Sakendra Yadav, has managed to double his earnings by growing okra together with cucumber and peas on the same field. He says okra is a vegetable that matures quickly, with the first harvest ready roughly 45 to 55 days after sowing. After that, the plant keeps yielding continuously for several weeks, giving farmers a steady source of income.
What else can be grown alongside okra
According to Sakendra Yadav, one of the biggest advantages of okra farming is that it can easily be combined with other vegetables in the same plot. He says he has personally grown several different vegetables alongside okra on his own field. Farmers who want to try this can plant cucumber, peas, ridge gourd (nenua) and beans along with okra, allowing a single field to yield multiple crops and boosting overall profit.
Cucumber and okra need almost the same conditions
Sakendra Yadav explains that both cucumber and okra need fertile soil and adequate water, which makes it convenient to grow them together. However, since cucumber vines spread out widely, enough space must be left between the two crops so that the okra plants continue to get full sunlight and their growth is not affected.
Peas naturally boost nitrogen in the soil
Sakendra Yadav says peas naturally increase the nitrogen content of the soil, which reduces the need for chemical nitrogen fertilisers and brings down overall farming costs. He adds that a few precautions are essential during this season's mixed cropping to ensure a good yield.
Key precautions for a good harvest
Sakendra Yadav says that for a healthy okra yield, the field must have proper drainage so water does not accumulate, and only certified seeds should be used for sowing. He also stresses regular weeding and hoeing, along with constant monitoring for pests and diseases, so that any damage can be prevented before it spreads.
