## 1 Introduction  
In response to changes in the climate which result in prolonged drought and extremely hot temperatures, there is immense pressure on researchers to develop strategies for crop production that are aimed at improving crop adaptation [1]. The organic medium-enclosed trough (OMET) is a growing technique that has been developed to reduce water and nutrient seepage during plant growth [2]. The OMET system uses polyethylene plastic to enclose a specific growth medium in a sandwich manner in such a way that no water or nutrients would escape the plant's rooting zone (40 cm depth) [2]. Black polyethylene plastic much is the standard plastic muld used in crop production. Worldwide, the increased usage of polyethylene mulch is due to its benefits when applied in the field; for example, it increases soil temperature, reduces weed problems, enhances moisture conservation, increases crop yields and leads to the more efficient use of soil nutrients [2].  
Therefore, some of its advantages are similar to plastic mulding which reduces evaporation and creates a modified microclimate for the rooting area [2, 3]. Researchabout such sustainable growing techniques contributes to the resolution of food and nutrition insecurity as the world's population has been estimated to reach 9.7 billion in the year 2050 [4]. Food insecurity is associated with the consumption of an unbalanced diet consisting of primary macro and micronutrients [5]. Macro-nutrients contain nutrients that are required in large quantities (greater than 1 mL) for daily body functioning in comparison to their counterpart: micronutrients [6; 7; 8; 9]. The consumption of any immmoderate contents of these nutrients may lead to health undernourishment [5]. Therefore, food security can be improved by the consumption of diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables, which are known to be rich sources of nutrients. Furthermore, macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids are involved in growth and development, respiration and photosynthesis, and hormone and protein synthesis in plants [10].  
Research has demonstrated the impact of consuming indigenous fruits and vegetables as a potential weapon against malnutrition or diet-related diseases. Oka (_Abelmoschus esculentus_ ([PERSON]), belonging to a Malvaccae botanical family, has been indigenized in African countries, where it is consumed as a relish in daily meals. The consumption of 1 cup of oka pods contains dietary fiber (3.2 g), carbohydrate (91.2 g), protein (2 g) and vitamin C (21.1 mg) [11]. In addition, oka contains noticeable amounts of amino-acid and mineral elements (iron, potassium, and calcium) [12]. Hypothetically, oka grown on the OMET growing technique can be a good source of nutrients to alleviate hidden hunger and malnutrition. Oka is a tropical to subtropical crop which is negatively affected by droughs [13]. In response to this challenge, extensive research has focused on cropping systems such as mulching with different materials to reduce the evaporation of irrigation water [14; 15; 16].  
Yet, reports on the enhancement of the nutritional composition of oka using a sustainable cultivation practice in the disposal of lower irrigations are relatively few. In this study, oka was grown on the OMET technique to investigate the rate of improvement in the yield and possible nutrient enhancement. OMET growing techniques are a new cropping technique that should be evaluated for its efficacy in improving the nutritional composition before being recommended to the farming industry. In addition, there is also no comprehensive literature regarding the characteristics of the nutritional composition produced from the leaves and pods grown under the OMET system. Therefore, the objective of this study was based on the evaluation of the OMET growth technique on growth, yield and some nutritional compositions in oka pods and leaves.