SESAME MAGIC

Sesame is grown in many parts of the world and the major being India,Myanmar,Sudan,Ethiopia,Uganda & Nigeria In general the paler varieties of Sesame are preferred in West&Middle-east the Black varieties in Far-East Sesame seeds are basically used for breads including burger,salad dressings & sweets More importantly sesame oil is one of the oldest edible oil to be used by the human beings Asia produces 64% of worlds supply of seeds and Africa contributing the balance 31% There is a growing demand for sesame primarily because of its nutritional and medicinal value which has seen a rise in imports to the extent of 88% in the last 15 years worldwide Much of it has been due to China turning from a net exporter to one of the largest importer in addition to USA,Europe ,Korea,Japan & Middle-East. My cooperative GVCL for the first time entered into cultivation of white sesamum in 2006 in Puri district in collaboration with NABARD,has continuously enlarged the cultivation of this minor oilseed. The recent decision to go for cultivation in 3200 acres in Puri &Malkangiri district in PPP mode with Government of Odisha is a move towards a much needed diversification.More importantly this cultivation is being taken up as a third crop,when the lands are generally idle.The good thing about sesame cultivation is very low per acre expenses as compared to other crops,which results in adequate return for the farmers .On an average a farmer can earn upto minimum Rs10000/ per acre and marketability of the produce is good The oil content of sesame is generally high so local crushers can help the farmers get good return on the invested capital The current arrangement with Government of Odisha is free input distribution,training the farmers & more importantly buying the produce from the farmers at MSP . This would at a later point of time lead to commercialization with banks already showing interest for this crop Given the present circumstances this can be another attractive option for the poor farmers of the state.