How To Start Sesame Farming Business In Nigeria: Your Complete Guide
Sesame farming business is a profitable agribusiness investment that will certainly earn you good money in Nigeria. It will interest you to know that sesame seed was Nigeria’s leading agricultural export in the first quarter of 2018. On the list of cash crops in Nigeria that are in high demand, sesame seed is only behind cocoa. Currently, Nigeria is ranked second in Africa and 7th in the world in terms of sesame seed production.
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When 90% of the sesame seed produced in Nigeria is exported abroad, it only tells you about its profitability. Sesame farming is a really good money making opportunity for you. The objective of this article is to provide you with the needed information to succeed in your sesame farming business. Here, you will be provided with information regarding:
- Where does sesame seed grow in Nigeria?
- How long does it take to grow sesame seeds?
- What are sesame seeds good for?
- Sesame farming business in Nigeria
- The production of sesame oil in Nigeria
- Sesame seed yield per hectare
Globally, sesame farming yields approximately 4.8 million tonnes of sesame seeds annually and you can be part of this business. All that is required is for you to get the necessary information to excel in this business. In Nigeria, you should know that there about 26 states that take part in Sesame farming business. One very good thing about sesame farming is that you can cultivate all over the country. The major importers of the sesame seed are China and Japan.
The profitability of sesame farming business in Nigeria
The profitability of sesame farming business greatly lies in the usefulness of the sesame seeds all around the world. It will interest you to know that sesame seed is a very good source of vegetable oil. The good thing about the sesame seed oil is that it has no cholesterol. This has made it the most demanded vegetable oil in the world, hence the great profit you can make from sesame farming.
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The seed from sesame farming can be processed and used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other industries for paints, soaps, etc. It will also interest you to know that sesame seed contains about 25% protein and 50.5% oil. Another very positive thing about sesame farming in Nigeria is that it does not require much fertilizer or even irrigation. This means that it will not be expensive for you to cultivate or start sesame farming business in Nigeria. In fact, sesame farming is a business to beat as it guarantees your returns on investment in this profitable business. The sesame crop is also pest resistant, thereby saving you money on the purchase of pesticides.
According to the president of National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun; sesame farming generates jobs for Nigerians. This only tells you that there is enough profit to make from sesame farming business in Nigeria. You really need to consider this particular business venture as very few farmers know about it.
Guidelines to starting your sesame farming business in Nigeria
If you are considering starting sesame farming business in Nigeria, there are certain things you need to put in place. Here is the step-by-step guide for you on how to start this sesame farming business in Nigeria.
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Have good sesame farming business plan
You can’t do well in this farming business if you don’t have a well-detailed business plan. The business plan will help you in the course of your business due to the things contained in it. Your business plan should contain your marketing strategy, financial projections, SWOT analysis, the mission and vision of your business, etc.
With your detailed business plan on sesame farming, you can access government loans for agriculture or loans from commercial banks. In order to attract investors, you also need a business plan. In fact, the importance of a good business plan for your sesame farming business cannot be overemphasized.
2 Site selection, preparation, and planting
The very good thing about the sesame plant is that you can actually cultivate it across Nigeria. Although, it does better in the Northern part of the country as a result of its drought-resistant ability. For your farmland selection, it is advised that you go for a loamy soil with a pH between 5.5-6.7. You should clear the farmland of bushes and tree stumps or anything that will hinder the optimal growth of the sesame plant.
While planting your sesame plant, it can be done on ridges with a row spacing of 60cm by 10cm. You can as well plant them on a plain land that is well tilled. About 4-5kg of sesame seeds is required to be planted on one hectare of land. You should know that sesame yield per hectare is approximately 1-1.5 tonnes every year.
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It is recommended that you weed your sesame farm 25 days after planting to avoid the choking of the seeds before they germinate. You should try to maintain 2 sesame plants per roll to avoid unhealthy competition for nutrients.
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Choose the best variety for your sesame farming business
At the moment, you should know there are 5 main sesame varieties that give an optimal yield per hectare. These improved varieties include:
- The NCRIBEN 01m (530-6-10) which gives 1000kg as sesame yield per hectare with an oil content of 45%.
- NCRIBEN-02M type 4 has the capacity to yield 750kg per hectare and oil content of 45%
- Yandev-55 yields 600kg per hectare and oil content of 45%
- NCRIBENO-30 (Goza-25) has the potential to yield 600kg per hectare and oil content of 40%
- The E8 cultivar yields 1000kg per hectare with an oil content of 50%
This means that the type of sesame cultivar will greatly determine the success of your sesame farming business in Nigeria.
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Harvesting your sesame seeds
It takes approximately 5 months for sesame to reach maturity after you have planted them. You know that they are ready for harvest when about 50% of the capsules have turned yellow. It is highly advised that you do not delay harvest as it can adversely affect the yield. You should make use of s sickle to cut the stem while harvesting.
So, you have seen for yourself that the profitability of sesame farming is simply too good to ignore. You really should consider investing in this booming business that very few people know about in Nigeria.
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