Nigeria has a comparative advantage in the production and export of Sesame seed in Africa over her counterparts due to the large arable land available for production and the conducive climatic condition. The nations presently control about 4% of the world market export products (of this crop) worth $20mn in a global trade, valued at $48mn.
The total Sesame seed export is worth $480m and is growing at the rate of 3% on an annual basis. Because of the high quality of sesame oil compared to oils gotten from other oil-bearing seeds, the demand for sesame seed has been on the increase for the past 10 years, thus, the large number of exporters.
What is Sesame Seed?
Sesame seed is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum, also called benne. It is one of the oldest oilseed crops with a variety of relatives spread across Africa. The seed has numerous nutritional value for health improvement, and it is known to be one of the oldest plants cultivated with a historical background of over 4,000 years of discovery.
Sesame Seed Benefits
Sesame seeds contain antioxidant properties that may benefit your health. They possess a unique mixture of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help to prevent cancer, improve heart health, lower blood pressure and many more.
Sesame Seed Grades
Based on their colour difference, Sesame seed in Nigeria can be classified into two {2} types, namely:
The white/raw sesame seed and brown/mixed sesame seed.
The white varieties are usually regarded as the food grade and used in the bakery industry while the brown varieties are referred to as oil grade and used in the production of sesame oil.
The White (Food Grade) seed is grown around the towns of Keffi, Lafia/Makurdi, Doma, Nassarawa, Taraba, and Benue States. It is easier to sort and the Fumani/Denin people consume sesame locally.