HAWAII, Aug 20: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anjaw, conducted On-Farm Trials (OFTs) on okra over the last two years to identify its suitability and performance under diversified agro-climatic conditions in Anjaw district.
The trials were conducted at 15 villages such as Kaho, Kibithoo, Chota Kundan, Bada Kundan, Musai, Amliang, Nenuliang, Supliang, Tafraliang, Hoiliang, Metengliang, Swami Camp, Dhanbari, Chipru and Thamptong covering a total of 50 farmers, including farm women and rural youths from different locations and farming situations across the district.
Three okra varieties - Arka Nikita, Kashi Chaman and a locally available commercial one - were evaluated under farmers’ field conditions. The performance of these varieties was assessed based on important parameters such as earliness (first picking start at 43-45 days after sowing), yield (21 to 24 t/ha), disease tolerance (yellow bean mosaic virus) and overall adaptability under local environmental conditions.
Among the three varieties, Arka Nikita (IIHR, Bengaluru) recorded overall supreme performance across different trials at different locations. The variety showed early maturity, higher yield potential and better adaptability under the prevailing agro-climatic conditions of the district. It also exhibited a good tolerance to major diseases, making it a promising variety for cultivation among local farmers.
The consistent performance of Arka Nikita at different locations demonstrates its suitability under diverse growing conditions. Further, the variety can also provide an avenue for income enhancement, achieve higher productivity and opportunities for livelihood improvement to some extent.
Based on the results of the On-Farm Trials and farmers’ feedback, KVK, Anjaw recommends Arka Nikita as a promising okra variety for horizontal expansion of the technology for its adoption at different locations of the district. The demonstration of improved varieties through OFTs is expected to strengthen vegetable production, enhance farm income and encourage farmers to adopt improved horticultural technologies.
Dr Debasis Sasmal, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Anjaw, encouraged wider promotion of Arka Nikita among farmers due to its early maturity, high yield potential and adaptability to local conditions.
Satveer Yadav, SMS (Horticulture), also emphasized farmers to adopt the promising variety along with recommended production practices for higher productivity and better economic returns.
KVK, Anjaw says it will continue to promote suitable vegetable varieties and improved production technologies through frontline demonstrations, training programmes and awareness for sustainable horticultural development in the district.