Okra has several health benefits including helping to fight diabetes and assisting pregnant women meet their folate needs but despite Nigeria being the world’s number two producer with an annual crop of 2m tonnes she has not been able to cash in on this

Ayo Akinfe

(1) Nigeria is the world’s number two okra producer with an annual crop of 2m tonnes, behind India, the undisputed number one origin with 6m tonnes. Between them, the two countries dominate global production accounting for over 50% of world supplies

(2) By 2023, it is estimated that the global okra market will be worth about $353m, as the world has begun to appreciate its medicinal and nutritional value

(3) For instance, okra is rich in many nutrients and particularly high in vitamins C and K. It is also a fruit that provides protein, a nutrient that many other fruits and vegetables lack

(4) Okra is also rich in antioxidants that may reduce the risk of serious diseases, prevent inflammation and contributes to overall health. Most notably, okra contains polyphenols that may contribute to heart and brain health

(5) Animal research suggests that okra may bind to cholesterol in the stomach and lower blood cholesterol levels. It is also rich in polyphenols, which fight harmful inflammation and protect the human heart

(6) It does not end there as okra contains a protein called lectin, which is being studied for its role in cancer prevention and treatment

(7) Eating okra has also been linked to blood sugar control. Just imagine the potential this offers in the diabetes market

(8) Very importantly, eating okra may help pregnant women meet their daily folate needs. Folate is important for preventing neural tube defects

(9) Were Nigeria a serious nation, we would have an okra development plan which would include expanding cultivation area, opening processing plants, establishing a research facility and above all seek to manufacture pharmaceutical drugs from okra such as pregnancy assistance pills

(10) Nigeria should have a plan to expand the global okra market to say $600m by 2023, firmly establishing okra as a mainstream pharmaceutical raw material, food additive and nutritional supplement used in food aid packages. Sadly, it will take the drying up of crude oil for Nigeria to start exploiting resources such as this