About Sesame
Sesame (til, gingelly) is a high-value oilseed. India is among the largest exporters of sesame seed, and gingelly oil is the traditional cooking oil of Tamil Nadu.
Where Sesame Is Grown in West Bengal
The main sesame districts of West Bengal are Purba Medinipur, Hooghly, Nadia, Murshidabad. West Bengal is among India's largest rice producers and its biggest grower of jute and vegetables. It is also a major producer of potato, mustard, masoor, sesame, tuberose, marigold, Malda mangoes, litchi and Darjeeling tea.
Season in West Bengal
Kharif in most states; summer crop in Gujarat and West Bengal. Exact arrival dates in West Bengal depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Sesame Is Sold in West Bengal
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Paddy is bought through the state's procurement centres and cooperative societies.
Other major markets in West Bengal
- Mullick Ghat, KolkataFlowersAboutExplore
- Koley Market, KolkataVegetablesAboutExplore
- Posta Bazar, KolkataPulses, grainsAboutExplore
- Hooghly (Tarakeswar, Singur)PotatoAboutExplore
- MaldaMangoAboutExplore
Government Buying in West Bengal
MSP announced. In West Bengal, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- West Bengal State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- West Bengal Food and Supplies DepartmentPaddy procurementAboutExplore
- Jute Corporation of IndiaKolkata · raw jute buyingAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Natural sesame is graded by purity (99/1, 98/2 and so on), colour and free fatty acid content; hulled sesame by whiteness and purity (often 99.95 per cent). Export lots are tested for salmonella and pesticide residues, and must be steam-sterilised for many buyers.
Indian sesame prices follow the size of the Gujarat and West Bengal crops, competition from African suppliers such as Sudan and Nigeria, and demand from China, Korea, Japan and the Middle East. Rain damage at harvest causes discoloured seed and lower prices.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export sesame across India, including from West Bengal. Tap a name for details.
- Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA)Mumbai · edible oil and oilmeal industry body; publishes import and export dataAboutExplore
- Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)Export promotion for groundnut, sesame and other oilseedsAboutExplore
- National Mission on Edible Oils – OilseedsGovernment mission to raise oilseed output and cut importsAboutExplore
Research and Advice in West Bengal
New varieties, crop advice and seed for sesame growers in West Bengal come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Bidhan Chandra Krishi ViswavidyalayaMohanpur, NadiaAboutExplore
- Uttar Banga Krishi ViswavidyalayaCooch BeharAboutExplore
Sesame in Other States
Gujarat · Rajasthan · Madhya Pradesh · Uttar Pradesh · Odisha · Tamil Nadu
Related: Sesame – all India · West Bengal · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer