{"id":130344,"date":"2025-09-29T08:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=130344"},"modified":"2025-09-29T08:48:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T08:48:10","slug":"sesame-cultivation-expands-in-kobani-amid-shift-from-less-profitable-crops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/130344\/","title":{"rendered":"Sesame cultivation expands in Kobani amid shift from less profitable crops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KOBANI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 <\/strong>The city of Kobani in northern Syria has witnessed a significant expansion in sesame cultivation during recent summer seasons, as farmers increasingly turn to the crop for its profitability, low production costs, and adaptability to local climatic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers say sesame has proven far more rewarding than traditional summer crops such as vegetables, watermelon, and corn, which have yielded poor returns in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Omar Darwish, 31, a farmer from Kobani eastern countryside, told North Press that he began planting sesame six years ago and dedicated four hectares to it this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Farmers have suffered losses from vegetable cultivation,” Darwish said. “Watermelon crops fail and the demand for corn is weak, making it unprofitable. Sesame, however, thrives here and brings good income. It is one of the most successful crops in our region.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Darwish, each hectare produces about one ton of sesame, sold for around $1,000. The crop\u2019s expenses are limited to plowing, seeds, and irrigation, which typically requires no more than six waterings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that using solar-powered irrigation systems reduces expenses compared to diesel-powered pumps, which require frequent maintenance and higher fuel consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sesame is also easy to market, he added, as traders buy it directly due to strong demand, and it is sold in U.S. dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers call for diesel support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mustafa Qader, 58, a farmer from Mazr Dawoud village in eastern Kobani, told North Press that he planted five hectares of sesame this year alongside vegetables and watermelon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said he suffered losses from the other crops but expects a good profit from sesame, which requires six to seven irrigations on average, consuming about 150 liters of diesel per hectare each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qader added that the lack of diesel support for farmers poses a major burden, calling on the Autonomous Administration on North and East Syria (AANES) “to provide three batches of diesel fuel to help farmers reduce costs and encourage expanding cultivation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With proper care, he noted, one hectare of sesame can yield up to one and a half tons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qader emphasized that sesame cultivation benefits not only farmers but also landowners, laborers, and transporters, as it injects hard currency into the local market and stimulates economic activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profitable and sustainable crop<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nizar Sheikho, a farmer from Shiran village in Kobani countryside, described sesame as one of the most successful crops in the region due to the favorable climate, which provides the heat the plant needs to flourish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheikho said that most farmers are now expanding their sesame cultivation “because of its low expenses and high returns. The cost of cultivating one hectare does not exceed $300, while the yield sells for about $1,400 to $1,500 per ton.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explained that expenses are limited to plowing, labor wages, seeds, and irrigation, while marketing remains easy since the crop is exported abroad in U.S. dollars \u2014 bringing hard currency into the region and benefiting the local population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheikho noted that the optimal planting period extends from early May until mid-June to avoid the rainy season in November and December, which could damage the crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the agricultural plan, the total area cultivated with sesame in the Aleppo countryside has reached 7,916 dunams, with about 15 percent of irrigated farmland allocated for sesame during the summer season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reporting by Fattah Issa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Editing by Jwan Shekaki<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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