Research Projects

India, the fourth leading oilseeds producer globally, contributes about 19% of the world's oilseed area but only 2.7% of production. Despite having diverse agro-ecological environments, India imports a significant amount of edible oil, costing exchequer 68676 crores annually. Domestic production only meets 45% of demand, while the remaining 55% is imported, accounting for half the value of its total agricultural imports. To meet the projected population of 1685 million by 2050, India needs to double its oil seed production. To address this issue, India must assess the existing yield gap in oilseeds and design strategies to enhance productivity. sesame, known as the "Queen of Oil seeds," is cultivated on 2.18 lakh ha in India and contains 50-60% high-quality oil, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), protein, Vitamin B1, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and natural antioxidants. It also offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, sesame has a wider yield gap with lower yield, necessitating proper strategies to improve its productivity and reduce oil imports. Factors affecting crop growth and development include radiation and temperature, water and nutrition, pests and diseases, and location-specific optimal sowing windows. Existing crop simulation models for rice, wheat, maize, soybean, cotton, and mustard have been developed to assess yield gaps and climate change impacts, but there is no such model for sesame.