KARACHI, Dec 9: The country has earned around $20 million on export of 46,000 tons of sesame seed during 2001-2002. There are great prospects for higher export of sesame seed with estimated annual growth of around 20 per cent as world’s total demand stands over 0.6 million tons.

The seed has a demand in Turkey, South Korea, Japan and Syria where most of exports find their way. Other significant importers are the Netherlands, the UK and Singapore.

The sesame seed, which is rich in fat, protein, carbohydrates, fibre and some minerals is widely used in food items. It is used mainly as a food ingredient in whole, broken, crushed, shelled, powdered and paste forms.

The whole seed is extensively used in the Middle East and Asian cuisines. A typical halvah is made from crushed, roasted and sweetened seeds.

According to a research due to contents of niacin (8.9 mg per 100 grams), the seed assists against ageing of the human body. In view of this a liquid sesame product is prepared and drunk by both, men and women.

The paper prepared by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) suggested that if farmers and exporters have direct contact even better export results could be achieved.

The world production of sesame seeds in 1999 was 3.38 million tons, which increased to 3.62 million tons in 2000, showing a growth of 6.38 per cent. China, India, Sudan, Mynamar, Uganda, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania, Mexico, Thailand and Egypt are top-twelve producers of this seed. Between 80 to 85 per cent of world’s total annual production comes from these countries.

In Pakistan, sesame seeds were cultivated on over 100,000 hectares of land during 2001-02. Total production that year was 57,000 tons. Per hectare yield of the seed is the highest in Balochistan among all provinces of the country, while country’s over all average yield in 2000-01 was 503 kg per hectare.

For getting better price and enhancing the market share, the EPB further suggests that right image building is necessary. Higher quality of the product should be maintained. Only scientifically treated, properly cleaned, washed, dried, colour- sorted, sized graded, impurities-free seeds with appropriate oil content - not less than 40 per cent — packed according to international standards my be exported.

There is a world of difference between the prices of raw sesame seeds and the oil. The private sector entrepreneurs may, therefore, set up sesame oil extracting plants in the country to ensure that a larger portion of the crop is exported in higher value-added form.

This will simultaneously, ensure appropriate income for the agriculturists, as they would be selling direct to exporters. For this purpose, vertical match-making conferences of the stake holders may be held in the country every year, the EPB maintained in the document.