Black Gingelly
Traditional Gingelly crop is grown in Ramnad and Paramakudi taluks. It is black seeded variety than normal white seeded type. It has more oil content than the other varieties and the duration of the crop is longer (i.e.90 days) than the other varieties (75 days). They are cultivated as rain fed crop and the yield is 400 kg per acre and the total cost of cultivation for rain fed gingelly is Rs.500/-. The traditional gingelly has more branches and vigorous growth than any other gingelly varieties. The seeds are kept for next sowing by farmers themselves. There is no permanent season for gingelly cultivation. It may be sown in the month of Chitrai, vaikasi or Adi (April – July) based on need and demand of farmer. It is not suitable for cultivating in rainy season because it will cause certain problems.