참깨 from 나이지리아

History

Sesame cultivation in Nigeria has expanded significantly since the early 2000s, transitioning from a subsistence crop to a major cash crop. Its growth has been catalyzed by increasing international demand, government support for non-oil exports, and the crop’s adaptability to arid conditions.

Production Regions

• Benue State: Largest producing area with high export-quality sesame.
• Nasarawa, Jigawa, and Taraba: Major contributors to national production.
• Kebbi, Sokoto, and Gombe: Key zones with growing cultivation under dry conditions.

Growing Conditions

• Climate: Warm tropical; thrives in 25 to 35°C temperatures.
• Rainfall: 500 to 800 mm annually; requires well-drained conditions.
• Soil: Sandy-loam to loamy soils; tolerant of moderately acidic soils.
• Sowing Seasons: Late May to early July (main season); harvest in October to November.

Harvesting Process

• Harvest Time: 90 to 120 days after planting.
• Method: Manual cutting and bundling; traditional drying in field before threshing.
• Post-harvest: Sun-drying, manual cleaning, and bagging before market transport.

Cultivation Methods

• Farm Size: Predominantly smallholder farms (1 to 3 hectares).
• Farming Practices: Rainfed, low external inputs; increasingly adopting improved seed varieties.
• Extension Services: Supported by NGOs, government programs, and export-focused cooperatives.
• Mechanization: Very limited; post-harvest processes mostly manual.

Supply Chain

• Flow: Farmers → Aggregators → Licensed Buying Agents → Exporters.
• Processing: Cleaning, sorting, and limited hulling performed by exporters.
• Export Hubs: Primarily Lagos and Kano.

Local Logistics

• Transport: Trucking from farms to regional markets and port cities.
• Ports: Export shipments mainly through Lagos Port (Apapa, Tin Can).

Regulations and Certifications

• Export Oversight: Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) regulates standards.
• Certifications: Some exporters offer Organic, HACCP, or EU-compliant products.
• Residue Control: Focus on pesticide management due to EU rejection history.

Quality Standards

• Purity: 98 to 99.95% purity depending on processing.
• Moisture: Typically under 8%.
• Grading: Based on color (white, brown, mixed), purity, and seed size.
• Processing Type: Mostly natural (unhulled), with growing hulling capacity.

Trade Terms

• Exports (2023): Over 400,000 MT annually.
• HS Code: 120740.
• Key Buyers: China, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam, UAE, and EU countries.
• Payment Terms: Often LC or advance payment for bulk contracts.

Environmental Impact

• Water Use: Low; suitable for semi-arid areas.
• Land Use: Expanding into marginal lands; minimal deforestation concerns.
• Soil Impact: Compatible with rotational cropping systems.
• Climate Adaptability: Highly drought-resistant crop.

Social Impact

• Employment: Source of income for over 500,000 farmers.
• Women’s Participation: Active in harvesting, cleaning, and aggregation.
• Livelihoods: Key export crop for northern Nigeria; contributes to rural income and FX earnings.

Uses

• Food Industry: Used in tahini, baked goods, snacks, and confectionery.
• Oil Extraction: Crude and refined sesame oil for culinary and industrial use.
• Cosmetics & Pharma: Oil used in soaps, skin care, and traditional medicine. 
• Animal Feed: Residue (sesame cake) used in livestock diets.