Fatshimetrie: Discovering sesame cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire
In the heart of the fertile lands of Côte d’Ivoire, a new agricultural opportunity is emerging: sesame cultivation. As the harvest of this seed with multiple virtues begins, the first national days dedicated to this crop are organized in Kong, in the north of the country. Farmers, entrepreneurs, bankers meet to explore the opportunities offered by the sesame sector, which promises to be a promising source of agricultural income.
In a region where cotton, cashew nuts and mango dominate agriculture, the potential of sesame as a cash crop is attracting more and more attention. Producer cooperatives see this seed as an opportunity for diversification and additional income. Sesame cultivation, traditionally intended for local consumption in the regions of Bagoué, Tchologo, Bafing and Folon, is now opening up to export.
Abdoulaye Traoré, General Commissioner of the National Sesame Days, is optimistic about the future of this crop. At the head of a cooperative of around a hundred producers, he is banking on exporting the seed to international markets such as China and Israel. With prices that can reach up to 700 CFA francs per kilo at the edge of the field during periods of high demand, sesame is positioned as an attractive speculative product for Ivorian farmers.
With a view to sustainable development, the Department of Agriculture of the Tchologo region is committed to supervising producers and providing them with quality seeds adapted to climate change. In addition, researchers from the National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA) are contributing to the improvement of sesame cultivation techniques, thus participating in the formalization and professionalization of the sector.
By further structuring the production and marketing of sesame, the players in the sector hope to soon be able to create an Ivorian label that will guarantee the quality and origin of the products. This initiative aims to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s position on the international sesame market and to offer local producers sustainable export opportunities.
Sesame cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire is thus establishing itself as a booming sector, bringing promising economic prospects for farmers and players in the sector. By promoting this little-known agricultural resource, Côte d’Ivoire is opening up to new agricultural horizons and sustainable development opportunities that could boost the local economy and strengthen the country’s food security.