Sustainable Sesame: AARI’s Efforts to Combat Climate Change and Boost Farmer Profits

The Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) in Pakistan is actively developing new varieties of sesame, which is considered a resilient crop against climate change. Dr. Sajid Rehman, AARI’s Director General, emphasized the potential of sesame as a lucrative crop for farmers and highlighted its export value of $1.5 billion over the past 18 months, bolstering Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. He also noted that increased exports of various agricultural products are expected through the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement.
Despite its benefits, farmer Ali Raza pointed out that sesame is not yet as profitable as wheat or cotton due to challenges in finding buyers. However, Dr. Rehman reported a significant increase in sesame cultivation, now over one million acres, driven by new varieties, higher yields, and effective marketing. The broader agricultural sector earned over $7 billion this year from exports.
Dr. Ihsan from AARI’s Oilseeds Department highlighted the nutritional and economic benefits of sesame, including its use in food, medicine, and animal feed. He also mentioned that sesame’s low water requirements make it ideal for Pakistan, which faces water shortages. Javed Kamal, an exporter, noted Chinese interest in Pakistan’s agriculture, predicting that increased collaboration would enhance the sector. Both experts stressed the need to improve farmer profitability to fully realize agriculture’s potential, especially in the face of climate change.