Sesame output likely to fall 40% due to unfavourable climate

India’s sesame seed output is likely to decline by a staggering 40 per cent this year due to crop damage caused initially by pre-season showers followed by water-logging from excessive rainfalls.

A survey conducted by the apex trade body Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exports Promotion Council (IOPEPC), under the commerce ministry, showed India’s sesame seed output at 366,278 tonnes this year compared to 607,755 tonnes last year.

Sesame seed, largely a kharif crop, is sown ahead of the monsoon rainfalls in April-May for harvesting in October-December.

“Sesame crop was damaged this year because of pre-season rainfalls as sown seeds could not germinate due to excessive soil moisture. In some areas, however, full-grown plants submerged into the water due to flood and water logging. Thus, yields were affected in most places especially in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh,” said a senior official of IOPEPC.

The survey was organised by IOPEPC in partnership with nine state agricultural universities and conducted between September and October. Traders fear that lower output of sesame seed might support massive price rise. Used as a food supplement, an exorbitant price rise of sesame seed might push the costs of food items such as pizza and snacks.

According to the survey, Rajasthan would claim its leadership in sesame seed production with 89,299 tonnes followed by Gujarat with 8,6781 tonnes. Madhya Pradesh with 64,220 tonnes of output will claim the third position.

IOPEPC, however, estimated a sharp increase in the output of groundnut. According to its estimate, India’s groundnut output might increase by 29 per cent to 6.69 million tonnes (mt) this kharif-harvesting season compared to 5.19 mt in the corresponding season last year.

Favourable monsoon rainfalls, coupled with supportive agro-climatic condition, are expected to boost groundnut output in India this year.

The survey estimates Gujarat to lead with 3.13 mt of groundnut output this year, followed Rajasthan with 1.58 mt.

The increase in groundnut output might help control edible oil prices, said a trader. India exports 1.5 mt million of groundnut largely to Asia and Far East countries.