The Sesame Central Research and Innovation Hub has launched at the Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP) at CQUniversity in Rockhampton and will work to capitalise on Australia's emerging sesame seed industry, which could see sesame imports replaced with Australian-grown sesame. In 2020, Australia imported more than 13,000 tonnes of sesame worth $57.25 million.
Currently the majority of whole sesame and sesame products are imported into Australia, predominantly from Africa and Asia.
Sesame Central is a collaboration between AgriFutures Australia, and the Cooperative Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). It follows AgriFutures’ $2 million investment into research to scale-up production of the high-value crop sesame. The aim is to provide a coordinated approach to sesame research in Australia with a focus on addressing practical challenges faced by growers and communicating research findings to stakeholders throughout the sesame supply chain.
The recent introduction of new high-yielding, non-shattering varieties, with high quality seed and adaptation to local conditions has accelerated growth even further, as the crop can now be mechanically harvested.
AgriFutures Australia Emerging Industries senior program manager, Dr Olivia Reynolds, said there was a clear opportunity to replace sesame imports with Australian-grown sesame.
“Sesame is an attractive commercial proposition for growers, so it’s essential that they have the tools and information available to capitalise on this production opportunity.
“In supporting the industry to scale-up production, it’s essential that farmers have access to new research, giving them the tools available so that sesame is an option for diversification or can fit within existing broadacre cropping systems across northern, and even parts of southern Queensland and New South Wales,” said Reynolds.
As the managing research organisation for AgriFutures Australia’s $2 million sesame program of research and CRCNA’s $2m investment in the Great Northern Spices Program, CQU will co-ordinate a range of research activities in collaboration with the Australian Sesame Industry Development Association (ASIDA), universities, State and Territory governments, commercial seed companies, farm machinery suppliers and growers from across the country.
With sesame valued at up to $2,000 tonnes at farmgate, and perfectly suited to Australia’s hot and dry conditions, it is an attractive option as a high-return break crop in broadacre farming systems, reducing reliance on imports and bolstering local production.
CQUniversity lead researcher, Dr Tieneke Trotter, said planned research included crop agronomy for maximum yield, customising machinery for planting and harvesting and post-harvest processing.
“Traditionally grown in Northern Australia, a key aim for us is to investigate new genetic lines with a shorter growing season which will allow sesame to be grown in more southern areas,” said Trotter.
CRCNA chair Sheriden Morris, said it was exciting to see the development of a new crop for Northern Australia that will provide diversification opportunities for farming businesses in the north.
“With the help of investment from international seed companies, the sesame industry has gained a foothold in Australia and the focus now is to scale-up production of this high-value crop.
“Researchers will continue to trial new ‘non-shattering’ varieties which means more of the seed can be captured at harvest time for higher returns to growers and better quality for consumers,” said Morris.
Different sesame varieties produce either black or white seed, which can be sold as seed for human or animal consumption, or processed into oil, paste (tahini) or flour, or used as a flavouring in confectionary.
