Tanzania sesame study seeks to improve yields

The European Union has disbursed 150,000 Euros to conduct a three-year research study on white sesame in Tanzania's Mtwara and Lindi regions.

Senior Agricultural Research Officer at the Naliendele Agricultural Research Centre, Dr. Omar Mponda, said the funds would be used for research on white sesame, which is under high demand on the world market. Mponda said the Institute has been conducting the research since
November last year.

The residents in the areas of the study use local and poor varieties of sesame, resulting in low yields. The research focuses on identifying higher yielding varieties.

Mponda said the institute, with help from the farmers, has managed to produce three improved varieties of white sesame; Naliendele 92, Ziada 94 and Lindi 2002. They are resistant to diseases and yield more oil than the traditional varieties.

Sesame is the second most important cash crop in Mtwara and Lindi regions after cashew nuts.

Last season, 32,000 tons of sesame were sold outside the country valued at 20 billion Tanz. shillings ($16 million). The southern regions produce 75 per cent of all sesame in the country.

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