Mozambique: Sesame farmers in Luabo despair over lack of buyers – Notícias

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Mozambique: Sesame farmers in Luabo despair over lack of buyers – Notícias

1:38 CAT | 22 Jul 2024

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Notícias]

Sesame farmers in the district of Luabo, in Zambézia province, are facing serious difficulties in selling their production in the main commercial markets, which could lead to the loss of investments in land management and phytosanitary assistance.

However, the district government recognizes the impassability of the access roads to the production fields and marketing centres for this oilseed do constitute an impediment.

Juliasse Piter, sesame producer in the village of Caoxe, told our reporter that, this year, she increased the production area from one hectare to two-and-a-half, attracted by the prices obtained in the last campaign.

But Piter says he is now having difficulties finding a buyer, quoting Bengali traders who normally purchase the product as justifying their reduced engagement this year on the poor condition of the roads.

He indicated that, in addition to the Luabo-Mopeia road, which is more than 70 kilometres long, the sections leading to production fields and community warehouses are in poor condition due to the lack of maintenance or rehabilitation.

The Pabodzi Association also complained about the lack of buyers in Mopeia and Morrumbala districts.

President of the association, Jacinto Carlos, believes that if there were an intervention on the roads, producers could earn a lot of money because the reference price of ninety meticais per kilogram is quite encouraging.

Data in our possession indicates that more than 3,600 tons of sesame held by producers in Luabo, Zambézia province, are at serious risk of degrading because of the state of the Luabo-Mopeia road.

As an alternative, producers are selling this oilseed at a low price in order to recover part of the investments made, but even so, it does not compensate for the effort made during the agricultural season.

Source: Notícias