Agricultural Story #6

Okra is planted in different countries and is also used to make delicious soup. Yoruba and Igbo people in Nigeria plant okra seeds in their backyard, pour water on the plant in the morning and evening. They engage in these activities to support their families.

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Okra is the most common plant in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Many tribes in my country love to cook okra in a form of soup, and most of the time they usually eat it with swallow. This plant is also called lady fingers in English-speaking countries and belongs to the kingdom of Plantae. Okra is said to have originated in Ethiopia and later spread to other countries such as Brazil, America, Egypt, and other European countries.

Farmers cultivate this plant annually, mostly during the rainy season. The white seeds are put in the soil, and after the next two months, the first harvest will occur, where farmers will bring their farm products to the market for sale. The common disease that affects okra leaves, causing them to turn yellow, is known as verticillium wilt.

This plant is low in calories but it contains a lot of nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin C supports our immune system to function at a normal level. It has a huge amount of antioxidants that help us fight cancer-causing free radicals that can damage human cells. It also has Vitamin K. This plant is useful to our bodies because many people choose it as one of their favorite soups. Okra improves our brain to function effectively and helps us to escape from radicals that may damage our brain cells.

Okra is always found in Nigerian markets because Nigeria is one of the largest okra producers in the world. Some people often use this plant raw, while others use it as medicine by soaking it in water and drink it with empty stomach.

Many countries in Africa, such as Senegal and the Republic of Guinea, have different ways of preparing okra soup that tastes nice and unique. I would like to invite @rossnenye, @wuddi and @hisgeneral to come and join me in this contest.

Thanks for reading through my post