Why sesame production is booming in Katsina

Sesame production in Katsina State is experiencing rapid growth as local farmers increasingly invest in the crop due to its high demand in international markets. According to Harisu Abdullahi, a sesame farmer in Kurfi Local Government Area, sesame has become a vital cash crop alongside traditional crops like millet, sorghum, and beans. Farmers now view farming as a lucrative business that requires strategic planning rather than just a subsistence activity.
Despite limited land availability, many farmers adopt intercropping methods, combining sesame with other crops such as millet, sorghum, groundnut, and beans. Sesame is particularly attractive due to its low production costs, as it requires minimal fertilization compared to other crops like maize and sorghum.
Abubakar Usman Karfi, CEO of Silvex International Limited, highlighted the increasing importance of sesame for exports, with 95–97% of Nigeria’s sesame production destined for international markets. Nigeria is the second-largest sesame producer in Africa, generating 450,000 to 650,000 tonnes annually. Major markets include Japan, China, and India, with Japan purchasing around 40% of Nigeria’s sesame due to favorable tariffs on agricultural imports.
Despite its profitability, sesame farming in Nigeria faces challenges, particularly concerning post-harvest losses. Sesame is delicate at the harvest stage and must be handled with care. Karfi noted that improper harvesting methods can result in farmers losing over 50% of their crop.
Source: Dailytrust

Expert Review for Agri-food Stakeholders:
The surge in sesame production offers significant potential for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly for export diversification and revenue generation. Key takeaways from the report include:
High Demand and Export Growth: With 95–97% of the crop targeted for export, sesame farming presents a strong opportunity for Nigerian farmers to tap into international markets, especially in Japan, China, and India.
Cost-Effective Production: Sesame farming is appealing to low-resource farmers due to its minimal input requirements, particularly the limited need for fertilizer, which is becoming increasingly expensive for other crops.
Intercropping Strategy: The practice of intercropping sesame with millet, beans, sorghum, and other staples enables farmers to maximize land usage and hedge against price volatility for individual crops.
Addressing Post-Harvest Losses: Reducing post-harvest losses through the adoption of improved harvesting techniques and infrastructure investments could significantly increase yields and profits for sesame farmers.

Recommendations for Agri-food Stakeholders:
Promote Technical Solutions: There is an urgent need for investment in improved harvesting methods and post-harvest technologies to minimize losses. This could include training for farmers and the introduction of mechanized solutions to handle delicate crops like sesame.
Enhance Export Infrastructure: Given the significant export potential, stakeholders should advocate for policies and investments that improve Nigeria’s export infrastructure, including storage and logistics, to ensure quality and increase profitability.
Encourage Farmer Training on Best Practices: Farmers should receive training on optimal planting, intercropping, and harvesting techniques to improve productivity and ensure high-quality sesame for export markets.