The crop has attracted better prices at between Sh 3,655 and Sh 4000 a kilo, compared to the Sh800 per kilo that it fetched at some point in previous years Mtwara. Sesame farmers have all the reasons to smile after fetching higher prices in the ongoing 2022/23 trading season.Over 21,000 tonnes of the produce have been sold so far, generating nearly Sh80 billion for farmers in Lind and Mtwara regions.Reports from sesame-growing regions show that the crop has been traded at a maximum price of over Sh4,000 and a minimum price of Sh3,665 per kilo. Lindi Mwambo Cooperative Union (LMCU) and Ruangwa, Nachingwea and Liwale Cooperative Union (Runali) have jointly sold over 10,881 tonnes worth nearly Sh40 billion.Over 10,200 tonnes of the produce have been sold by members of Masasi and Mtwara Cooperative Union (Mamcu), garnering over Sh40 billion for farmers.LMCU general manager Nurudin Said says more than 21 companies have participated in the initial auctions, mostly from China, where the crop’s demand is increasingly high. "Farmers should continue growing the crop through best cultivation practices in order to get high and quality yields that will guarantee better prices,” he says.Lindi Region produces the Lindi Sesame White 2002 variety, which was developed by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (Tari) at the Naliendele Centre.According to the LMCU official, the variety is characterised by a high oil content, which is preferred on the international market.