참깨 from 파키스탄

History

Sesame has been grown in Pakistan for centuries, traditionally as a subsistence crop. However, over the past two decades, its role has shifted to a commercial export crop, with increased cultivation in southern Punjab and Sindh provinces due to favorable weather and international demand.

Production Regions

• Punjab (South Punjab – Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan): Main sesame-producing zone.
• Sindh (Khairpur, Sanghar, Umerkot): Major contributor with expanding acreage.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan: Minor but growing production regions.

Growing Conditions

• Climate: Hot and dry; ideal temperature 25 to 35°C.
• Rainfall: 300 to 600 mm annually; mostly rainfed.
• Soil: Prefers sandy loam, well-drained soils with moderate fertility.
• Sowing Seasons: Two main seasons—Kharif (June to July) and Rabi (February to March in some areas).

Harvesting Process

• Harvest Time: 90 to 120 days after sowing.
• Method: Manual cutting and stacking for drying.
• Post-harvest: Pods are shaken or beaten to release seeds, followed by sun-drying and sieving.

Cultivation Methods

• Farm Size: Mostly smallholder farms (1 to 2 hectares).
• Farming Practices: Low-input traditional methods; improved seeds promoted through extension programs.
• Support: NGOs and government-backed training for yield and quality improvements.
• Mechanization: Limited to basic threshing and cleaning tools.

Supply Chain:

• Flow: Farmers → Village Traders → Wholesalers → Exporters.
• Processing: Exporters conduct sorting, grading, and cleaning. Some have hulling capabilities.
• Export Hubs: Karachi serves as the main port and sesame processing center.

Local Logistics

• Transport: Road transport via trucks from interior farming regions to Karachi.
• Port: Export shipments are routed through Karachi Port.

Regulations and Certifications

• Regulatory Bodies: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Ministry of Commerce oversee exports.
• Certifications: Organic, HACCP, and EU-compliant certifications available from select exporters.
• Residue Management: Growing focus on pesticide control for EU market access.

Quality Standards

• Purity: 98 to 99.95% depending on processing level.
• Moisture: Typically kept below 8%.
• Grading: Based on seed color, size, cleanliness, and processing (hulled or unhulled).
• Processing Type: Both natural and hulled sesame offered.

Trade Terms

• Exports (2023): Exceeded 120,000 MT.
• HS Code: 120740.
• Key Buyers: China, South Korea, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
• Payment Terms: Letters of credit (LC), advance payments for high-volume shipments.

Environmental Impact

• Water Use: Minimal; thrives in drought-prone areas.
• Land Use: Grown on marginal lands unsuitable for water-intensive crops.
• Soil Health: Suited to crop rotation with legumes or cotton.
• Climate Resilience: High tolerance to heat and erratic rainfall.

Social Impact

• Employment: Supports rural livelihoods across farming and trading communities.
• Women’s Involvement: Limited but present in seed cleaning and packaging.
• Economic Role: Important non-traditional export crop that diversifies rural income and enhances foreign exchange.

Uses

• Food Industry: Baked goods, tahini, snack bars, confectionery.
• Oil Production: Sesame oil for culinary and cosmetic use.
• Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics: Oil used in skin care and natural remedies. 
• Animal Feed: Byproducts (sesame cake) used in feed formulations.