Story by Gay Matambo
MWENEZI – SESAME production in Mwenezi has presented an alternative cash crop for small-scale farmers as they have managed to generate sustainable revenue from growing and selling the sesame oil seed.
The month of June is the peak period for the sesame marketing season and small-scale farmers in Mwenezi district who have fully embraced production of the cash crop are forever grateful to government and its development partners for availing information that led them to venture into sesame farming as well as ensuring a reliable market for the crop.
ZBC News came across sesame farmers who were delivering their produce at the Mwenezi Multi-Service Centre, where a sesame processing plant has been established.
“I started growing sesame last year, and I have managed to do quite a number of things to develop my family and myself. The market is readily available, and sesame production has transformed our lives,” said a farmer.
“We have managed to boost our household incomes through sesame production. This is the third year, and I’m happy with what I have achieved so far. We have managed to take our children to school, we have bought livestock as well,” noted another.
Since the establishment of a sesame processing plant in Mwenezi in 2022, small holder farmers from Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts who have been growing the crop and selling their produce to the centre have increased from 200 to close to 10 000 as the sesame export market continues to grow.
“Last season, we were able to export 212 tonnes of sesame, 151 tonnes into Japan, and 61 tonnes into Mozambique. This year, we have seen a growing interest from different parts of the world. We have been approached by customers from India, China and from Japan itself, and they are committed of taking up to 10 000 tonnes of sesame per year in Zimbabwe and we believe we will be able to reach that target,” said Sustainable Agriculture Technology deputy Director, Mr Lloyd Masunda.
Sesame farmers are growing the crop with the assistance of government, the Japanese Embassy and Sustainable Agriculture Technology.
Sesame is a highly sought-after commodity in international and local markets due to its high nutritional value as it is rich in essential nutrients, which include proteins, fibre, and antioxidants.
