Process of Sesame Seed From Farm to Consumption

• Indian Exports are distributed over a large number of countries.
• Japan, which imports 20% of the global trade, does not feature in its major markets.
• The top 3 countries account for 27% of exports.
• At the bottom miscellaneous exports account for 35%.
• There is an equitable distribution of demand in the major markets.
• The fastest growing markets are Korea Republic ( South ), Turkey, Germany and Greece.
• Markets where we have declined are China and Mexico.
• For the purpose of long term and profitable growth the council has identified the following as the focus markets.
  • Japan
  • Korea Republic
  • USA
  • China & Taiwan
  • EU Nations
  • Canada

Key Issues and Concerns

Fluctuating yield per hectare and inconsistent quality.

• Presence of pesticide residue in Indian Sesame Seeds — a reason for rejection and poor image in the international market.
• No substantial efforts to cater to the growing international market of organic or non-chemically cultivated Sesame Seeds.

Export Market of Sesame and India's Role in it

World Scenario India ranks first in the area however as per 2006 data it comes after China in production of Sesame Seeds in the world. During the year 2007 however, India leads world in sesame production. India’s contribution to the production of Sesame Seeds in the world is 18.8% in 2006-07. Other major sesame producing countries are China (19.9%), Myanmar (17.3%), Sudan (5.9%), Uganda (4.9%), Nigeria (2.9%), Pakistan (0.8%), Ethiopia (4.7%) and Bangladesh (1.4%). The productivity of sesame in India is 0.33 tons/ha compared to world average of 0.44 tons/ha in the year 2006-07. Source: FAOSTAT

Major Producing States

Gujarat is the leading sesame producing state contributing 22.3% of total production, followed by West Bengal (19.2%), Karnataka (13.5%), Rajasthan (9.8%), Madhya Pradesh (9.06%), Tamil Nadu (4.7%), Andhra Pradesh (4.52%) and Maharashtra (4.52%).

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

Adoption of improved varieties.Integrated nutrient & water management.Integrated pest and disease management.

Distribution of Produce From Primary to Terminal Market

• Sesame Seeds from the state of Gujarat are distributed to Delhi, Mumbai etc for export/domestic consumption.
• The Sesame Seeds from the markets of Andhra Pradesh are dispatched to markets of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka states.
• Sesame Seeds grown in West Bengal state are distributed to consumer markets within the state and in states of Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh etc.

Exports and Export Potential

• India is the largest producer of sesame in the world.
• There is good research support for sesame from ICAR Research Coordinating Centre on Sesame, Jabalpur, IARI, New Delhi and SAUs located in different regions of the country to provide solutions to various problems in its cultivation.
• APEDA has sanctioned Agri-Export Zone in Gujarat covering Amreli, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Rajkot and Jamnagar districts.
• India has bred high yeilding cultivars and has been made available to cultivators.