Challenges in Sesame Production and Marketing: Insights from Kerala's Onattukara Region, India

Sesame is one of the nine major oilseeds grown in India, with cultivation spread across every state. Although sesame is grown in 11 districts in Kerala, the sesame cultivated in the Onattukara tract has unique characteristics. In Kerala, sesame is cultivated on 326.51 hectares, with a total production of 163.1 tonnes and a productivity rate of 499 kg per hectare. This study aims to analyze the challenges faced by farmers in the production and marketing of sesame in the Onattukara region of Kerala. The districts of Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam were purposively selected for the study, as the Onattukara region is located within these three districts. A total of 163 farmers were included in the sample, comprising eighty farmers each from Kollam and Alappuzha districts and three farmers from Pathanamthitta. Constraints faced by farmers in sesame cultivation were ranked using the Garrett ranking technique. Sesame cultivation in the Onattukara region faces various challenges in both production and marketing, such as inadequate seed availability, high input costs, low yields, labor shortages, low prices, weather-related issues, price fluctuations, delayed payments, low demand for the final product, and the lack of institutional market mechanism. Similarly, sesame processing unit owners also encounter issues in production and marketing, including raw material shortages, a lack of skilled labor, poor raw material quality, costly production methods, lack of support, low product prices, price volatility, inadequate storage facilities, inefficient markets for final products, and limited consumer awareness. A micro-level study on sesame production and marketing would help producers make informed and specific decisions to improve their income. These insights can guide producers in making informed decisions and assist policymakers in implementing corrective measures like resource allocation for inputs, training and capacity building, improving market linkages to enhance sesame production, productivity, and market stability. These interventions, grounded in micro-level data, could substantially support both short-term gains and long-term sustainability in sesame production, demonstrating the practical utility of the research in enhancing both farmers livelihoods and local agricultural policy.