Sindh pins hopes on oilseeds

Farmers in lower Sindh are expanding mustard and other oilseed cultivation as Rabi planting gets under way, despite an Irsa forecast of a 22pc irrigation water shortfall. Dawn reported that mustard is gaining ground because growers see lower input costs and better returns than sunflower, while domestic oilseed output could reduce reliance on imported edible oil.

Pakistan’s edible oil imports reached $5.86bn in 2025, while local production was 531,000 tonnes, meeting about 10pc of demand. The government’s revised 2026-29 programme will promote sesame on 200,000 acres, castor beans on 150,000 acres and canola alongside sugarcane, using an estimated Rs2bn-Rs3bn from the earlier Rs11bn allocation. The programme aims to raise edible oil self-sufficiency over time, although officials say phased government approval is still required.