Kerala to expand farming of GI-tagged Onattukara sesame

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Last Updated21/11/2023

Efforts are being made to expand the cultivation of geographical indication (GI)-tagged Onattukara sesame

Authorities have announced an incentive scheme for growing sesame on fields and homesteads in the Thekkekara Krishi Bhavan limits.
Financial assistance of ₹40 for a cent of land would be given to farmers for cultivating sesame.
The seeds would be distributed from Thekkekara Krishi Bhavan and the sesame produced under the scheme would be procured by the OVA paying the market price.
It aims to increase the area under sesame cultivation.
Individuals, farming collectives, Kudumbashree groups, self-help groups, and joint liability groups will be given incentives for conducting sesame cultivation
Onattukara sesame is currently grown on around 600 hectares spread across 43 local bodies in three districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta.
The OVA, the registered owner of the GI-tagged sesame, plans to increase the area under sesame cultivation in the region to 2,000 hectares.
An analysis by Kerala Agricultural University revealed that the oilseeds have added medicinal value.
Compared to other places, sesame grown in the region contains high levels of Vitamin E and antioxidants.
It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid and so on which help maintain good health.
Besides the traditional Ayali variety, farmers in the region are cultivating Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara and Thilarani varieties — all developed by the ORARS.