Cluster front line demonstrations in summer sesamum - Impact on livelihood outcome

Sesamum is an important oilseed crop grown in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh in summer under irrigated conditions for additional income. During 2010-11, the areaunder sesamumcultivation in the district was 699 ha with 135 tonnes of production and 193 kg/ha productivity. In many parts of the district, it was observed that due to lack of knowledge on latest high yielding varieties (HYVs) and integrated crop management (ICM) practices, farmers realized lower yields. Hence, the area under sesamum wasreplaced by short duration pulses such as blackgram and greengram. This resulted in decrease in the area under sesamum in the district. As a result, the area recorded under sesamum cultivation was nil in Krishna district during 2016-17. Pulses can be grown throughout the year, but sesamum is grown only as summer crop in the district. Sesamum is considered as a nutritional powerhouse and a great non-dairy source of calcium. It is an excellent source of calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, and dietary fibre. The crop has its own importance, hence the area under this crop need to be retained.