Onattukara Agency to Launch Tablet Form of GI-Tagged Sesame

Rapid Summary

• The Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA) plans too introduce GI-tagged Onattukara sesame in tablet form to be used as a nutritional supplement and health food.
• Research on the medicinal properties of the sesame will be conducted by Jubilee Center for Medical Research, financed entirely by OVA.
• Tests will include laboratory studies on human body cells followed by three phases of testing on rats, focusing on toxicity and safe consumption levels.
• Onattukara sesame, recognized with a GI tag in 2023, is cultivated across 600 hectares in Alappuzha, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts. The agency aims to expand cultivation to 2,000 hectares.
• Kerala Agricultural University studies revealed higher levels of vitamin E and antioxidants in Onattukara sesame compared to other varieties.
• Farmers cultivate multiple varieties developed locally: Ayali, Kayamkulam-1, Thilak, Thilathara, and Thilarani.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The initiative by OVA marks an important step toward leveraging geographical indication recognition for commercial submission while promoting nutritional wellness. By transforming the nutritionally rich medicinal resource into easily consumable tablets corroborated through scientific studies on safety and efficacy, it opens avenues for integrating traditional agricultural products into modern health solutions.Additionally, expanding cultivation aligns with developmental goals crucial for improving rural participation in high-value crop production over larger areas.

This project may also set precedence for further innovations involving traditional crops with identified nutritional or pharmacological benefits-enhancing their market value globally while ensuring authentic branding linked back to India’s agricultural heritage. However cautious execution is imperative due amidst rigorously safety data scrutiny

Read more: A sesame field in Onattukara region