GOVERNMENT is working on modalities to regularise the production and marketing of sesame oil seed by opening new lucrative markets for the crop in the Middle East where it is on high demand. Farmers in the Lowveld area of Chipinge have developed a strong affinity for sesame, but lack of a structured marketing strategy has led to widespread smuggling of the crop to Mozambique.There, the crop is sold to merchants who export it to foreign markets at premium prices.Some farmers are secretly contracted by Mozambicans to grow sesame without the authorities’ knowledge. The crop fetches around US$1,20 per kilogramme, and a farmer employing proper agricultural practices can harvest between one and two tonnes per hectare.Sesame has become the preferred crop in the area, with many farmers abandoning or scaling down cotton production due to its higher earnings potential.To address the challenges faced by sesame farmers, Government is working to establish a structured growing process.Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka announced that buyers in Saudi Arabia were identified to purchase the produce.This development is expected to increase earnings for farmers and generate the much-needed foreign currency for the country. “We are aware that sesame is an important oil seed crop, and demand is increasing. Zimbabwe is producing an estimated 100 000 metric tonnes, with the current hectarage ranging between 25 000ha and 30 000ha. This drought-tolerant crop offers value to farmers due to its payment modalities, which are more favourable than those for cotton. Farmers are businesspeople and make rational decisions.“We are rebuilding the cotton industry, and we hope that in the future, many more farmers will remain in cotton farming, while also growing sesame. “The current market for sesame is unstructured, leading to cross-border marketing. We are engaging Middle East countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to develop a formal marketing system that enables our farmers to market their produce effectively,” he said.Chairman of Middle Sabi Farmers Syndicate, Mr Skumbuzo Todhlana welcomed Government’s commitment to help farmers access direct markets, which will increase their earnings.He said sesame has been well-received in the Lowveld region, but farmers are relying on illegal merchants from Mozambique. “The majority of sesame buyers are Mozambicans. Farmers here are smuggling sesame to sell it there. There is a huge uptake of sesame in Checheche, Chisumbanje, and Mabee areas that are close to the border.“Some Mozambicans are secretly contracting locals to produce sesame for them. Sesame is being sold at US$1,20 per kilogramme, a better price than what is offered locally. The crop is easy to manage, requiring less weeding, pest control and fertiliser. In fact, it can thrive without fertiliser,” said Mr Todhlana. Mr Todhlana praised Minister Masuku’s initiative to formalise the sesame market.“Here, people are ready to organise themselves and have buyers come to one place. Prices must be competitive, just like those offered in Mozambique. The crop has been well-embraced, and most farmers have migrated from cotton to sesame,” he said.