GI Registration of Onattukara Sesame: Recognizing a Unique Agricultural Heritage
Description
Onattukara is an agriculturally important tract in the Central Travancore area of Kerala state. This region comprises of Karthikappally and Mavelikkara taluks in Alappuzha district, Karunagappally and parts of Kunnathoor taluks in Kollam district and Pandalam Muncipality in Pathanamthitta district. Onattukara is bounded by Edanad in the East, Arabian sea in the west, Neendakara in the south and Thottapally spillway in the north. This lowland tract lies between 80 55’ 44” to 90 21’ 09” N latitude and 760 23’ 13” to 760 41’ 16” E longitude.
It is a region with humid tropical climate. The weather parameters of the area are given in table 1. The soil type is loamy sand with 83-89% sand, 5% silt and 5.8% clay with a field capacity of 16.05%. The soils contain 0.145% nitrogen, 0.121% phosphorous, 0.0185% potassium, 0.098% calcium and 0.035% magnesium. The soil is porous with low organic matter and nutrients and is acidic in nature. The water holding capacity of this soil is very low. Water logging is a problem during rainy season and the region experiences drought during summer season.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the ancient and traditional annual oilseed crops cultivated in Onattukara region of Kerala, for its quality medicinal seeds and oil. It is grown in the uplands and the summer rice fallows of Onattukara region. Three species of wild sesame were identified viz. Sesamum malabaricum, Sesamum mulayanum and Sesamum radiatum, distributed all over Onattukara which suggests that this area may be the secondary centre of origin of sesame.
Method of Production
Sesame is mainly grown as a summer crop after two crops of paddy or as an intercrop in the coconut garden during late kharif season. The farmers are not applying any chemical fertilizers to this crop and the plant is utilizing the residual moisture and nutrients available in the field. As there is no major pest or disease attacking the crop, no plant protection chemicals are used for this crop. Sesame produced in this tract can be considered as semi organic as it utilizes the left over fertilizers of the previous crop. The peculiar agro ecological condition of this tract which includes coastal climate, loamy sand soil, relatively high temperature occurring during the growth stage of the crop etc. may be reason for its superiority.
After the harvest of the previous rice crop, the field is ploughed twice to make a fine tilth. The soil clods are broken using wooden blocks. The stubbles of the previous rice crop are burnt and ash is applied in the field. The seeds are sown and field is ploughed using a wooden harrow to cover the seed in the soil. After 15-20 days first hoeing is done along with application of ash and cowdung. The second hoeing is done 35-40 days after sowing. During severe summer days, ash is broadcasted on the leaves to reduce transpiration loss by closing the stomatal pores. The plant starts flowering within 45 days. Harvesting is done when the capsules turn yellowish brown. The plants are pulled out, the root portions are cut and stacked in bundles for 3-4 days. When the leaves fall off, it is spread in the sun and beaten with sticks to break open the capsules. The seeds collected during the first day are stored for seed purpose. The oil is extracted using the traditional machine known as ‘Chakku’.
Uniqueness of the Product
The major varieties grown in Onattukara region include Ayali (the traditional cultivar) and other varieties released from ORARS Kayamkulam for cultivation in Onattukara region namely Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara and Thilarani. The major morphological and biochemical parameters of Onattukara sesame is presented in Table 2.
Onattukara sesame oil is preferred by many for making Ayurvedic preparations as it is believed to have high medicinal properties. Sesame oil is a rich source of antioxidants and flavonoids. The antioxidant property of the Onattukara sesame were found to be profoundly high as compared to that of sesame from other regions.
The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) refers to the concentration of a drug, antibody or toxicant which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after a specified exposure time. It is commonly used as a measure of a drug’s potency. It represents the concentration of a compound where 50% of its maximal effect is observed. The lower the EC50, the less the concentration of a drug is required to produce 50% of maximum effect and the higher the potency. The effective concentration (EC50) of the Onattukara sesame ranged from 83 to 144, as against 165-172 obtained for others. This indicates that the quantity of Onattukara sesame seeds or oil required to produce the same effect is lesser and it has high potency
Current Scenario of Onattukara Sesame
A study was conducted during 2023-24 to examine the production costs and efficiency of Onattukara sesame, assess the economics of its marketing, analyse the challenges in sesame production and marketing, and understand farmer’s willingness to register as authorized sub-users of GI by Krishna (2025). The main challenges faced by farmers in Onattukara sesame cultivation were weather related issues, low yield, inadequate availability of seeds, shortage of labour, high price of inputs and pest and disease infestation. In marketing, the major challenged were low prices, followed by price fluctuations, higher demand of oil than seed, delayed payments and lack of an institutional market system.
Psychological and behavioural reasons for farmer’s willingness to register as authorized GI users were analysed, using PLS-SEM. In the light of above study following recommendations were made such as, increasing seed rate, scaling up of production, publicity of uniqueness of Onattukara sesame, awareness for farmers, branding and improved strategies and value addition. These strategies can significantly enhance profitability of sesame production in Onattukara region
Dr. Lovely B.
References
It is a region with humid tropical climate. The weather parameters of the area are given in table 1. The soil type is loamy sand with 83-89% sand, 5% silt and 5.8% clay with a field capacity of 16.05%. The soils contain 0.145% nitrogen, 0.121% phosphorous, 0.0185% potassium, 0.098% calcium and 0.035% magnesium. The soil is porous with low organic matter and nutrients and is acidic in nature. The water holding capacity of this soil is very low. Water logging is a problem during rainy season and the region experiences drought during summer season.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the ancient and traditional annual oilseed crops cultivated in Onattukara region of Kerala, for its quality medicinal seeds and oil. It is grown in the uplands and the summer rice fallows of Onattukara region. Three species of wild sesame were identified viz. Sesamum malabaricum, Sesamum mulayanum and Sesamum radiatum, distributed all over Onattukara which suggests that this area may be the secondary centre of origin of sesame.
Method of Production
Sesame is mainly grown as a summer crop after two crops of paddy or as an intercrop in the coconut garden during late kharif season. The farmers are not applying any chemical fertilizers to this crop and the plant is utilizing the residual moisture and nutrients available in the field. As there is no major pest or disease attacking the crop, no plant protection chemicals are used for this crop. Sesame produced in this tract can be considered as semi organic as it utilizes the left over fertilizers of the previous crop. The peculiar agro ecological condition of this tract which includes coastal climate, loamy sand soil, relatively high temperature occurring during the growth stage of the crop etc. may be reason for its superiority.
After the harvest of the previous rice crop, the field is ploughed twice to make a fine tilth. The soil clods are broken using wooden blocks. The stubbles of the previous rice crop are burnt and ash is applied in the field. The seeds are sown and field is ploughed using a wooden harrow to cover the seed in the soil. After 15-20 days first hoeing is done along with application of ash and cowdung. The second hoeing is done 35-40 days after sowing. During severe summer days, ash is broadcasted on the leaves to reduce transpiration loss by closing the stomatal pores. The plant starts flowering within 45 days. Harvesting is done when the capsules turn yellowish brown. The plants are pulled out, the root portions are cut and stacked in bundles for 3-4 days. When the leaves fall off, it is spread in the sun and beaten with sticks to break open the capsules. The seeds collected during the first day are stored for seed purpose. The oil is extracted using the traditional machine known as ‘Chakku’.
Uniqueness of the Product
The major varieties grown in Onattukara region include Ayali (the traditional cultivar) and other varieties released from ORARS Kayamkulam for cultivation in Onattukara region namely Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara and Thilarani. The major morphological and biochemical parameters of Onattukara sesame is presented in Table 2.
Onattukara sesame oil is preferred by many for making Ayurvedic preparations as it is believed to have high medicinal properties. Sesame oil is a rich source of antioxidants and flavonoids. The antioxidant property of the Onattukara sesame were found to be profoundly high as compared to that of sesame from other regions.
The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) refers to the concentration of a drug, antibody or toxicant which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after a specified exposure time. It is commonly used as a measure of a drug’s potency. It represents the concentration of a compound where 50% of its maximal effect is observed. The lower the EC50, the less the concentration of a drug is required to produce 50% of maximum effect and the higher the potency. The effective concentration (EC50) of the Onattukara sesame ranged from 83 to 144, as against 165-172 obtained for others. This indicates that the quantity of Onattukara sesame seeds or oil required to produce the same effect is lesser and it has high potency
Current Scenario of Onattukara Sesame
A study was conducted during 2023-24 to examine the production costs and efficiency of Onattukara sesame, assess the economics of its marketing, analyse the challenges in sesame production and marketing, and understand farmer’s willingness to register as authorized sub-users of GI by Krishna (2025). The main challenges faced by farmers in Onattukara sesame cultivation were weather related issues, low yield, inadequate availability of seeds, shortage of labour, high price of inputs and pest and disease infestation. In marketing, the major challenged were low prices, followed by price fluctuations, higher demand of oil than seed, delayed payments and lack of an institutional market system.
Psychological and behavioural reasons for farmer’s willingness to register as authorized GI users were analysed, using PLS-SEM. In the light of above study following recommendations were made such as, increasing seed rate, scaling up of production, publicity of uniqueness of Onattukara sesame, awareness for farmers, branding and improved strategies and value addition. These strategies can significantly enhance profitability of sesame production in Onattukara region
Dr. Lovely B.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Genetics & Plant Breeding
College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Thiruvananthapuram 695 522
References
- A. Sreedhara Menon, 1975. Gazetteer of India, Kerala, Alleppey. State editor, Kerala Gazetters, Trivandrum. P 172, 175, 185
- Krishna, K.C. 2025. Economics of production and marketing of sesame in Onattukara region of Kerala. MSc (Ag) Thesis. Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. 154p.
- Sadasyatilaka T.K. Velu Pillai, 1940, The Travancore State Manual, Volume III, Editor-in-charge of State editor, Kerala Gazetteers Department, p 283, 292, 309, 310, 332, 333
- Sadasyatilaka T.K. Velu Pillai, 1940, The Travancore State Manual, Volume I, Editor-in-charge of State editor, Kerala Gazetteers Department, p 200
- Sverup J., Manoj S. Alexander D., Shyam S.K. and K. Rajmohan. 2008. Biodiversity Conservation- Popular lectures. P. 101-104
- V. Nagam Aiya, 1906, The Travancore State Manual, Volume III, Gazetteers Department, Government of Kerala, p 65
Table 1. Weather parameters of the area during the year 2019
Table 2. Major morphological and biochemical parameters of Onattukara Sesame
Fig 1. Sesame field in Onattukara region, Kerala
Fig 2. Onattukara sesame oil
Fig 3. Onattukara Sesame Seeds
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