4 days ago
UP offers subsidy on seeds, training to farmers to promote sesame cultivation
Lucknow: The state govt said on Friday that it was actively promoting sesame (til) cultivation across the state.
"By offering subsidies on seeds and providing scientific training to farmers, the govt aims to reduce cultivation costs while boosting productivity," a state govt spokesperson said.
Sesame is cultivated on approximately 5 lakh hectares of land in the state during the Kharif season. Recognising its potential in low-rainfall areas and non-waterlogged lands, the agriculture department has intensified efforts to encourage farmers to take up sesame farming. Due to its low input cost and high market value, sesame offers a good profit margin per unit area, making it an ideal crop for rain-fed regions.
To ease the financial burden on farmers, the department is providing a subsidy at the rate of Rs 95 per kilogram on certified sesame seeds. Key varieties being promoted include RT-346, RT-351, Gujarat Til-6, RT-372, MT-2013-3, and BUAT Til-1. The agriculture department is also training farmers in scientific techniques to enhance yield and improve quality.
The minimum support price (MSP) for sesame was set at Rs 9,846 per quintal, ensuring a fair return to the cultivators. The department said that unused patches of farmland can be used for sesame cultivation using micro-irrigation methods, giving farmers an extra source of income.
