Abstract:
Groundnut, sesame and safflower are important oilseeds both for local
consumption and export in Ethiopia. These oilseeds are cultivated the
lowlands (500—1500 m) and are classified as lowland oilseeds.
Lowland oilseeds research was started in 1966 by the Institute of
Agricultural Research at Melka Werer, Bako, Gode, Setit Humera and
Gambella Research Centers. Since then research has been conducted
at irrigated areas such as the Awash Valley and Gode, high rain fall
in the western lowlands and eastern lowlands with marginal rainfall.
Groundnut and sesame are excellent rotation crops for cotton and
sorghum. Groundnut is cultivated particularly in Babile and Bisidimo
areas of Eastern Ethiopia. It is also a highly productive crop in high
rainfall western lowlands such as Abobo, Dedessa, Beles and Fincha
and irrigated areas of the Awash Valley. Harvesting groundnut is a
labor intensive activity, therefore, it requires a small scale groundnut
Sheller and Lifter. Sesame farms at Humera were established by a
Greek farmer Mr. Markos Sideris in 1950s. Sesame has been once the
major export commodity of Ethiopia. Even today, sesame,
particularly the white seeded one could be a attractive business.
