Muhammad Saleem

Sesame is not just a crop, it’s an economic opportunity waiting to be tapped. With the proper support, training, and awareness, this tiny seed could play a huge role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. Dr. Muhammad Qavvi of the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) told WealthPk that the Punjab government has launched a Rs 1 billion project to boost the cultivation and per-acre yield of sesame and other oilseed crops.

He said that under this program, the provincial government will set up 592 model farms across 17 districts of Punjab, including Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Kasur, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Layyah, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Bahawalpur, Pakpattan, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Okara, and Faisalabad.

He said that the government will provide financial assistance of Rs. 30,000 each to 1,000 farmers to help them adopt modern sesame farming techniques. He emphasized that the government is making efforts to significantly reduce the country’s import bill for edible oil by encouraging local production. 

Quoting Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Chief Scientist of Agricultural Research, Dr. Qavvi said that Pakistan exported sesame worth Rs. 350 million in the past ten months alone. He said that sesame has now become an integral part of crop rotation systems due to its compatibility with changing climate conditions.

He noted that the sesame cultivation area in Punjab increased significantly last year, and the government is investing in agricultural research to meet international quality standards. “It is the need of the hour to develop disease-resistant, high-yield sesame varieties that can thrive in unpredictable weather. Our agricultural scientists must step up and deliver innovations that can strengthen the agriculture sector of Pakistan,” he added.

He said that the government will provide modern machinery at subsidised rates to help farmers sow and harvest oilseed crops more efficiently. “The government has planned to install modern drip irrigation systems at model farms. In addition, workshops and large-scale farmer gatherings are being organized to provide technical guidance and ensure the transfer of new technologies,” he added.

Highlighting the crop’s economic value, Dr. Qavvi noted that research indicates sesame is a low-water crop with high profitability and strong export potential. Promoting its cultivation is a smart move for both farmers and the national economy, he added. Dr. Qavvi said that 2,000 agricultural graduates will be hired as interns in the upcoming financial year to provide technical guidance to farmers at their doorstep. He said that protection from harmful pests, reduction in post-harvest losses, and a focus on value addition of sesame will be key to this project.

Muhammad Ali, a member of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told WealthPk that China is a major buyer of Pakistan’s sesame, with 70% of last year’s production exported there. He said Pakistan also exports sesame to various countries, including Turkey, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, South Korea, Egypt, and Vietnam. The FCCI is in contact with the AARI to explore joint efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural sector, improving the financial position of farmers, and encouraging young people to take an interest in agriculture.

Ms. Najma Afzal, a former MPA, said that the Punjab government is aware of the edible oil import bill and is making efforts to increase local production of sesame, soybean, and other oilseeds. Sensing the country’s financial condition, she said, “We understand the urgent need to cut down our heavy spending on edible oil imports.”

Credit: INP-WealthPk