MTWARA: SESAME harvest in Mtwara Region has increased to 27,000 metric tonnes in 2024/2025 season from 17,000 tonnes recorded in 2023/2024 production year.
The harvested 27,000 tonnes of the produce have been sold, so far generating over 90bn/- for the crop growers in Mtwara, Masasi and Nanyumbu Districts in Mtwara Region.
Marketing Officer with Mtwara, Masasi and Nanyumbu Agricultural Cooperative Union (MAMCU) Ms Neema Sumavere made the revelation here over the weekend, saying the increase is attributed to improved agronomic practices in sesame production in the region.
“Production records for 2024/2025 season shows that production has increased by over 10,000 tonnes compared to 17,000 tonnes produced in the 2023/2024 season.
The increase is attributed to good agricultural practices by sesame growers through government facilitation,” she said.
She was speaking during the seventh and last auction for the 2024/2025 trading season. The auction was conducted in Mtwara town.
She said the produce for 2024/25 season were auctioned through seven different auctions conducted in Mtwara Region between June 14 and July 26 this year.
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The auctions were conducted through commodity exchange platform.
Ms Neema said the prices at the 2024/2025 season increased compared to last season, “There has been fair prices probably brought about by good market competition,” she said.
Reports from farmers agricultural cooperative union (MAMCU), show that the crop has been traded at a maximum price of over 3570/- and minimum 2910 per kilogramme.
Commenting on the trend of the auctions, Ms Neema said there has been fair prices offered by buyers as the auctions allowed farmers to observe bidding process directly, ensuring transparency and providing crop growers with real-time market data.
Meanwhile, MAMCU announced that the 2024/2025 trading season for pigeon peas is set to start earlier next month (August) calling on crop growers to start preparing their produce ensuring that good quality for better marketing.
“I call upon farmers especially those farming pigeon peas to get ready for pigeon peas trading season set to start next month, we will soon announce the date to open warehouses ready for the trading season,” said Ms Neema, MAMCU Marketing Officer.