Farmers in and around the Big Rivers Region of the Northern Territory (NT) and Kununurra in Western Australia (WA) are invited to learn about incorporating sesame into broadacre rotations in Northern Australia at a series of field days in June.

During the field days, trial sites showcasing high-value, multi-purpose crops, like sesame will be open for inspection. Growers interested in integrating these crops into their farming systems will have the opportunity to discuss the results of the trials, and inspect the plants.

The events will showcase sesame research in partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), AgriFutures Australia and CQUniversity. Together this forms the collaborative partnership, Sesame Central. The aim of the trials 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 sesame trials are investigating new high-yielding, non-shattering black and white sesame varieties, which can be inspected at the field days.

With sesame valued at up to $2,000 per tonne 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.

As part of these field days, AgriFutures Australia are also showcasing Industrial Hemp Variety Trials (IHVT) in Katherine and Kununurra. Event details and registration is below.

• The Katherine IHVT and Sesame Central Field Day will be held on Tuesday 18 June from 8:30am – 2:00pm at the Katherine Research Station, 449 Stuart Highway, Katherine, NT 0850. Registration is required. Register for Katherine here.
• The Kununurra IHVT and Sesame Central Field Day will be held on Thursday 20 June from 8:30am to 2:00pm at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Durack Drive, Kununurra WA 6743. Registration is required. Register for Kununurra here.