Sesame seed taken from sesame plant are known for their versatile uses as flavouring agent and medium of cooking oil. Known for their rich proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fibres sesame seed are an important ingredient in culinary traditions of many countries, especially the countries in West Asia. Sesame seed carry 55% of oil content. Sesame oil is used for cooking, cosmetics, paints and lubricants. The byproduct obtained after extracting oil is used as feed for livestock.

Global output of sesame seed is estimated at around 3 million ton per year with India and China dominating production. Global sesame output occurs mainly around few countries in Asia and Africa. Global sesame seed trade is estimated 500,000-600,000 ton per year.

As leading producers India have an important role in global sesame business. Mainly cultivated Maharshtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Preadesh, Karnataka, Orissa and West Bengal India is accounting for nearly 30% of global output. Broadly three varieties of sesame seeds are grown in the country -- yellowish, red and black seeds. Sesame seed and oil are available in the country almost throughout the year.

The total global production of sesame seed sums up to around 30 lakh tons annually, China being the highest seed producer. The production of the seeds is somewhat concentrated in the Asian and African continents and the topmost five countries indulged in the production of sesame accounts for the majority of share in the total production. The production as well as consumption of sesame seeds has been in the up trend since the last decade and both the figures are rising steadily.

World trade figures in sesame seeds are 5 to 6 lakh tons annually. As already mentioned that the production of this condiment is concentrated in a few countries, it has resulted in for the concentrated exports also. Only the major producing countries dominate sesame seed exports and the major exporters are listed below

It is an important kharif crop mainly cultivated in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Punjab. India is the largest producer of sesame seed in the world accounting for 30 per cent of the world output.

The eastern region comprising West Bengal, Orissa, Assam and Andhra Pradesh mostly produce red and black variety sesame which is inferior to the white sesame grown in Gujarat and other western states. In the eastern region sesame is normally sown after the potato crop with mild doses of fertilizers. Not much irrigation is required.