Uganda, May 4 -- Okra also known in its scientific name as Abelmoschus esculentus is an economically important vegetable crop grown in tropical and subtropical parts of the world including Uganda.

Okra sometimes referred to as lady's finger is a native of the tropical parts of Africa.

It belongs to the Mallow family and is a relative of cotton and the tropical flowering hibiscus.

In Uganda most farmers grow it on small scale intercropped with other crops such as beans. However lately the demand for vegetable is growing due to its nutritious and health benefits.

Background

The researchers describe okra as a multipurpose crop due to its various uses of the fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds.

The statistics indicate tha...