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Despite the drop in yield level of gingelly seeds (sesame), primarily due to non-availability of quality seeds, followed by pest attack and labour shortage, farm varsity sources do not foresee any big improvement in the price level. Researchers are advising farmers to sell gingelly immediately on harvest to avoid loss.
The Thai Pattam (Jan-Feb) sown crop is under harvest and arrivals is said to have started. Farmers normally get 350-400 kg yield of gingelly seed per acre in irrigated area. But this season, the yield is said to have dropped to 240-300 kg a acre.
The Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) functioning at TNAU foresees prices of gingelly seed to range between Rs 44 and Rs 49 a kg in May-June. Researchers state that there would be no scope for further increase in prices this season.
The crop is grown in an area of about 0.63 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu around Erode, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Karur, Cuddalore, Thoothukudi and Salem in two seasons – Thai Pattam (Jan -Feb) and Adi Pattam (July-August).
The average yield hovers around 500-plus kg/hectare and the annual production at over 0.30 lakh tonnes.
India and China dominate in production of gingelly seeds. The global gingelly seed trade is estimated at 5-6 lakh tonnes a year.
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