Sesame seed production in Tanzania has grown dramatically during the past ten years. The production has increased from 90 thousand tonnes in 2009 to 680 thousand tonnes in 2019, making Tanzania among the largest sesame-producing countries across the world. Mtwara and Lindi regions of Tanzania are the main sesame-producing regions in the country.
Where is Sesame grown in Tanzania?
Economics of Sesame Production and Land Use in Tanzania Sesame is one of the non-traditional cash crops for export in contemporary Tanzania. It is produced in Lindi and Mtwara regions. The crop is mostly grown in a separate farm or mixed with other crops in areas that originally were forests (Miya et al., 2012).
Why are sesame seed prices increasing in South Tanzania?
The auction prices for sesame seeds have increased in the central producing areas of Lindi and Mtwara in South Tanzania. Sesame seed is the ideal crop to grow in African countries as it is drought tolerant, unlike maize and many of the other traditional crops in the region.
Which country produces the most sesame seeds in Africa?
Currently, Tanzania is the largest producer of sesame seeds in Africa and one of the continent’s leading exporters. Sesame seed production in Tanzania has grown dramatically during the past ten years.