Enhancing sesame cultivation in Nagaland: A success story of agricultural innovation and farmer’s empowerment

Abstract

To address low productivity in sesame caused by poor seed quality and underutilised summer fallows, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre identified Amrit and Prachi as ideal high-yielding, short-duration varieties. Through targeted capacity-building and adoption of improved management practices, farmers successfully integrated these cultivars into their zaid/ summer seasons. The introduction of local oil extraction and processing further transformed the crop’s profitability, boosting the benefit-cost (B:C) ratio from 1.37 to 4.83. This initiative has effectively revitalised sesame farming and increased cropping intensity and rural incomes.