An Analysis Of Sesame Crop Value Chain: A Case Study Of Kordofan Region, Sudan

ABSTRACT

There is an urgent need to improve production and marketing conditions of

small holder farmers in Kordofan region of Sudan in order to alleviate poverty and

enhance food security. This study was conducted to determine the profitability of the

sesame value chain as one of the viable options that can address the challenges of small

holder fanners. This study characterized the sesame value chain from producers to

processors in terms of material and information flows as well as theinter-relationships

between the actors. In addition, constraints and opportunities in the sesame production

and processingwere determined and marketing costs, value added and profit margin

distribution among actors in the chain evaluated. A sample size of 150 respondents

(farmers) were randomly selected using multistage sampling procedures. Thirty other

actors (assemblers, brokers, wholesalers and processors)were traced and interviewed

subjectively using purposive sampling procedures. The study used functional analysis,

flowcharts and mapping of the current sesame value chain as well as strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis and financial analysis to draw

results, conclusions and recommendations. The findings revealed that sesame

production is constrained by lack of extension services, civil war and conflicts between

farmers and livestock keepers over natural resources and scarcityof farming

equipment.Oil processors are constrained by high cost and insufficiency of inputs and

oil imports. Sesame producers' opportunities in the region include production of good

local varieties and favorable growing conditions.Oil processors have the potential to

increase oil production and compete with other oils by improving quality and exporting

the livestock cake directly to the world market instead of selling it to brokers who then

export the product. Traditional oil processors appeared to have higher profits(1 ,297.1

SDG/ton)compared to the industry sesame oil and this was attributed to the high cost of

oil that was processed traditionally due to increasing demand for organic products and

healthy oils.The resultsalso showed 'thattahania processorswere the winners of the chain

in terms of profits with the highest profit share of 2705.5 SDG inany ton of sesame that

,wasprocessed. The commendations includea call for government to intervene by

establishing extension services and routes demarcation to reduce the conflicts between

farmers and livestock keepers. Policy makers, agricultural banks and existing small

scale programs could form partnerships with relevant organizations to provide financial

and infrastructural support to expand the scope and effectiveness of the current initiatives to overcome reported obstacles of access to credit.