Summary

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) has recently emerged as a promising new industry in Australia, largely due to the introduction of new genetics, or non-shattering sesame. Utilising these new sesame genetic lines, sesame to date has been trialed, but has not yet reached commercial production. It is estimated that the current GVP is less than $1 million. Over the next 5-years the sesame industry has set an ambitious target to achieve well over $10M GVP. The development of an RD&E Strategic Plan is an important first step in establishing a clear direction of where resources and investments should be targeted to ensure the growth of this emerging industry in Australia is achievable, and will be delivered through this project. An additional immediate need is the identification of insecticides to manage the primary pest of sesame: the sesame leaf webber (Antigastra catalaunalis). The delivery of these core outputs will permit the rapid and effective response to the research, development and extension needs of the Australian sesame industry through well-targeted and coordinated future investment, and will include a trial to address insect pest concerns currently hampering sesame production. While there are less than 10 industry members, there is strong support to grow this emerging industry. The development of an RD&E Strategic Plan will establish the pathway for the sustainable production, profitability and global competitiveness of the Australian sesame industry and help secure the industries future.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

Cesar Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

The objective of the proposed project are to enable the sustainable growth and development of the sesame industry in Australia. In order to achieve this objective, several overarching outcomes will be apparent: i). Development of an RD&E Strategic Plan for the Australian sesame industry to include a SWOT analyses and industry consultation opening up communication channels, ii). Formation of a sesame industry body and an associated Terms of Reference (ToR), and a iii). Semi-field trial to screen and identify suitable chemical actives against the primary pest, sesame leaf webber providing data to support the development of a permit for sesame. This project falls under the category ‘Supporting industry growth and sustainability’.