Sesame farmers in the family sector in Mavago district, Niassa province, expect to generate 16 million meticais by the end of August as a result of the sale of around 402 tons of sesame oilseed crop.
Since the beginning of the marketing of surpluses from the last season, last March, producers based in the district of Mavago have collected around six million meticais from the sale of 120 tons of sesame, which is cultivated intensively at the administrative post of M’saise.
Also read: Life coming back to normal in Palma – Mozambique
The amount of oilseeds sold may see a significant increase next August; local government authorities of Mavago foresee the commercialization of 402 tons of sesame by the end of that month.
Around 1,500 producers in the family sector are involved in the production of sesame, the main raw material for manufacturing cooking oil and for the national poultry industries. Initial projections point to the collection of revenues in the order of 16 million meticais, one million less than levels of collection achieved in the last marketing campaign.
‘Notícias’ has learned that some sesame producers are still harvesting. Also, pests and diseases, as well as the entry of animals such as the eland into the fields, have affected crop volumes.
Saide Moemede, head of the administrative post of M’saise, who revealed the information, assured that irregular rain, pests and diseases and even the eland had not affected the plan to produce about 450 tons against 395 last year.
He also mentioned that 11 stakeholders were mobilised in order to achieve success in the current agricultural marketing campaign, against seven last year.
Also read: Mozambique energy consumption exceeding 1000MW at peak times
Moemede highlighted agricultural fairs in rural areas and the current purchase price of about 80 meticais per kilogram as factors contributing to the success of sesame marketing.
“With this amount, producers are able to pay for services and necessary goods, and this is galvanising local development,” Moemede said, stressing that the price of sesame had stimulated an increase in agricultural production and productivity in that part of the province.
