RDA boosts Korea oilseed exports with new high-lignan sesame, omega-3 perilla
The Rural Development Administration has developed two new sesame varieties to speed up sesame oil exports. In the first half of this year, sesame oil exports reached $8.43 million (about 11.5 billion won), the highest ever for the same period. The Rural Development Administration said on the 16th it developed sesame "Seulgi" and "Roum," which have three times more lignan than foreign and conventional varieties, and perilla "Jian," which has higher omega-3 content. Lignan is a representative antioxidant component of sesame, and an official at the Rural Development Administration said, "Through research, its efficacy has been proven for improving long-term memory, protecting and regenerating nerve cells, and protecting the liver." The lignan content of these varieties (13–14 mg/g) is about three times higher than that of foreign and conventional sesame (4–5 mg/g). The yields of sesame "Seulgi" and "Roum" are 130–150 kg per 10 ares, 6%–8% higher than "Geonbaek," the most widely grown in Korea. In particular, "Roum" has pods that do not easily shatter at harvest, enabling mechanical harvesting, which the agency said improves productivity and cultivation convenience. The new perilla variety "Jian" has about 66% alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, higher than existing varieties "Dayu" and "Deulsaem" (63%–64%). Its yield is 142 kg per 10 ares (a), and its oil extraction rate is 33.3%, 8% and 3.4% higher than "Dayu," respectively, combining functionality and productivity. An official at the Rural Development Administration said, "Through research, we confirmed that alpha-linolenic acid is effective in protecting damaged brain cells and improving learning ability and memory." Meanwhile, seed distribution and cultivation expansion will proceed in stages, with sesame "Roum" to be distributed through The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT) starting next year. Sesame "Seulgi" and perilla "Jian" will be supplied first in major production areas through the New Variety Utilization Promotion Project by the National Institute of Crop Science, then gradually expanded.
Source: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-policy/2026/09/16/YFQMAZOEIJDKVEXHREOEYFDT4I/?outputType=amp