Sesame:
According to a pre-sowing price forecast by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) prices of good-quality black sesame are likely to rule at ₹140-145 a kg during the harvest season.
- Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is the oldest indigenous oilseed crop in India.
- It is a primordial oilseed crop since the remnants of sesame seeds were discovered at Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
- It can be cultivated up to the latitude of 1600m (India 1200 m).
- Normally the optimum temperature required during its life cycle is between 25-35 degrees celsius.
- If the temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius with hot winds the oil content reduces.
- Sesame can be grown on a wide range of soils, however well drained light to medium textured soils are preferred. It does best on sandy loams with adequate moisture.
- It thrives in the semi-arid climate of Western India, Central, Eastern and Southern part of India including lower Himalayas.
- It is cultivated during Kharif in arid and semi-arid tropics and rabi/summer in cooler areas.
- The crop is grown in almost all parts of the country. More than 85% production of sesame comes from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Sesame oil is excellent from a medicinal point of view. It contains antioxidants, and it is perfect for heart patients.
