Sesame Business Network Newsletter Issue 13 February 2017

Finally, sesame market prices increase! About this newsletter When the market for the new sesame produce It also continues to increase. Currently, the commenced its sales in October and November sesame price offered at many spot markets The purpose of the SBN newsletter 2016, the price was way below expectations. is more than 2,500 ETB. is to provide relevant and timely Ranging from 1,500 – 1,700 ETB per quintal, information on the Sesame Business both farmers and spot markets traders were In spite of current trends, many smallholder Network and its support project- disappointed. As of mid-December 2016, farmers seem to have missed out by having Benefit - SBN. however, the sesame price has improved. Continued to page 2

In this issue we highlight the major activities that have been taken place between November 2016 and January 2017.

Inside this issue

Sesame market price increases...... 2

Over 1,000 smallholder farmers benefit...... 2

SBN stakeholders discuss on the complex challenges...... 3 Over 1 ,000 smallholder farmers benefit from an innovative financing arrangement Sesame from A-Z: 26 interesting Over 1,000 smallholder farmers guarantee fund set up by Agriterra. The arrangement has things to know...... 4 from four primary cooperatives facilitated access to a one year term loan of four million ETB Tigray Region SBN stakeholders in Northwest Ethiopia have to Metema and Setit Humera Unions at an annual interest annual workshop...... 5 benefited from an innovative Continued to page 2 financing arrangement for Promoting rotation crops...... 5 sesame production and marketing set by the joint efforts of Agriterra, A deaf farmer gets close to 10 Benefit-SBN and Cooperative quintal per hectare...... 6 Bank of Oromia (CBO). Adem Endeshaw: local oil presser...... 7 Agriterra provided a guarantee fund of two million ETB to CBO Sesame Business Platform to pilot an innovative financing organised...... 7 arrangement that links pre- finance for sesame production Do you want to know today’s with marketing credit to sesame market price, call 8338...... 8 cooperatives. CBO expressed its willingness to share 50% risk in Upcoming activities...... 8 piloting input credit for selected cooperatives against the 50% Smallholder farmers supplying their sesame to their cooperatives Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 2

Continued from page 1 1,700 ETB per quintal. I was thinking already sold off the majority of the stores that the market price will get lower. I earlier in the season. Visits to spot market can’t predict the future. I had to repay quality controller’s offices show that large the credit that I took from ACSI. For this portions of sesame were transacted in and other reasons, I needed money November, when the price was little more badly at that time. That is why I sold my than 1,700 ETB per quintal. At Kokit spot sesame earlier.” market, the largest supply was recorded in the last week of October (12,881 quintals) Mr. Gebremariam Tegegn is a sesame and the first week of November (16,500 farmer from Dansha Zuria Kebele, quintals). Had farmers had the capacity Tsegedie woreda. In 2016, he to wait just six week’s longer, they might harvested 10 quintals of sesame from have earned 23.5 million ETB more. his two hectares of land. He sold his yield to the cooperative in which he is Many farmers also report that they Mr. Malede Abye a member when the price was not as sold their sesame as soon as possible. such good, 1,800 ETB per quintal. He Their reasons being: cash constraint; an did this early in the marketing season urgency to repay high interest rate loans because he had to repay the loan that from informal money lenders; and lack of he took from Dedebit Microfinance and faith that market prices will improve. the Dansha primary cooperative. He seems happy for supplying his yield to Mr. Malede Abye, a farmer from Awlala the cooperative and repaying his loan kebele, Metema woreda, planted sesame on time but he said he is sad as he is on two hectares of land and harvested not benefited from his sesame farm only four quintals. He said he used due to the lower price. improved technologies, but his production is low due to water logging. He added that Interviewed farmers said that it is it is not only the weather that affected his difficult for them to predict the future. sesame, the market price was not good. They suggested that the government He did not get the profit that he expected. or any other concerned bodies need He said, “I sold my produce in the first Mr. Gebremariam Tegegn to search for solutions for fluctuating week of December 2016 with a price of sesame prices.

Continued from page 1 Repayment was agreed to be in-kind Setit 2: newly released (sesame) and almost all farmers sesame variety performs well rate of 12%, which has served as input have already repaid their credit. The Demonstration of Setit-2 at farmers’ credit to more than 1,000 smallholder cooperatives are using the credit for fields in West Tigray shows good farmers and marketing credit for four financing their marketing activities. primary cooperatives. The four million performance. About 25 farmers were asked to give a score to their results, ETB was channelled through the two The pilot created farmers’ access which indicates a greater preference unions and four cooperatives. Kokit and to less costly pre-finance, resulting for Setit-2 over Setit-1. Reportedly, this Mender 6,7,8 cooperatives of Metema in increased smallholders’ income is due to its relatively early maturity union received 1.3 million and 0.7 million and boosted output marketing of (80-87 days), height, drought tolerance ETB, respectively. Idolla and Maernet cooperatives and unions. In addition, and number of branches. The newly cooperatives of Setit Humera union it helped to strengthen cooperatives’ released Setit-2 variety has a yield received 1 million ETB each. relationships with their members. This advantage of 17.39% on farmers’ fields innovative financing arrangement could under conventional practices and a The credit for individual sesame farmers be scaled out to improve access to 8.7% yield advantage under optimum ranges from 1,500 to 15,000 ETB input and marketing credit for a wider practices. depending on farmer’s land size, trade portion of the sesame sector. participation in the cooperative, number HuARC has a plan to promote this of shares in the cooperative, credit Agriterra and Benefit-SBN supported variety. The centre multiplied pre- history and other relevant factors. The the unions in developing business basic seeds in its experiment site smallholder farmers mainly use credit plans, which was a prerequisite in and about 10 quintals has been for weeding, harvesting and threshing getting the loan. The two projects have harvested. Furthermore, pre-basic seed activities. The annual interest rate of 15% been jointly supporting cooperatives multiplication of this new variety is on is far below the cost of informal financing, and unions in Northwest Ethiopia progress under irrigation. which can often be as high an effective (Amhara and Tigray) since 2013. The rate as 100% per annum. This helped key areas of collaborations include: Setit-2, a white sesame variety, yields farmers to perform their farming activities farmers’ financial literacy training, 7-11 quintal per hectare during its on time and enabled them to retain cooperatives/unions capacity building release in 2016. Its oil content is greater shares of the income. and marketing credit. 53.77%. Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 3

SBN stakeholders discuss the complex challenges of sesame value chain development Presentations and discussions reveal that despite great efforts (training, demonstrations, input delivery…), adoption of improved sesame technologies is less than expected.

The Amhara region Sesame Business Network (SBN) stakeholders’ and value chain alliance annual workshop was held in Gondar in the 23rd and 24th of December, 2016. The workshop, which brought together about 100 participants from six-sesame producing woredas, two zones and regional government, was jointly organised by Amhara Region Bureau of Agriculture (BoA), Gondar Agricultural Research Center (GARC), the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) and Benefit-SBN. Investor farmers voiced their complaints Sesame marketing. Sesame’s market regarding the credit services of financial price is declining time after time. Mr. A vital component of the workshop was institutions. They said that considering Mulualem Milmile, an investor farmer, that the stakeholders and partners the current high cost of production, the said, “At this moment, sesame marketing of the SBN presented and discussed amount of credit provided is insufficient. is sick. The 4,000 ETB price per quintal the 2016 sesame production season They also complained about the timing in 2013 has created a serious challenge in the region. GARC; Amhara Credit of credit provision. It was, however, for us now. Labour, food and other costs and Saving Institute (ACSI); Ethiopian mentioned that the regional government are becoming very high. What we spend Agricultural Commodities Warehousing was committed to support investor and what we get do not match. There Service Enterprises (EACWSE); Tshay farmers. In consultation with ACSI, it should be some kind of solution for the and Metema Unions; Trade, Industry has arranged a sesame loan for investor market price problem.” It was discussed and Market Development Bureau; farmers. ACSI availed more than 201 that the sesame market is influenced Jawi, Mirab Armachiho and Metema million ETB in credit for investor farmers. by international markets. As many woredas and Benefit-SBN presented the Representatives of financial institutions other countries have started producing major activities done; results gained; pointed out that the commitment of sesame and are entering the world challenges faced and the way forward. investor farmers to invest these funds in market, competition is becoming tough. General discussions were made by sesame production was not as expected. Exporting raw sesame is not helping participants focusing on production, According to financial institutions, most the country. Not adding value to what finance and marketing related issues. investor farmers did not use the money is produced locally is also said to deny to buy improved inputs like fertiliser and job opportunities for Ethiopian citisens. Results of discussions show that quality seeds. Participants expressed that value despite great efforts in providing addition should be mandatory. training, demonstrating improved Some participants of the workshop practices and making sure inputs were voiced their concerns about EACWSE Way forward. Discussants suggested available; adoption of improved sesame and ECX. Investor farmers criticised the that integrated and concerted efforts technologies is below expectations. grading system and warehouse services should be made to improve the Major challenges identified include: of EACWSE and ECX. Subjectivity; an sesame business climate from its farmers limited awareness of and unsystematic approach to grading; current position. Participants said they reluctance to use inputs, technologies corruption; and a maximum waiting will do their level best to search for and machinery; pest and disease period of 30 days in storage were the solutions to complex and multifaceted infestation; scarcity of farm implements main complaints. The introduction of problems. Strengthening the sesame such as row planters; volatile, but the E-Trading system at ECX has also task force; organising seasonal ultimately relatively low sesame market been mentioned as a problem. Suppliers platforms; strengthening the capacities prices; lack of credit; safety and are expected to come with 50 or 100 of stakeholders including unions and security problems; shortage of labour; quintals quantities. If there are odd lots, primary cooperatives; engaging in value infrastructure problems; weak follow up; suppliers are allegedly forced to sell adding activities; and ensuring sufficient too heavy rainfall; among others. these at very low prices. What is more, and timely supply of inputs including it is reported that trucks loaded with credit, appropriate chemicals for pest The issue of finance is one of the sesame are forced to stay for days before and disease control, and robust and most cited concerns of the workshop they get unloaded in the warehouse, multipurpose machineries are suggested participants. Loan takers and loan givers which incurs costs to suppliers. ways to improve the sesame sector. do not seem to be on the same page. Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 4 Sesame from A-Z: 26 interesting things to know In this column, we have been sharing with you important information on sesame cuisine and research findings about the important health benefits of sesame. We will keep on sharing with you what we have read about the benefits of sesame and major rotation crops. In this edition, we would like to share with you 26 interesting facts and figures about sesame seeds. From Ali Baba to Zinc, Sesame: one of the oldest oilseed crops known, domesticated well over 3000 years ago

Ali Baba. The magic formula “Open sesame!” is from the book One Thousand and One Nights, and specifically from the tale of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves”. It refers to the actual sesame fruit, because when the fruit is mature many aromatic seeds come out of it. The exotic formula also relates to Sesame Street, the popular American TV edutainment program with the Muppets.

Black and White. The widely-used varieties are either black or white. Black sesame has an intense and oily taste, it’s more popular in the Far East. to help the dead in their passing. They it to olive oil in the Mediterranean. Cantonese. Cantonese cuisine uses also burn sesame oil in votive offerings It’s used in medicine and for beauty a lot of sesame. Of the many sweet because they consider it sacred. products thanks to its easy absorption. soups, probably the black sesame one is the one everyone likes best, it’s also Japan. Sesame is a key ingredient in Papyrus Ebers. Growing sesame is an believed to prevent greying of the hair. making the uramaki, a variety of sushi ancient tradition. Archeology proves in which the centre is wrapped in an that sesame was in use 4,000 years Drought. Its plant can survive a algae called nori and the outer part in before Christ. It’s mentioned in the drought and keep growing. It’s called a rice and sesame seeds. The Gomashio Papyrus Ebers, the Egyptian book of “survivor crop”. is a very popular dry condiment made medicine written in 1550 BC, using text with black sesame seeds and salt. written in 3600-3400 BC. In Hindu, the Energy. Sesame is high in energy, 568 word oil derives from the sanskrit word kcal in just 100 grams. The flour you Koulouri. It’s a ring-shaped bread sesame. get after you extract the oil, contains with sesame seeds, it’s very Popular 35-50% protein, usually used for in Greece, as well as in Turkey, the Quality perception. Colour is an feeding animals. Balkans and the Middle East. In Slavic important factor in understanding countries, such as Russia and Poland, quality and determining price. In Five hundred. Sesame seeds are quite the traditional version is more similar certain countries, after the shell has small, from three to four millimeters, to the bagel. been removed, the seeds go through two millimeters large, and one an electronic colour-sorting machine millimeter wide. To get 100 grams, you Lipoprotein. “High-density lipoprotein” eliminating those that are not the need 500 seeds. (HDL) is a good cholesterol. It’s the one perfect colour. that helps fight the bad kind. Sesame Gluten-free. Sesame doesn’t contain seeds are a good source of it. Roll. Black sesame rolls are a popular gluten, it’s perfect for celiacs and those dim sum dessert in Hong Kong and who would like to avoid eating gluten. Mc Donald’s. Fast Food chains use in Chinese communities around the sesame seeds on hamburger buns. world. They are black sesame leaves Halva. Means sweet in arab and 75% of Mexican sesame production is rolled together to create a soft and ancient hebrew. It is made with tahini, bought exclusively by Mc Donald’s. smooth roll. sugar and honey. It’s very popular in the Middle East and in the Balkans. Nougat. Sweet nougat – also called Sannakji. It’s a typical Korean dish, Babylonian women used to eat it “giggiulena” – is a Sicilian Christmas part of the “hoe”, the raw fish dishes. to preserve their beauty and youth. sweet coming from the Arabs. The The nakji are small octopuses cut Roman soldiers believed they would get sesame seeds are fused together with when they are still alive and served energy from it and keep their strength. honey and served on orange leaves. immediately with seeds of sesame.

Immortality. In India, sesame seeds Oil. Sesame has a great quantity of Tahini. Sesame butter (made with white are employed in sacred rituals. They oil in it and it’s full of anti-oxidants. In sesame seeds, toasted, battered and are a symbol of immortality. During some Asian countries, it’s very popular mixed with sesame oil) is extremely funerals, Indians offer vases of sesame in the kitchen. You can almost compare Continued to page 6 Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 5 Tigray region SBN stakeholders annual workshop Tigray region SBN stakeholders’ annual finance; limited value addition on workshop was conducted at Humera sesame and other rotation crops; town on the 31st of December 2016. market price fluctuation; weak market The objective of the workshop was to linkage; constrained performance highlight major results of the scaling in sticking strictly to the roll out out activities in 2016; discuss major strategy; limited adoption of the 20 challenges to the sesame value chain; steps sesame production package; and create a platform for stakeholders farmers’ low levels of awareness of the to meet and conduct business. potential returns of applying improved machineries and inputs. Presentations were made on the 2016 sesame technology scaling out During the workshop, potential value activities; marginal rate of yield and adding practices for rotation crops were return on investment experiments demonstrated. A woman presented Different dishes from rotation crops, applied to the 20 steps package; 2016 different dishes and recipes for meals sesame oil and kuru malt activities of Benefit-SBN; endeavours based on mung bean, soybean and administration, and cooperative to promote crop rotation; roll out of sorghum. Participants tasted more promotion; Tigray Agricultural the economic logbooks and access than 20 different dishes made from Marketing Promotion Agency; ECX; to finance for primary cooperatives; these crops. Among these was also ATA and sister projects; banks, sesame marketing in 2015/16; and shiro (a common Ethiopian stew-like microfinance institutes Adeday the kebele action plans. Presenters food); different types of bread, snacks and Dedebit; savings and credit emphasised major achievements, and cookies; and soymilk. Kuru malt, a cooperatives; model farmers; investor challenges and the way forward. Male, non-alcoholic brew from sorghum, was farmers; primary cooperatives; female and young model farmers also promoted during the workshop. unions; women’s associations; private reflected their unique experiences. companies; insurance companies; Over 160 participants drawn from traders; and journalists attended the Discussions were made on major agricultural research centres; woreda workshop. challenges in the SBN, including and zonal offices of agriculture, Promoting rotation crops for income improvement, food security and soil fertility management The declining sesame price in the world market; diminishing soil fertility due to persistent sesame mono-cropping; and limited diversity in the nutrition of many Ethiopians calls for a multifaceted approach and innovations for improvement. Realising this, Benefit-SBN has tried to address these problems with the help of 2SCALE for the past three years.

Studies made in the first phase of project revealed that rotation crops such as cotton, sorghum, soybean, mung bean and haricot bean grow successfully in almost all intervention woredas. However, securing markets for these crops has been the main challenge. Based on these findings, market outlet studies were conducted Rotation crops: sorghum, cotton, soya bean and mung bean and efforts have been made to link Unions in Amhara bought soya bean was found very important. To this end, producers with either processing and delivered it to Ambasel Trading demo plots were set up at farmer companies within the country or House. Dansha and Setit Unions in training centres (FTCs), research sites exporters. As a result, sorghum Tigray signed agreements to ensure and farmers’ fields. Four varieties of and soybean were marketed with the production of malt sorghum on 900 sorghum (Deber, Birhan, Hormat and the help of the 2SCALE project to hectare of members’ land, and have Gobiye) were demonstrated. Among sourcing companies including Diageo subsequently delivered about 17,000 these two varieties are meant for and Ambasel Trading House P.L.C quintals to Diageo. malting purpose (Deber and Birhan) respectively. These companies agreed and the other two varieties tolerate to take the produce at reasonable To increase the acceptance of these deadly striga infestations, making prices and to revise these periodically. crops in the two regions and to go for these critical for food security. Accordingly, Selam and Metema large scale production, further scaling Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 6 Seeing is believing! A deaf farmer gets close to 10 quintals per hectare Mr. Meharie Reda, age 40, lives Mr. Meharie is a member of a primary in Lemlem kebele, Tahtay Adiyabo cooperative. He gets agricultural inputs woreda, in North West Tigray. He has such as quality seed for vegetables, a large family of eight and sends all fruits, cereal crops, fertilisers and other his children to school. Mr. Meharie has inputs. He also gets credit services been producing sesame, sorghum and from his primary cooperative. Taking other crops for over 20 years using lessons from his experience for the conventional methods of farming. Until 2017 production season, Mr. Meharie now, he never used to use improved plans to use improved agricultural inputs like fertiliser, quality seeds and technologies on a larger scale. he never planted in rows. Hiwot Gebrensea, age 35, is the wife Farmers in his area got the chance of Mr. Meharie Reda. She supported to be trained in good agricultural her husband in his effort to apply the practices with joint support from 20 steps. She said she was involved Benefit-SBN, Shire-Maytsebri research in different activities such as sowing, centre and Tahtay Adiyabo woreda Mr. Meharie, proudly observing his fertiliser application, weeding, thinning, harvested sesame office of agriculture. He was one of the harvesting, threshing, loading and first farmers to take practical training in hectare). To compare the improved unloading, but not ploughing. Hiwot the nearby farmers training centre. method with the traditional practices, is a member of the Ayfa rural savings Mr. Meharie applied traditional and credit cooperative. She gets credit Due to his hearing impairment, he has production methods on 0.75 hectare. from the cooperative. Apart from the had to rely on practical demonstrations From this, he harvested at a rate of just agricultural activities that he performs of activities by development agents 4 quintals per hectare. during the rainy season, Mr. Meharie and Benefit-SBN staff members. In and Mrs Hiwot produce vegetables on 2016, he applied the 20 steps sesame What is more, he planted sorghum a quarter hectare of their land through production technologies, including in one hectare using improved irrigation. They produce potato, onion, using improved seed varieties, planting technologies and another 1.25 hectare cabbage, fruits, maize and beans, in rows, applying fertiliser, weeding using conventional practices. From which they supply to Sheraro town. regularly and thinning. the former, he harvested 36 quintals while from the latter, in which he did Benefit-SBN has started to support Mr. Meharie was very happy and willing not apply the improved production farmers in Tahtay Adiyabo woreda to try the recommended methods. methods, he got 14 quintals sorghum since the beginning of 2016. The He applied these on a plot of 0.25 ha per hectare. Mr. Meharie’s sesame woreda is one of the three woredas and strictly followed these steps. He field was visited by more than 350 included from North West Tigray zone sometimes approached development farmers, development agents, woreda in the second phase of the project. Mr. agents for technical support. Mr. experts, administrators. His hard work Meharie is one of the 488 farmers who Meharie has learnt from the pictures and his passion to follow improved have been supported by Benefit-SBN given in the 20 steps guide. At the practices helped him to be chosen and the woreda office of agriculture end of the production season, he as a model farmer to the Kunama in implementing good agricultural harvested 2.3 quintals (which may community and other Tahtay Adiyabo practice. be extrapolated to 9.2 quintals per farmers.

Continued from page 4 of years. It’s good for massages and it Yellunde. It’s one of the many regional popular in North Africa, the Middle East, helps circulation and the nervous system. names (Malayaman, Kerala) for sesame Turkey and Greece. You can use it in salty It helps relieve stress, and is useful in balls in India. These are extremely and sweet foods. Compared to peanut curing the cold and dry body type. famous desserts and snack in the butter it has more calcium, fibre and less subcontinent made with seeds, sugar, saturated fat. World production. Myanmar is the palm sugar or jaggery. greatest producer of sesame in the Urdu. In Urdu (the national language world. In 2010, it produced over 722,900 Zinc. Zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, of Pakistan and official in India) many million tons of seeds, 18.84% of world selenium, manganese. It’s also the prime proverbs talk about sesame. For production, followed by India, China, vegetable source for calcium. Sesame example, “til dharnay ki jagah na hona” Ethiopia and Sudan. seeds are rich in trace elements, very means a very crowded place with not one important for everyone, especially for spot left, not even for a sesame seed, “in XVI Century. Sesame seeds arrived in women going through menopause. tilon mein teil nahee” “ means “there is the States brought by African slaves. no oil left in this sesame” and it implies The Benne Wafer Cookies, a speciality Source: https://www.finedininglovers. someone is being really mean. of the Low Country – near Charleston, com/stories/sesame-seeds-facts/ South Carolina - are sesame biscuits Vata. Sesame oil is used in Ayurveda, it’s named after the word sesame in Nigerian been a popular remedy for thousands “benne”. Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 7 Adem Endeshaw: local sesame oil presser shows that the work is exhaustive and the amount of oil extracted is also limited Local oil processing using a camel and compared to a small-scale oil extraction traditional gadgets which are made of machine. wood and stone seems to be a laborious task, but for Mr. Adem it is something While the sesame oil is liked due to its very common that any individual can do. perceived health benefits, the quality of Adem Endeshaw, 50, has been living in the sesame oil which is extracted using Kumer Aftet since 1991. He is a father the traditional method is an issue worth of 15 children. Aside from the traditional investigating. sesame oil extraction work, Mr. Adem does different activities for a living. Sesame Business Platform He produces sesame and other crops organised on his 10 hectares of land. He rears goats. What is more, he owns a meal Benefit-SBN, together with the Ethiopian house. Although Mr. Adem does different Netherlands Trade for Agriculture activities, he is well known in and around Growth (ENTAG) organised a half-day Kumer Aftet for his oil pressing work. press and sell the oil myself.” He added national platform for sesame value chain that when he can, he presses more stakeholders on January 26th, 2017 Mr. Adem has been providing oil-pressing than 40 litres of oil per day. From one in Addis Ababa. The objectives of the services to the community nearby quintal sesame, he reports that he workshop were to map the value chain and elsewhere. He does not seem to gets about 40 litres oil. In the process for both the local and export markets; remember when exactly he started of pressing one quintal of sesame, and identify major opportunities and pressing oil, but he recalls doing it while he adds up to five litres of water. This challenges for production, access to he was living in a place called Das, dilutes the oil slightly. The residue or finance, processing and marketing. before 1991. Nevertheless, he is clear cake of the pressed sesame is used for that he is doing it as business since different purposes. Some portion of it Participants, who were convened from 1991 after he moved to Kumer Aftet. is used as feed for the camel. People in exporter companies, unions, processors This kebele is located near the main road the neighbourhood also buy the cake and mechanised farms, discussed to Galabat, the border town of Sudan. for their cattle to feed on. He said that challenges and opportunities in three The kebele is in-between Gendewuha he sells the cake for up to 5 ETB per kg. separate groups. The result of discussions and Metema Yohannes towns. revealed many challenges related to Mr. Adem is a strong farmer. This year production, lack of finance, quality issues, Mr. Adem has learnt the oil pressing job he planted sesame in four hectares of limited market information and ineffective from a Sudanese. He said, “I first paid a his land. He said he mainly produces government regulations. Sudanese man to do the pressing for me. sesame to sell it raw. He said he does I was very curious at that time. I learnt not extract oil from the white sesame, Participants indicated that challenges how to make the pressing equipment which he instead sells raw for higher to sesame marketing can be addressed from the man and started to do it prices. He usually presses black through better understanding of the myself.” The mortar is made of wood. But sesame or low quality sesame that linkages between farmers, traders and it is not made from just any kind of wood, may not be sold in the market. This other actors along the sesame value it is usually made from ‘Girar’ and/or production season he planted black chain. They underscored the importance ‘Kumer’. Once the mortar and pestle are sesame on a half hectare of land for oil of collaboration with banks, an enabling made, they can serve for 15-20 years. pressing purposes. role of government and direct links The camel pulls the wood and stones between buyers and suppliers. fastened to the mortar the whole day. In Mr Adem is proud of himself and the order to ensure that it isn’t moving and activity that he does. He said: “please The stakeholders were asked to take up rotating in the same plane, the camel ask my customers about me. My work is the organisation of this platform, which is blind folded with a piece of cloth. Mr. liked by many. People sometimes praise is expected to be organised quarterly. Adem stirs the sesame in the mortar me for my good work. Most people For constructive dialogue and strategic sporadically. “I press sesame oil for sale. either buy oil from me or come to me decision making, the ownership of such Sometimes people from Gondar and for my service just learning from others a platform cannot remain in the hands Addis Ababa buy my sesame oil. In most about my work. I serve my customers of Benefit-SBN and ENTAG. Participants cases, however, I give pressing services genuinely. I may charge extra money for agreed on this, but they could not identify to others. I have lots of customers in the my service, but I do not mix the sesame a suitable party that would be willing and area who come to me so that I can press with any other seed.” Mr. Adem, does able to take up the task of coordinating their sesame. I charge my customers this activity with his children. He and organising each meeting. It is around 250-300 ETB per quintal.” Said believes that the work is relatively easy. anticipated that over time, a dedicated Mr. Adem. One of his kids can easily handle the body will facilitate the platforms for many work. Although Mr. Adem feels that the years to come in order to bring sesame Currently, Mr. Adem does not seem to oil extraction work using the traditional sector issues to the table and have them have time to press sesame oil himself. method is somewhat easy, the survey addressed so that the sector as a whole He said, “I could get better profit if I that Benefit-SBN conducted recently will benefit from it. Issue 13 February 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 8 Do you want to know today’s sesame spot market price? Then call 8338 or send SMS to the numbers assigned to different spot markets In collaboration with North Gondar received by the time this article was zone Trade, Industry and Market written (16th February 2017). On Development and Apposit PLC, average, as many as 155 calls are Benefit SBN is availing sesame made daily. market information for eight spot markets in North Gondar zone, Mr. Yeshewas Degefaw, a quality namely Sanja, Kokit, Dubaba, Shinfa, controller in Kokit spot market who Gendawuha, Seroka, Abrhajira and also collects and sends data for Kokit Midregenet. The programme was spot market via the ODK system, first piloted in Kokit and Dansha said that farmers like the information during the first semester of 2016. they get from 8338. It helps inform them without too much money or In December 2016, the three time spent in the process. They do aforementioned partners organised not need to physically come to the a training session on ‘sesame spot spot market and they do not need to market price information collection spend on transportation. They can and dissemination’ for 16 individuals get information at their fingertips. drawn from five woredas of North Mr. Dires Baye, a sesame farmer and Gondar zone. Trainees went back to guard at the spot market said, he gets their respective woredas, collected information by calling 8338. He wants sesame market information from the to use SMS, but he does not know the eight spot markets and sent it using English letters. online date kit (ODK). The collected information has been validated by Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Benefit-SBN staff members are the zone Trade, Industry and Market Response (IVR). First experiences show closely following the programme and Development Department. promising results. A considerable number provide technical support to market of people have been requesting market information collectors in the field. The tripartite project is availing up-to- information by calling 8338 and sending Leaflets, posters and radio ads have date spot market price information messages to the numbers assigned to been used to inform farmers, traders from these eight spot markets individual spot markets in the areas. Since and other stakeholders about the th to farmers, traders and other its launch on December 12 2017, over market information programme. stakeholders via Short Message 9,957 calls and 1,373 text messages were

Upcoming activities • Kebele level planning for 2017 scaling out of improved sesame production technologies • Analysing the cost recording logbooks • Planning for the 2017 roll out of financial literacy training • Producing modules, guidelines and short movies • Signing collaboration agreements with different partners • Meeting with ARARI and TARI • Conducting gender analysis

For more information, questions and comments you can contact us through: [email protected] More information about the SBN and its support project can also be found on the SBN website: http://www. sbnethiopia.org You can also find us on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SBNEthiopia Twitter: https://twitter.com/SBNEthiopia

Producer: Anteneh Mekuria Tesfaye

Inputs and contributions from Dr. Geremew, T.; Abraha, G.; Fiseha, B.; Aregawi, G.; Andualem, T. and all other Benefit- SBN team members

Editorial Contribution: Gareth Borman

To subscribe to the online version of the SBN newsletter please contact: [email protected]

Sesame Business Network Newsletter Issue 14 June 2017

2017 production season starts: SBN stakeholders swing into action About this newsletter

The purpose of the SBN newsletter is to provide relevant and timely information on the Sesame Business Network and its support programme- Benefit- SBN.

In this issue we highlight the major activities that have been taken place between February and mid- May 2017.

Inside this issue

ToT on sesame and rotation crops production ...... 2

Over 290 agricultural professionals trained as trainers...... 2

Galvanising SBN stakeholders into action...... 3

20 amazing benefits of mung bean...4

The 2017 production season has already among the key specific objectives of these ICT based sesame spot market started in some sesame producing areas of collaborations. information delivery piloted...... 5 the Northwest Ethiopia. Farmers and other stakeholders of the SBN are swinging into action For the upcoming production season Meliete: an exemplary woman for better results. Like what has been done in activities, Benefit- SBN allocated nearly 7 who does multiple jobs...... 6 the last four years, Benefit- SBN will continue million ETB. This money will be used for to support farmers and other stakeholders’ Marginal Rate of Yield Return studies and Benefit- SBN advisory board endeavours that they make to increase their rotation crops trial at Farmer Training Centres meeting held...... 6 income. The programme has signed collaboration (FTCs); mechanisation demonstrations on Kebele- level agro- economic agreements with Amhara and Tigray Bureaus of commercial farm plots; supervision activities development planning...... 7 Agriculture with the objective of diversifying and of woreda professionals and for organisation improving production and productivity, improving of field days; woreda data base management; Selet Hulling and Benefit- SBN quality and marketing of sesame and rotation organising training of trainers (ToT) workshops collaboration for better results...... 7 crops. It is also ready to sign collaboration for agricultural professionals, women and agreements with farmer cooperative unions and youth sesame farmers, financial literacy More than 7,000 smallholder to sister projects to roll out financial literacy training. training and for piloting kebele level strategic be trained in financial literacy...... 8 Availing and demonstrating improved production agro- economic development planning. technologies, reducing production price cost, In this issue of the newsletter, we will highlight Upcoming activities...... 8 creating awareness, building knowledge and some of the pre-season activities already skills of farmers and professionals are conducted or being conducted at present. Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 2

ToT held on sesame and rotation crops production package, soil fertility, extension communication and record keeping More than 240 agricultural professionals drawn from North Gondar and Awi zones attended a two- day training of trainers (ToT) workshop on improved sesame and rotation crops production package. The workshop, conducted at Gondar from the 15th - 16th of May 2017, was organised with the objective of improving the knowledge and skills of agricultural professionals on improved agricultural production methods, soil health and fertility, extension communication and record keeping.

The training included both theoretical and practical sessions. After completing the theoretical parts, participants went to the nearby field and practically tried Discussions at the field during the practical training sessions at Gondar on some of what they have learnt in the happy that the training incorporates communication. She said she is eager class lectures such as potential land both theoretical and practical sessions. to go back and share what she has got selection, land preparation, layout, row The practical sessions helped us put from the training to farmers and her planting and basal fertiliser application. some of what we have learnt in the fellow colleagues in her area. At last, participants came together in a paper into practice. This is really good plenary and discussed on the strengths for us as we go and work with farmers Participants were from six sesame and limitations of the training. in the field.” producing woredas, namely: Quara, Metema, Tach Armachiho, Tegede, Participants were happy with the Sayeshe Kasahun from Keptele kebele, Mirab Armachiho and Jawi. training sessions. Mr. Chalachew Jawi woreda, said she has been Derebe, agriculture office head from supporting farmers in her kebele. She The ToT was organised by Amhara Mirab Armachiho woreda said: “this is said she has got important lessons not Region Bureau of Agriculture (ABoA) my first time when I attend a training only on improved sesame and soya bean in collaboration with Agricultural session organised on sesame production production packages, but also on the Transformation Agency (ATA) and package. It is very nice. I am especially application of fertiliser and extension Benefit- SBN. Over 290 agricultural professionals trained as trainers on sesame, sorghum and mung bean production technologies 259 development agents and 34 woreda practical training experts from Tsegede, Kafta Humera and was mainly on Wolkaiet woredas received training on row making, row improved sesame, sorghum and mung planting, seed bean production packages from the 8th- placement on rows, 15th of April, 2017 at Kafta-Humera. fertiliser placement and calibration of Before the training challenges and best different sprayers. practice of 2016 production season of the zone was presented by Ato Tesfay After the training, Yeebyo, head of the zone agriculture discussions were department and advisor for zone held on best administrator. Participants discussed on practices of model the challenges such as moisture stress, farmers applying Demonstrating the theory into practise at Humera pest and disease, low saving culture, low the 20 steps. In Tigray region, it is planned to cover input use, lack of row planter for small Participants raised the possibilities 336,851.5 hectare land with sesame; scale farmers and limited support from of expanding the 20 steps production out of this 38,741.5 hectare land will be development agents. techniques in the coming season. covered in 20 steps. Finally, each woreda presented its plan The theoretical part of the training for the 2017 production season. The The training was organised by Tigray comprises contents on agronomy, Western Tigray zone plans to cover Bureau of Agriculture in collaboration pest and disease management and 53.7% of the cultivated land will be with ATA and Benefit- SBN. post-harvest handling techniques. The with sesame and 28.9% with sorghum. Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 3 Galvanising SBN stakeholders into action to meet the major challenges of the sector and improve productivity, quality and marketing

Mr. Gedu, urging farmers to apply the 20 steps sesame production guide been encouraging investor farmers by providing farm plots, arranging credit and other technical supports. The support might not have been enough, but the efforts made by investor Amhara Region SBN stakeholders experience and the challenges they farmers to modernise the sesame value chain alliance workshop was have been facing in scaling out sesame sector is very limited. The regional conducted with the objective of technologies. They said the 20 steps government may not go like this; it galvanising stakeholders into action improved sesame production package will take actions on those who are not so that they can address the major has not yet been fully adopted in their utilising the land properly. production and marketing challenges areas. Some steps of the 20 steps and discussing on the implementation such as the use of improved sesame Participant reaction of the 2017 production season plan. seed variety, two times ploughing and Mr. Adissalem Bitew, an agronomist gap filling are now becoming relatively from Mirab Armachiho woreda, said: The mobilisation workshop was well adopted. However, fertiliser “There are myriads of challenges; organised at Gondar on the 14th of application and row planting are among the sesame produce that we get right May 2017 by Amhara Region Bureau the steps which are not yet adopted now is below the expected. There is of Agriculture (ABoA) in collaboration by many farmers as these activities a fundamental gap on the side of with Agricultural Transformation Agency require more investment. farmers in implementing the 20 steps (ATA) and Benefit- SBN. improved sesame production package. As a way forward, it was suggested Also, professionals do have limitations During the workshop, major challenges that similar mobilisation workshops in supporting farmers apply the full- of the sector such as limited and meetings should be organised package.” application of the full package, attitude to evaluate the sesame production problem of farmers in the application and marketing at woreda and kebele He added: “the workshop helped of improved sesame technologies, levels. Inputs should be distributed in stakeholders, specially farmers, capacity gap of development time so that farmers can apply the full professionals, administrators and agents, problems on input supply, package, woreda agricultural offices others to see their gaps; almost all of distribution and storage problems, and administration offices need to us are doing below the expected level. shortage of input and output finance, follow up sesame production and We are not providing our support with lack of seasonal meteorology data, marketing activities. all our potential. The workshop helped standardisation system of ECX/ECWAS, us recognise this. If we can change low market price were raised and In 2017 production season, the North the attitude of farmers we can meet thoroughly discussed by participants. Gondar zone planned to cover a total the plan that we set. What is expected of 246,736 hectare out of which from us is putting this on the ground- It was said that limited concern and 132,469 hectare land will be covered walking the talk.” lack of synergy among stakeholders at in improved production technology in different levels such as administrators, the five-sesame producingworedas . Over 550 participants representing experts’, development agents, farmers farmers, kebele, woreda zone etc. was the main problem to meet In delivering a closing remark, his and regional level administrators’, these challenges of the sector. excellency, Mr. Gedu Andargachew, professionals from agriculture, Amhara Regional State head stated finance, trade, industry and market In a plenary session, administrators that the regional government is development, financial institutions, ATA, from Metema, Quara, Tach Armchiho, determined to support the sesame Benefit-SBN attended the workshop. Tsegede and Mirab Armachiho sector with all its potentials. He explained their respective woredas added that the regional state has Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 4 20 amazing benefits of mung beans In this column, we have been sharing with you important information on sesame cuisine and some research findings on the important health benefits of sesame. This time, we ask your attention for one of the rotation crops in sesame farming systems: mung beans, popularly known as green grams, are used for a variety of purposes and offers multi-purpose benefits. In the 11th issue of the SBN newsletter we shared with you some of the nutrition related benefits of mung bean. In this issue, we would like to share with you its health benefits. 1. Anti-aging benefits:Mung bean is eases blood vessels and lowers a powerful anti-aging agent. Copper, hypertension. This, in turn, keeps the the secret behind mung beans’s anti- blood pressure of the body under aging property, reduces the presence control. of wrinkles, age spots and age lines from the skin easily. Its regular usage 11. Increases mental focus and can make you look younger than your alertness: Mung beans are rich in original age. Iron, which carries oxygen in blood and supplies the same to all organs 2. Provides radiance: it adds shine and tissues. Intake of mung beans and radiance to human skin. The ensures optimum supply of oxygen presence of copper increases its use to all the parts of body, including the in various face packs and face creams. human brain. This increases focus and Using mung bean as a scrub is also a sharpens your memory as well. good option. 12. Increases immunity: Iron in mung 3.Bestows shine to hair: Copper, beans helps in increasing the immunity which is present in mung beans power in the human body. This in traces, is an essential mineral immunity booster eases muscles and for maintaining scalp health. It tissues, which in turn makes the WBC’s ensures the proper utilisation of iron, in the blood more active. This gives our calcium and magnesium in human body the natural strength to fight off body. Consumption of mung beans infections replenishes the body with required amounts of copper. This ensures that 13. Anti-toxic benefits:Toxicity is a iron does its work efficiently. Proper recipes. This often plays a very serious problem and can have long supply of oxygen to the brain maintains important part of recovery. lasting side-effects including ulcers and the health of scalp, giving you shiny, cancer. You can keep your body free long, strong and thick hair! 7. Bone strengthener: Mung bean of toxins by the consumption of mung can be used as a natural calcium beans. It maintains the circulatory 4. Metabolic regulator: Many people supplement. It maintains bone health health of the body as well. with poor metabolism suffer from and can keep you safe from fractures indigestion and acidity. Mung beans as well. 14. Anti-cancerous benefits:Mung are rich in fiber and increase the beans keep free radicals under control. digestive rate of the human body. They 8. Slimming food: A 100 gram serving These free radicals can be an outcome are responsible for increasing the of mung beans offers only 330 of anything like pollution, stress, overall metabolic rate in humans as calories, making it one of the healthiest unhealthy snacking and toxicity in body. well. ways to lose weight. They have the ill-fate of interfering with normal cell growth. Abnormal cell 5. Cholesterol controller: Mung 9. Maintains gum health: Other than growth can even lead to cancer. Mung beans increase the digestive and calcium, mung bean is also rich in bean, which is a natural suppressor of metabolic rate of human body, which sodium. Sodium is needed for the free radicals, is a good option to keep in turn decreases the formation health of our gums and teeth. Gum cancer at bay. and accumulation of cholesterol in problems like pain, reddening, foul the arterial walls and capillaries. odour, gum bleeding and weakness 15. Sugar controller: Mung beans Incorporating mung beans in your can be prevented with the consumption increase the formation of friendly diet will keep cholesterol based heart of this sodium rich food item. sugars and discourage the formation of diseases at bay. bad sugars in the human body. Friendly 10. Regulates blood pressure: It is a sugar or fruit sugar is easily digestible 6. Light meal: People suffering from proven fact that mung beans are fat and does not circulate in blood. It is fever, stomach ache and diarrhoea find controllers and regulators. Moreover, easily convertible to ATP. Consumption it difficult to digest food. Mung bean the presence of large amount of of mung beans is a very efficient way to is one food item that can be digested magnesium makes it a very potent regulate sugar metabolism in the body very easily and can also be moulded BP regulator. It maintains the level of and can even prevent diabetes. to make a few mouth-tempting light magnesium in the blood. Magnesium Continued to page 5 Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 5 ICT based sesame spot market information delivery piloted In Ethiopia, it is often difficult to get and generates the highest, lowest, on sesame price. “On average, we get reliable information on the supply, and weighted average price for a given approximately 85 new calls and 109 demand and prices of agricultural moment. This information has been return calls per day into the system,” products. Efforts have been made to subsequently made available to the said Mr. Gideon Abate, Apposit PLC provide ICT based sesame market public via Short Message Service manager. He added, if the number of information by ECX. However, this does (SMS) or an Interactive Voice Response spot market from which we collect and not seem to help sesame farmers (IVR) message upon request. disseminate sesame price information make informed decisions to determine increases these numbers will definitely selling time and price because the It has proved a huge hit since it was increase. information availed by ECX is the launched in January 2017. More than market price information at national 25,000 farmers have called 8338 on Mr. Minale Ejigu who approves the level. There is always a difference their cell phones to get information information for the system from North between national and spot market Gondar zone TIMDD said: “Spot market sesame prices. Finding sesame spot sesame price information were not market price information has therefore available to sesame producers in been difficult for long. Farmers largely the past. The department has been rely on word of mouth information trying to provide spot market sesame which may not often be reliable. price information by announcing on notice boards, but it was not as such Taking this reality into account, Benefit- effective This new practice greatly SBN in collaboration with North Gondar benefited farmers and traders by zone Trade, Industry and Market providing access to nearby spot market Development Department (TIMDD) sesame price information twice a day. and Apposit PLC piloted spot market It has helped farmers make informed sesame price information delivery to decisions” farmers using cell phones. The pilot was done for two consecutive years. In Mr. Minale added farmers can get 2016 in one spot market while in 2017 information in other informal means in eight spot markets. but that is not always reliable and timely. “Farmers are happy on the The hotline (8338), created by Apposit service. Whenever there is connection Mr. Minale Ejigu, speaking about sesame PLC was operated together with TIMDD. spot market information availing system problem and the system is out of work I The data collection of selected spot receive lots of calls. I was pretty busy in market prices has been done via an “...This new practice greatly benefited the last four months answering farmers Android-based application, namely farmers and traders by providing calls from all the eight spot markets Open Data Kit (ODK). The information access to nearby spot market sesame in the fiveworedas . “This system has collected has been uploaded to the price information twice a day. It been recognised by the bureau from TERRA platform which analyses the has helped farmers make informed federal to regional level and we want to data. It computes the uploaded prices decisions.” scale it up to more spot markets.”

... continued from page 4 ensures proper growth in humans. 20. Liver protection: Proteins are not It contains a natural blend of all just essential for bone and muscle 16. Maintains eye health: Mung vitamins and minerals necessary to health, they also protect the liver beans are loaded with the eye- friendly trigger the growth of hormones in against damage. Mung beans are one vitamin i.e., Vitamin C. A natural anti- the body. Instead of trying artificial of the best sources of proteins for oxidant, Vitamin C helps the retina growth supplements, one can consume vegetarians. You must consume mung maintain its flexibility. mung bean as a growth controller and beans every day to keep your liver safe. promoter. Proteins ensure the proper functioning 17. Anti-viral agent: Vitamin C makes of bilirubin and biliverdin in liver and mung bean a very powerful anti- 19. Blood clotting: Injuries sometimes keep the liver safe from jaundice. viral agent. Vitamin C increases the leads to bleeding. Fortunately, our production of WBC’s under a viral blood clots quickly and ensures that no All the above-listed mung bean benefits attack. The increased WBC count further blood is lost. However, irregular make mung bean the super hero of destroys viruses and keeps the body and insufficient amount of Vitamin K nutritional food items. safe. Iron in mung beans increases upsets the process of clotting. This the potency of WBC and Vitamin C can be a life-threatening situation too. increases their count. Mung beans are natural sources of Source: http://www.stylecraze.com/ Vitamin K and can help your body in articles/amazing-benefits-of-mung-beans/ 18. Promotes growth: Stunted growth times of need. in children is a cause of concern for mothers. Mung bean promotes and Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 6 Meliete: a janitor, shopkeeper and cook is an exemplary woman who does multiple jobs to change her subsistence life For the last 10 years Meliete Tadesse, People who came to the market saw 38, has been working as a janitor for my cooking demonstrations and get Tselemti woreda office of agriculture. some knowledge and skills.” She, The meagre salary that she gets from however, does this only few times. She her work is not enough for her to lead is interested to teach cooking skills to her life. She said: “I have a limited others, but it is too costly for her to buy income from my work as a janitor. I get food staff and demonstrate cooking by only a salary of 600 ETB per month. her own. To do this she needs support This is not enough. I am trying to do from other bodies. different activities to supplement my income.” Though Meliete can cook different kinds of dishes, currently she is not To support her subsistent life, Meliete doing it well. She said the work is has been looking for different options profitable but she is not as such for work. One action that she has benefited. This is mainly because she is taken is starting a small business in living in Tselemti, a very small town in a kiosk on the side of the main road which most people do not get used to at Tselemti. She started to buy goods the dishes that she makes. What she is such as sugar, coffee, mung bean, doing right now is that she buys the raw candy, soap, detergents, packed water mung bean seeds from the market, and etc. from the wholesalers and resell Meliete Taddesse, reselling cookies and does some little value addition and sell to the users in a small shop made of goods in her small shop mung bean and soya bean flour in her shipping container. of food.” I cook more than 22 kinds of shop. “I buy mung bean and soya bean dishes. From soya bean I bake bread, from the market with 4 ETB per cup. As she is leading a lonely life there is injera (staple food in Ethiopia), cookies, Then I do some cleaning then grind it no one to support her in running the bread-stick. I also make soya milk, by taking it to the mill house. and sell small business. She therefore opens shiro (stew) and others. I cook both 1kg flour with 10 ETB.” She gets better her small kiosk after work. This alone local/traditional and modern dishes. profit from ashiro and cookies which did not help her to improve her income she produced from soya bean. and change her life. “...cooking and the small business I make out of it changed my life to “I could say that cooking and the small Before she comes to Tselemti, Meliete some extent. I get a relatively better business I make out of it changed my used to live in Asmera. She used to income and be able to buy some life to some extent. I get a relatively cook different kinds of dishes there. furniture for my house....” better income and be able to buy some Six years ago, Meliete got the chance Being happy with what she has learnt furniture for my house. My future plan to further improve her cooking skills. from the training, Meliete has tried is to get further training on cooking and She said: “I got the chance and I to share her skills to those who are marketing. I would like to improve my was trained on how to cook different interested to learn how to cook in the cooking skills and be a professional kinds of dishes from rice, soya bean area. “With the support of Maytsebri cook. I also want to train others.” and mung bean by one ferenje with agricultural research institute, I shared Meliete wants to work in a border skill the support of Maytsebri Agricultural my knowledge and skills in some rural but she does not have an initial capital. Research Centre. I have also got areas. I went to market places and “If I get many I could buy different additional trainings in Maichew and bake cookies and breads; make soya utensils, work in a better way and Humera on how to cook different kinds milk from mung bean and soya bean. change myself and others.” Benefit- SBN advisory board meeting held Benefit- SBN advisory board meeting learnt in 2016 followed by presentation activities promised to follow up and act was held on the 2nd of March 2017 at of 10 key strategic issues for the on the action points. Addis Ababa. The meeting was held improvement of the sesame sector. with the objective of exchanging on During and after the two presentations, 14 committee members from Amhara SBN stakeholders’ and Benefit- SBN the strategic issues were discussed, and Tigray Region Agricultural Research achievements and lessons learnt in focal points were suggested and Institutes and their respective Gondar 2016; discussing key challenges and action points were defined. Among and Humera Agricultural Research strategic issues for 2017 and beyond; the strategic issues, priority was Centres (HuARC and GARC), Tigray and formulating guidelines and action given to kebele planning, machinery Bureau of Agriculture and Benefit- SBN points for improving the performances and mechanisation, national sesame attended the one day meeting. in 2017. business platform, rural finance and integrated soil fertility management. Participants decided to organise The meeting started with presentation Advisory board committee members, the next advisory board meeting on on the achievements and lessons who become focal persons for different September 2017. Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 7 Kebele- level agro- economic development planning In collaboration with SBN stakeholders, participated in workshops organised Adijamus, Lemlem, Bademe, Selam, Benefit SBN has started to pilot kebele- at Gendewuha and Gondar in Amhara Dedebit, May-timket from Tigray region. level agro- economic development region and Sheraro, Humera and Shire strategy in a bid to improve the in Tigray region. The three parties will work together adoption rate of 20 steps improved for the proper implementation of the sesame agricultural practices. The pilot kebeles are Bambaho, kebele-level agro-economic plan. The Dubaba, Kokit, Kumer-Aftit, Sanja, fact that the committees in some Studies and previous years’ Asherie, Ergoye, Seroka, Abrhajira 01, sample kebeles put the seal of the experiences show that adoption of Midregent 01, Kebtle and Simada from three organisations in their collective good agricultural practices is not going Amhara region; and Dansha Zuria, plan shows that they are determined to as expected. Unavailability of credit, Lekatit, Maykadra, Adebay, Maygaba, work in close collaboration. shortage of finance, lack of improved agricultural mechanisations especially lack of row planter, remoteness of the kebeles from the basic supports etc. are among the major reasons for the low level of adoption.

The new strategy requires the teaming up of tripartite, namely, development agents/kebele administration, model farmer/farmers’ primary cooperatives and microfinance institution/loan committees. Piloting of the strategy has already been started in 24 kebeles: two per woreda.

The strategy helped kebeles to design their own plan by taking into account the different realities of their localities. In the last week of April and beginning Part of the planning is mapping the kebele: the three parties of May 2017 stakeholders from the from Kokit drawing their kebele map three groups came together and Selet Hulling and Benefit- SBN collaboration for better results In an attempt to improve the business three quintals per hectare. The trials looking for alternative solutions to operations of the Ethiopian-Dutch Selet Hulling did, showed that NPK protect the sesame from pests and joint venture, Selet Hulling Plc, a (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) diseases. It tested different rates of processor and exporter of organically treatment was the most promising Pyrethrum, as this is one of the few certified hulled sesame and Benefit- one, compared to EM (Effective Micro- organic solutions available in Ethiopia SBN support programme, agreed to organisms) fermented, and 9% N. Use to tackle the sesame seed bug. It was collaborate on three topics in 2016. of compost was also tested and this found that 16ml – 1 litre water was the The topics were: doing research seemed to have a positive effect on the best ratio for killing sesame seed bugs, on inputs for organic production, soil drainage capacity, preventing water whereas 14ml – 1 litre water ratio expanding sourcing activities in logging situations. was killing more pests in general. A Northwest Ethiopia and innovating downside noticed is that the pesticide traceability at field level. Row planting was conducted cannot be stored long in hot areas like in Maykadra and this activity Humera, as it will lose its effectiveness. In 2016, the company had contract demonstrated a minimum of 70% yield farming arrangements with two increase, compared to broadcasting. The final activity Selet Hulling primary cooperatives in Kafta Humera Another observation made by Selet undertook with the support of Benefit- woreda. All activities were conducted Hulling was that farmers usually plough SBN was labelling the sesame bags of without-grower farmers in Baeker and their farm one or twices, while three organic producers at field level already. Maykadra kebeles. times ploughing allows for good seed This to avoid adulteration after harvest bed preparation. as bags were supposed to be labelled Research on inputs for organic right after threshing. The activity was production was a key element of the Selet Hulling’s out-growers sometimes considered helpful to the company. collaboration. The organic producers do apply chemicals to protect their yields, Some farmers, however, found it an not apply fertilisers (chemical fertiliser which makes the sesame unsuitable extra workload and labourers were is not allowed for organic production) for the company to purchase and asking more money to attach the labels and yields have been low; around process. The company is therefore to the bag. Issue 14 June 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 8 More than 7,000 smallholder farmers to be trained in financial literacy 7,140 smallholder sesame farmers Micro Finance Institutions, woreda improving the financial literacy training from 71 primary cooperatives in office of agriculture and cooperative tools and training strategy for 2017. Northwest Ethiopia will receive promotion offices heads participated financial literacy training which will help in the reflection session. What is more, A total of 7,750 (3250 Amharic and them record their costs in cash-book in depth reflection sessions were held 4,500 Tigregna languages) cash and calculate their profit/loss at the in seven kebeles in Amhara and nine recording manuals and 15,500 end of the production and marketing kebeles in Tigray regions. The feedback (6,500 Amharic and 9,000 Tigregna season. obtained during the reflection sessions languages) cash recording books have are taken into account while designing already been prepared and printed. Benefit- SBN in collaboration with nine the financial literacy training strategies The cash book manuals and recording farmers cooperate unions, namely, for 2017 and subsequent years. The books are ready to be distributed to the Metema, Selam and Admas from key lessons learned from the 2016 respective unions. Amhara region and Setit Humera, training are also taken as inputs for Dansha Aurora, Lelem Wolkaiet, Feleg, Hidassie Gidib and Tekeze farmer cooperative unions from Tigray region will organise ToT and other training sessions as of mid-June 2017.

In 2016, 1,040 farmers drawn from 52 primary cooperatives were trained in financial literacy. This year the plan was to reach 10,000 but after discussions with cooperatives it is decided to train 7,140 farmers.

To have a comprehensive assessment of the 2016 financial literacy training, a one day reflection session for the ToTs was organised in Gondar and Humera for Amhara and Tigray regions, respectively. In total, 138 participants from the two regions participated. Cash recording manuals, recording books, notebooks, calculators, and all other necessary Cooperative and unions leaders, materials have already been prepared for the scaling up of financial literacy training

Upcoming activities • Organising ToT and other training sessions on financial literacy • 20 steps with row planter demonstration at investor farmers plots • Conducting marginal rate of yield and return studies • Running rotation crops trial on Farmer Training Centres • Coaching and supporting farmers and development agents in their application of improved production technologies • Organising field days

Producer: Anteneh Mekuria Tesfaye

Inputs and contributions from Abraha, G; Andualem,T,; Hagos, T.; Oscar, G. and other Benefit- SBN team members

To subscribe to the online version of the SBN newsletter please contact: [email protected]

Sesame Business Network Newsletter Issue 15 September 2017

Record-keeping and calculating costs for better farm decisions About this newsletter ost farmers in Northwest Ethiopia do not do cost-benefit analysis The purpose of the SBN newsletter Mof their farm activities. This is is to provide relevant and timely mainly because of the fact that farmers information on the Sesame Business have limited or no habit of recording Network and its support programme- their income and expenses. In fact, some Benefit-SBN. farmers try to calculate their profitability depending on their memory. These farmers, however, either tend to forget the In this issue we highlight the major costs that they spent for some activities activities that have been taken place or they may not consider depreciation and between May and August 2017. family labour costs.

To address this challenge, Benefit-SBN support programme, in collaboration with nine farmer cooperative unions, has been rolling out financial literacy training in 12 sesame producer woredas of Amhara and Tigray regions. The main objective of this activity is to capacitate farmers on financial literacy so that they can record their costs Inside this issue in cash-books and calculate whether they get profit or loss from their farm activities. Record-keeping and calculating costs...... 2 Recording costs and incomes helps farmers to see their farm activity as Awareness creation and business; do cost benefit analysis and sensitisation event...... 2 make informed decisions for their future farm activities. This practice may also help Sesame row planter demonstration...3 farmers to present an accurate financial Above, ToT participants supporting one another at 9 Incredible benefits of sesame oil....4 overview of their farm business to formal Gendawuha; below training session at Shiraro loan providers, which may shorten the loan Continued to page 2 Sesame Open- unlocking the review process. potential of organic sesame...... 5 Labourers: the unsung heroes of the sesame sector Training on MRY experiment set up...6 Awareness creation and sensitisation event for labourers in the sesame zone n the sesame production seasons, that sesame. Labourers are especially highly involved in Piloting home garden for improving is from June to October, main squares of large numbers during weeding and harvesting times. nutrition and food security...... 6 the towns in the lowlands of Northwest I Crop rotation for sustainable Ethiopia have been inundated with In spite of their immense contribution, the attention sesame production...... 7 hundreds and thousands of labourers who given to labourers by farmers and other stakeholders have come there to earn money by working seems to be limited. However, labourers continue Field day at commercial farmer’s...... 7 in the sesame fields. It is estimated to be important in the sector due to the fact that that more than 500,000 labourers have mechanised farming has not yet been accepted and Weather forecast pilot for sesame been involved in the sesame production, adopted well. Without exaggeration, labourers are farmers...... 8 starting from land preparation to that the unsung heroes of the sesame sector. of harvesting, loading and unloading of Upcoming activities...... 8 Continued to page 3 Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 2

Record-keeping and calculating costs...... continued from page 1 What has been done? they incur. Almost all farmers are not Stakeholders involvement rawing lessons from the recording their costs. They do their valuation of last year performance experience of previous years activities in a very traditional way. This as well as planning and and working together with the training will help us change farmers implementation of the 2017 D traditional practice.” He further added: relevant stakeholders, this year’s E activities have been done together financial literacy rolling out activity has “I feel that I am trained very well and I with the relevant stakeholders such as been done differently. First, cashbook am going to share what I have learnt to farmers’ primary cooperatives, unions manuals and cash recording books farmers in my kebele”. and woreda cooperative promotion were improved. 7,750 manuals and offices (CPO). These contributed to 15,500 cost recoding books were the effective implementation and produced in Amharic and Tigrigna continuation of the activity. However, languages. Afterwards, 220 farmers not all relevant stakeholders were were trained as trainers in July equally committed. 2017. The topics covered were: cost recording, farm cash inflow and outflow; Some unions, primary cooperatives end balance; profit or loss, credit costs and offices of agriculture showed and stocks, decisions for next season limited participation and involvement. and in-depth farm analysis. In some woredas, the unions did not transfer the allocated budget to the Subsequently, the trained cooperative respective cooperatives on time; due to members went back to their localities this training sessions were organised a and trained over 7,000 farmers drawn bit late. Lack of commitment and staff from 71 cooperatives. Following the turnover are the reasons mentioned training peer-to-peer discussions have for the problems observed in unions. been organised to support farmers in It was also a challenge to get farmers the recoding. Emebet Bekele, a woman farmer who for training as they were busy with attended the training with 24 male their farm activities. Farmers were Participants feedback farmers in Swatamp kebele, Jawi complaining about the timing of both Farmers and their cooperatives have woreda, said: “Previously, I tried to the ToT workshop and other cascaded given positive feedback on the training remember my costs and compare with training sessions. and peer-to-peer discussions. what I gained but I often got confused. Since I was busy with different farm To ameliorate this situation, activities, I forget things. This year, discussions have been made however, based on the lessons that with woreda CPOs. Following the I have learnt, I have been recording discussions, focal persons have all my costs. It will be easier for me been assigned from the CPOs. Small to calculate my costs and see my budget has been allocated to motivate profitability at the end.” trainers. For some cooperatives, the programme contributed 50% budget Women farmers were involved in this to hire employees who will follow the innovative activity. Out of the 220 activities. Staff members from Benefit- trainers 39 were women and of the SBN have been closely following up the 7,000 trainees, 888 were women (769 progress of the activity and they are from Tigray and 119 from Amhara providing support to the focal persons regions). and trainers in all the woredas.

Mr. Awoke Nega, a sesame farmer from The efforts, however,are not enough. Sanja said though his wife was not In order to ensure success and Mr. Abera Abeyu, from Hayelom trained she is the one who registers sustainability of the programme, the Multi-purpose Cooperative, is one the costs that they incur for production unions, cooperatives and CPOs need of the participants of the ToT which activities in the family. to understand the fact that capacity was organised in Sheraro town. Mr. building of their farmer members in Abera said: “the training is very good As more women are showing interest, financial literacy will help strengthen as it helps us fill the gaps we have it is important for farmers cooperatives the cooperatives and unions in keeping records. In doing their to select more women in future themselves. agricultural activities, farmers are endeavours of scaling out the financial not giving attention to the costs that literacy training. Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 3

Labourers: Awareness creation and sensitisation event.... Mechanisation: Sesame row ...continued from page 1 planter demonstration ost if not all commercial farmers in Northwest Ethiopia do not Muse row planting for sesame. Time and again, the unavailability of appropriate row planter has been mentioned by commercial farmers as one main reason. Cognisant of this challenge, Gondar and Humera Agricultural Research Centres (GARC and HuARC) in collaboration with Benefit- SBN have been testing different row planters for the last three years. The testing was made together with farmers and other stakeholders. The Sffogea mechanical driller is found promising for sesame row planting and it has been demonstrated since last year.

Labourers at Kokit, watching films and following explanations In 2017 production season the three ery recently the labour and social informed on how to protect themselves parties demonstrated sesame row affairs offices of Kafta Humera, from malaria and contagious disease planter in some selected commercial VTsegede and Metema woredas such as acute diarrhoea and vomiting. sesame farmers’ fields in Northwest in collaboration with Benefit- SBN, What is more, labourers were Ethiopia. A total of 208-hectare land organised an awareness creation and informed about the practices that (150 in Amhara and 58 in Tigray sensitisation event on the importance need to be followed while applying regions) were row planted using the of labour and labourers in the sesame 20 steps sesame production. They Sffogea mechanical seed driller. Large sector. More than one thousand were also advised on how to resolve area has been covered compared to labourers attended the event which conflicts. They were told that they last year. In 2016, the row planter was organised in the squares of May- should approach the nearby police was demonstrated at 10 investor kadra and Dansha towns and over 150 and security centres when there are farmers plots covering a total of about labourers and other people attended disagreements with one another or 50 hectares. The reported yield last the event at Kokit. with employer farmers. year, especially in the Amhara side, was not as such promising mainly due In the events at May-kadra and Dansha, Likewise, in the event at Kokit, woreda to excessive and extended rainfall, the result of the labour study in the labour and social affairs experts water logging, failure to apply fertiliser sesame sector, which was carried out voiced messages regarding the duties following the recommendation; wind by Benefit-SBN in 2015, was presented. and responsibilities of labourers and damage and labour shortage for The main challenges of labourers, precautions that labourers should weeding and harvesting. their working condition, farmers supply take when they come to the sesame and availability of food and clean sector. Explanation was given about the Dr. Geremew Terefe, Benefit- SBN water, shelter, transportation systems, duties and responsibilities of labourers national manager, said: “Sffogea health condition and health services, and farmers based on the labour mechanical seed driller is found to be contract agreements and payment, proclamation of the country. A brochure reliable, with high-efficiency in seed conflict resolution methods, etc. were which deals with the country’s labour drilling, adjustability, sowing low seed highlighted in the presentations. regulations was distributed to the rate, less sophistication, efficiency and Representatives from Kafta Humera audience. perfect sowing in all soil types. The and Tsegede woreda offices of labour technology is accessible to medium and social affairs, health, police and In all the three places, a short footage and large-size farms. It could also be security presented speeches on issues which depicts the working and living a good business model for individuals, such as legal procedures in signing conditions of labourers was shown to companies, farmers cooperatives or contracts, what is expected from both participant labourers. In between the unions with entrepreneur’ mindset.” the farmers’ who host labourers and event, participants were entertained by from the labourers themselves. watching and listening music. To show the performance of the row planter further GARC and HuARC Regarding health labourers were Although this is an encouraging start, a together with Benefit- SBN have been informed on the prevalent disease in lot more remains to be done to support organising field visites to commercial the low land areas, their transmission labourers who are one of the most farmers, agricultural professionals, methods, symptoms and prevention important stakeholders in the sector. government officials and other methods etc. They were specifically Continued to page 5 Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 4 9 Incredible benefits of sesame oil In this column, we have been sharing with you important information on sesame cuisine and research findings on the important benefits of sesame and rotation crops. We will keep on sharing with you what we have read about the benefits of sesame and major rotation crops. This time, we would like draw your attention to the nine health benefits of sesame oil. esame oil has gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years. It Sis most commonly used in Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian dishes, as well as Middle Eastern cuisine. The impressive amount of vitamins, minerals, organic compounds, and other beneficial components in sesame oil is why it is considered so healthy, but let’s take a closer look at what health benefits can actually be enjoyed when you add sesame oil to your diet!

Hair Health: Sesame oil has traditionally been used to improve the health of hair. It can help to darken body, meaning that by maintaining an and that essential mineral is directly hair colour and also eliminate hair loss. appropriate level of sesame oil in your linked to lowered chances of colorectal Furthermore, the anti-bacterial effects diet, you can help increase the rate of cancer. The calcium content is also of sesame oil can help to eliminate any bone growth and development, as well very beneficial for preventing colon of the pathogens or foreign bodies that as speed up any healing or regrowth of cancer. can attack your scalp or hair. bones as well. As you get older, sesame oil can help you avoid various age- Circulation and Metabolism: High Skin Health: Sesame oil is rich in zinc, related weaknesses of the bones. copper and zinc content mean that the one of the most important minerals for Anxiety and Depression: Tyrosine is an body is able to function at its optimal your skin. It can increase skin elasticity amino acid that is found in relatively levels, mainly because copper is and smoothness, helping to reduce high quantities in sesame oil. Tyrosine required for the production of red blood the appearance of age spots and has been directly connected to cells. With the significant percent of eliminate skin conditions, including serotonin activity and release in the copper in sesame oil, your body is sure premature aging. Sesame oil can also brain, which can help boost mood by to get the right amount of blood flowing be used as a sunscreen because it flooding the body with enzymes and to the organs and tissues, ensuring creates a protective layer on the skin, hormones that make a person feel a healthier and more high-energy which is another way of protecting the happy. In other words, when you are lifestyle! body from foreign substances that get suffering from anxiety or depression, in through the skin. In some cultures, sesame oil can help give you a positive Inflammation:Copper is a naturally sesame oil has even been used to treat boost in the right direction and turn anti-inflammatory substance, and the fungal diseases on the skin. your mood around! high levels of copper found in sesame oil can help to reduce the inflammation Heart Health: Like most vegetable oils, Oral Health: Sesame oil is highly and discomfort of various conditions sesame oil is so helpful and delicious recommended by dental professionals such as gout and arthritis. It reduces in foods because of its fatty acid because of a process called oil pulling, the swelling of joints and strengthens content. Sesame oil contains a wide which involves putting oil in your mouth the bones and blood vessels, helping range of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and then swishing it around before to keep your frame strong and sturdy including sesamol and sesamin. This spitting it out. With sesame oil, this for many years, without that painful can keep the cardiovascular system process has been directly linked to inflammation. balanced and keeps cholesterol levels whiter teeth, lower levels of dental low. It can also drop the cholesterol plaque, and protection against certain A Final Word of Caution: If you are levels that the body already has, streptococcus mutants that can make taking anti-coagulant or blood-thinning thereby reducing atherosclerosis. This us very ill. The powerful anti-bacterial medications, then you should speak means that you are better protected effects of this oil are the main cause of with your doctor before adding sesame from heart attacks and strokes if you this boost in dental health. oil to your diet. It lowers your blood add sesame oil to your diet. pressure and thins the blood as it is, so Prevent Cancer: Sesame oil contains combining those could be potentially Bone Growth: There are many an organic compound called phytate, dangerous. important minerals that can be found which has been directly linked to in sesame oil, particularly copper, zinc, a reduction in the development of Source: https://www.medidart.com/ and calcium. These three minerals cancer. Furthermore, the magnesium resources/health-benefits-of-sesame-oil.html are integral to bone growth in the levels in sesame oil are unusually high, Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 5 Sesame Open- unlocking the potential of organic sesame he Middle-Eastern folk tale collection ‘One and A Thousand Tnights’ tells the story of a poor wood cutter who discovers a secret phrase that allows him to open a magically sealed door behind which great treasures are hidden. This secret phrase is ‘Sesame Open!’. Just like in the fairy tale, we hope that the ‘Sesame Open’ project will serve as a key to unlock the potential that lies in Northwest Ethiopia regarding organic sesame production.

‘Sesame Open’ is a public private partnership that was launched in January 2017. It will continue until the end of 2020 and is partly supported by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. Training on organic fertiliser production (development of value adding 1. Soil fertility improvement, row The objective of this project is to propositions, innovative processing planting, testing of sesame build up a knowledge base and to of waste streams, e.g. for energy varieties, rotation crops, pest and implement innovations that (1) support generation). To create the best possible disease management and post- the development of a competitive, conditions for the cross- sectoral harvest handling and storage sustainable and inclusive organic success of this project, we are working 2. New cooperatives supplying to sesame value chain and (2) impact together with different stakeholders Selet Hulling, price setting and risk on the sesame sector in Northwest here in Ethiopia such as local research sharing, chain-embedded services, Ethiopia at large resulting from the centres and the Sesame Business marketing of rotation crops sharing and scaling of innovations, Network, as well as with our project 3. Added value to crop residues, practices and results. The three partners in the Netherlands. added value to side flows of main interrelated topics for which sesame processing, proteins, innovation is required are growth The project is divided into three work healthy and functional ingredients (optimisation of organic sesame packages: 1) Organic yield improvement; production by application of best 2) Professionalising cooperative and This is just to give an over-all agricultural practices, mechanisation, farm management and 3) Development impression of the scope of this project, improved post-harvest handling, etc.) of new value adding propositions. continuous updates on the project chain integration (enhanced farmer- activities as well as an introduction of company relations including e.g. In this first project year, we focus on the our team and operation area will follow entrepreneurial capacity development) following main topics under each of the in the coming newsletter issues. and added value generation work packages.

Mechanisation: Sesame row planter... .continued from page 3 stakeholders and partners. Mr. application- 65 kg Urea per hectare Mezgebu Abraha, a commercial was applied (half at planting and the farmer from Delelo, Metema other half before the flowering stages). woreda appreciated the row planter. He said: “the row planter Meanwhile, other sesame row planters reduced the labour cost. Using for medium scale farmers, single a tractor without the row planter plough, ripper/sub-soiler, cultivator does have additional costs for and leveller have been tested in labour- for seed broadcasting, collaboration with Rhea Composites fertiliser application and food.” Company from the Netherlands. He is, however, concerned on Furthermore, a hand operated sesame the seed rate used during row and teff row planter was tested planting. He said it was high. bought the row planter and others have together with Aybar Engineering PLC. This problem was recognised by shown interest to purchase this seed driller. researchers and he hopes that These and other concerted efforts this will be improved in the future. Out of the 150-hectare land row planted in are believed to improve the limited or the Amhara side, 45 hectares were planted no use of mechanised farming in the After seeing the demonstrations, using Gondar-1, a newly sesame variety Northwest Ethiopia. two commercial farmers already released by GARC and the new fertiliser Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 6 Training on MRR experiment set up and management agricultural professionals drawn from North Gondar zone sesame producing woredas were 82 trained on marginal rate of yield return (MRY) treatment set up and management techniques. The objective of the training was to capacitate agricultural experts so that they can design and manage the treatment in a very professional way.

Together with GARC and HuARC and woreda offices of agriculture, Benefit-SBN run MRR experiment to have scientific evidence on the marginal rate of yield for selected critical steps of the 20 steps sesame production guide; and/ or the marginal loss of yield because of non-application of certain critical steps. In addition to the methods of conducting MRY trails, participants were trained on the 20 steps improved sesame production package, improved production techniques Training participants while practicing of rotation crops and meteorology- weather forecast pilot for layout of the experiment following the necessary producers- sesame farmers- weather parameters and how to record rain selecting the proper site for the plots, delineating the area gauges readings. required, dividing the block based on the design, making rows, applying seed and fertiliser and recording data. In the training, attention was given to the layout of the experiment and data collection methods. Discussion was also The result or the information on MRY on investment will be made on the main challenges encountered during conducting used not only to provide tailored advice to farmers on how they the 2016 MRY experiment. Also, the 2017 MRY plan, design can get highest yields and returns but also to provide research and data collection methods was presented and discussed. based information to policy makers so that they could come up with strategies that could help enhance farmers’ adoption of Participants went to the field and practiced in setting up the improved sesame production technologies.

Piloting home garden for improving nutrition and food security in the sesame dominated production system, Northwest Ethiopia ome garden is relatively small Northwest Ethiopia, Benefit- SBN and fruits or vegetables as a staple plot of land, mainly around its partners have a plan to introduce food, perhaps because of Hhomestead allotted for growing home gardening to the area in 2017 perceived costs. varied vegetables and fruits that and 2018 crop seasons as a pilot. • A home garden gives access to contribute to improvements in the For this pilot study, Tsegede woreda fresh produce. It saves women nutritional status and food security of from Tigray and Metema woreda from time, transportation cost in going household members. In tropical areas Amhara regions are selected. The to market and back home; it also like the Northwest Ethiopia, gardens can experience gained and lessons learned saves money spent on the food support a wide variety of annual and from the pilot study will be used for itself. perennial crops and trees that adapt further scaling up to other woredas. For • A backyard garden opens up new well to local micro-climates and can be now, we would like to share with you flavouring options or recipes maintained with a limited amount of what we have got from our readings • Growing vegetables in the garden efforts and inputs. about the advantages of establishing a gives complete control over the home garden: chemicals and products used Producing and consuming fruits and • Home garden contributes to food during the growing process. vegetables provides the households production in an environmentally • It allows to pick the produce when with direct access to important nutrients friendly manner and make it is ripe and fresh, unlike produce and increases the diversity of foods. available a variety of fresh and at the store that is often harvested It also improves palatability of other nutritious food products such as before it is fully ripe. foods and increases food intake; vegetables, fruits, spices, roots • A compost pile allows to recycle and address multiple micro-nutrient and tubers that contain adequate certain kitchen and yard waste deficiencies. Most importantly, home micro- and macro- nutrients. products into a nutrient-rich gardens generate additional income for • Home gardens are increasingly organic fertiliser. the family through the sale of a surplus important as source of income for • Taking care and watching produce. It is important in overcoming poor households in peri-urban and the garden offers a sense of seasonal in-availability of foods and urban areas, thereby elevating the satisfaction and enjoyment for promotes household self-sufficiency. family’s standard of living. the grower and may result in • Vegetable gardens are particularly admiration and recognition by the In order to improve the nutritional status advantageous for low-income society (Parker et al., 2007). of households in the sesame dominated groups, who don't identify fresh Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 7 Crop rotation for sustainable sesame production oil depletion is one of the negative effects observed in SNorthwest Ethiopia mainly due to sesame mono-cropping. Maintaining soil fertility is therefore the main challenge in agricultural production. Crop rotation plays an important role in replenishing soil nutrients. That is why Benefit-SBN together with GARC and HuARC and woreda offices of agriculture run rotational crops trials since 2014.

In 2017 production season, the crop rotation trial was carried out in all the 12 SBN woredas. The trials have been conducted in a total of 61 farmer Mung bean is performing well in Bereket and many other places training centres (30 sites in Tigray and 31 in Amhara). Demonstration plots mung bean, in most farmer training marketing of rotation crops. were planted with four crop species, centres is very good. Soya bean is also namely, sesame, mung bean, sorghum, performing well in most places but it Benefit-SBN has been working with and soya bean. was a bit challenged in Tigray where different partners including 2SCALE, there was erratic rainfall. ENTAG and other private companies to In all sites, the experiment was done improve market problems for rotational under rain fed condition. Development Farmers, who have visited the rotation crops. Parallel to the trials and agents and Benefit- SBN agronomic crop trials at farmer training centres demonstrations, potential buyers have coaches have been following up the appreciated the stand of crops and been identified especially for sorghum treatments. Thus far, the performance would like to see the yield at the end and soya bean so that farmers can of the trial and the adaptability of of the production season. Farmers, sell their produce through their the crops, especially sorghum and however, expressed their concern on cooperatives.

Field day at commercial farmer’s field Mr. Gashaw Worku, an agronomist who manages Mr. Mulualem’s field explained all the improved production steps that they followed thus far. Gashaw said: “We have used the improved sesame production technologies in 12. 6 hectares of land in collaboration with GARC, ATA and Benefit-SBN.” He added: “Planting was made using the Sffogea mechanical seed driller pulled by a tractor. Practices such as land preparation, thinning and weeding have been performed on time and properly. The sesame field is now in its flowering stage and we will keep on applying the recommended practice for each Farmers, visiting flowering sesame field activity.” commercial farmer from Mirab Mr. Mulualem Milmile, who is a Armachiho Woreda organised commercial sesame farmer in Mirab At the end of the field visit, discussions field day for his fellow commercial Armachiho woreda, invited more than were made at the commercial farmer’s A camp. Participants expressed their farmers, administrators, agricultural 70 individuals to his field with the experts, and officials fromworeda intention of showing the performance appreciation to Mr. Mulualem and office of agriculture, researchers from of the sesame cultivated using his agronomist Gashaw for their GARC and representatives from ATA and improved production technologies. concern to support other farmers by Benefit-SBN on the 26th of August 2017. While participants are visiting the field, demonstrating the improved sesame production technologies. Issue 15 September 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 8 Weather forecast pilot for sesame farmers of this weather information sesame ne of the main problems in farmers and agricultural professionals the sesame production zone are able to mitigate risk and create in Northwest Ethiopia is resilience. Consequently, they will be O able to increase yields and improve their unpredicted weather. Every year the area experiences different weather livelihoods, year after year. conditions. Due to this huge amount of yield loss had been recorded. Studies Monitoring and validation of the forecast show that yield of sesame is associated will be done two times in the season. with rainfall amount and distribution. First observation shows that most of In addition, high yield loss occurs due the farmers, agricultural experts and to the prevalence of high wind during researchers are using the weather hilla stalking. All these losses would forecast SMS to perform different not have happened if there had been agronomic practices. For example, Mr. localised weather forecast for farmers Asefa G/eyesus, a farmer at Mideregenet, own kebele. Lack of localised weather kebele-02, West Armachiho woreda, forecast leads farmers not to plan their explained that the forecast is almost farm activities ahead of time according similar with what he observed. Based on to the situation. the information, he was able to determine sowing date and weeding time. Likewise, To address these challenges, was organised to woreda and kebele Mr. Gashaw Worku, an agronomist for the Benefit-SBN in collaboration with agricultural experts on the meaning investor farmers at West Armachiho, said CommonSense, Apposit PLC and and interpretation of the forecast. The the weather information helped him to Ethiopian National Meteorology training was given by Benefit- SBN and inspect pest and disease outbreak and Agency (NMA) planned to provide NMA. Apposit PLC is responsible for top dressing of Urea. Metema agricultural localised weather forecast to farmers delivering the SMS. research station manager also via short message service (SMS). appreciated the weather forecast being For piloting this activity Benefit-SBN The SMS has been send with accurate and helped them to protect registered more than 1,520 weather 8338 number two times per week. their trails by making draining structures, forecast recipient farmers, woreda The SMS contains the next three reduce application of pesticide and top and kebele agricultural experts days rain chance and amount, dressing of Urea application. and researchers. It also took GPS temperature average, maximum coordinates from kebeles or localities. and minimum and wind speed(see Despite this, some users raised points CommonSense has been providing the picture above. Each farmer has of improvement for next season. They the weather forecast since June 2017 been receiving a localised weather said it is important to indicate specific with the approval of NMA. Before forecast for his/her own kebele since dates. Others also suggested to include the start of the pilot ToT workshop the start of sowing. With the help seasonal forecast in the SMS. Upcoming activities • Regional sesame field days • Showing mobile cinemas for labourers • Gathering data on weather information • Following up MRY and MRR trials • Coaching and supporting development agents and farmers • Following up the progress of row planted fields in commercial farmers fields • Following up financial literacy activities • Facilitating guaranty fund for farmers cooperative unions and cooperatives

Contact us: For more information, questions and comments you can contact us through: [email protected] More information about the SBN and its support programme can also be found on the SBN website: http://www. sbnethiopia.org You can also find us on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SBNEthiopia Twitter: https://twitter.com/SBNEthiopia

Producer: Anteneh Mekuria

Contributions and inputs: Dr. Geremew, T.; Melesew, M.; Atakilti, F. ; Jenny L.; Getasew, A.; Andualem, T.; Aregawi, G.; Gezu, S. and from other Benefit- SBN team members

To subscribe to the online version of the SBN newsletter please contact: [email protected]

Sesame Business Network Newsletter Issue 16 December 2017

The new sesame market price starts way better than last year’s About this newsletter

The purpose of the SBN newsletter is to provide relevant and timely information on the Sesame Business Network and its support programme- Benefit-SBN.

In this issue we highlight the major activities that have been taken place between September and December 2017.

n many areas of Northwest Ethiopia, the It is estimated that the sesame produce of 2017 sesame production season seemed Ethiopia is about 3,500,000 quintal which is a Ito show positive results. In fact, problems 15% increase from last year. such as pests and disease infestation, wind, hail and unexpected rain during hilla Along with the production and productivity, stacking affected some areas such as the quality of the new sesame produce is Inside this issue Humera, May-kadra, Selferedi, Hagereselam also rather better. Both farmers and traders etc. Although these challenges affect farmers appreciate the quality of this year’s sesame. The new sesame market price.....2 sesame produce, by and large, many sesame Some say the reason for the improved quality is farmers in Northwest Ethiopia experienced as a result of farmers use of improved sesame Sesame farmers receive 10.67 a normal production season. Yield and production technologies. While others contend ETB million...... 3 quality of sesame is relatively better than the previous years. Continued to page 2 Mieable Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative...... 4

Sesame farmers receive 10.67 ETB million credit from CBO GARC achieves better results ccess to input and marketing credit to four primary cooperatives. The pilot was in 2017...... 5 is one of the key challenges facing successful in terms of reducing farmers’ Athe sesame (sub) sector in Northwest cost of production, supplying large volumes Mechanisation...... 6 Ethiopia. To meet this challenge, in 2016, of sesame to cooperatives; increasing sales Agriterra, together with Cooperative Bank transaction of cooperatives; providing farmers HuARC strives to create of Oromia (CBO) and Benefit-SBN, piloted better opportunities to sell at a higher price; access to improved seeds...... 6 an innovative financing arrangement that and improving relationship of farmers with integrates production credit to farmers with their cooperatives as well as cooperatives with Regional sesame field marketing credit to their organisations. the bank. It has also helped cooperatives to days held...... 7 generate internal capital by selling share to Agriterra provided a guarantee fund of existing and new members and increase their PICS bags help to reduce ETB 2 million to CBO, which facilitated membership size. post-harvest losses...... 8 access to ETB 4 million production credit to 1,571 (69% male and 31% female) Continued to page 3 Upcoming activities...... 8 sesame farmers and marketing credit Issue16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 2

...The new sesame market price Continued from page 1 that the quality is improved because Mr. Hadushe is impressed with the than the existing price.” Mrs Alemitu of the good weather. In many places, quality of sesame this year. He said: feels sorry for those farmers in May- there were no heavy rain and water “The quality is very nice this year. I kadra area, whose sesame produce logging problems in the production took what I have bought four times to has been affected by heavy wind. She and harvesting seasons and this the ECX market and all the time it has expects that the good market price will contributes to the better quality. been given grade 2.” He said: “farmers support farmers. are improving their practice and the Though not as such exciting for production season was also very good.” producer farmers, this year’s sesame market is also way better than the Mrs Alemitu Ambaw is a woman previous years. In comparison with sesame farmer who produced sesame last year, sesame market starts with on five hectares in 2017. She said as fair and reasonable price. In most spot a woman it was difficult to handle all markets the price for the new sesame the labour intensive farm activities produce started around 1,500 ETB per by herself. Due to this she worked quintal last year. This year’s market with another farmer and shared the price, however, starts with 2,800 ETB produce with him. She said from the per quintal which is nearly double. five hectares the two of them harvested The currency devaluation as of last 20 quintals. 17 quintals from the two October, however, does not make this hectare which they planted earlier in price as such exciting. the season. However, from the other three hectares they did not get much. They have got only three quintals. This Mr. Yeshewas Gedefaw, speaking on the is because they planted the sesame current sesame market price very late, in July 19. From the 20 quintal she has got 10 for herself. In Mr. Yeshewas Gedefaw, marketing late November, she supplied three officer at Kokit spot market, said the quintals to her cooperative with 2,880 spot market was opened since the ETB per quintal. She plans to sell the 22nd of October 2017. Within four remaining seven quintals later. weeks, 53,795 quintal sesame was traded in the spot market. He added She said: “I was not benefited last this year’s price is good for farmers. year but thanks to God I am happy The price started by 2,825ETB per now because I am profitable this time. quintal. It started by 1,600 ETB last This year the production seasson year in the same period. He added the was relatively good. Labour and other quality is also good but farmers do not production costs were reasonable. seem to be happy. Due to high cost of Mr. Hadushe Gueshe, speaking on the The quality of the sesame is also very production and devaluation of birr, they current sesame market price good. Compared to last year the market expecte more than the current price. Mr. Hadushe Gueshe, who has been price is fair and reasonable. However, working as a trader in Adebay spot I expect more. I am expecting higher Though farmers are not yet satisfied market for the last four years, said this as such, yield and quality of sesame is year’s sesame market price is very relatively improving in 2017. Condusive good for farmers. He believed that he weather conditions coupled with some and his fellow traders are not benefited farmers use of improved practice compared to what they got last year. contributed to the improved yield and quality. This however does not mean He said: “I am thinking the market that all farmers are improving there price at the ECX in Addis Ababa will practice. A considerable number increase but I see no significant of farmers do not use improved change thus far. Right now, I am not agricultural practices. They still stick to profiting much; I get only 50 ETB from the conventional farm practice. Thus, a quintal. There are some costs I spent there is still a long way to go to improve in my shop before I take the sesame the productivity and quality of sesame to the ECX market. Considering this, and be competitive in the market. the profit is very limited.” He supplied his sesame in the ECX warehouse at Mrs Alemitu while supplying three quintal of Humera and he is hoping that the price her sesame to the cooperative will increase in the 45-day waiting time. Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 3 ... Sesame farmers receive 10.67 million ETB Continued from page 1 n 2017, Benefit-SBN teamed up with Agriterra to increase Ithe size of the guarantee fund. They jointly provide ETB 4 million guarantee fund to CBO which facilitated access to 10.67 million ETB loan to Metema and Setit Humera unions. 2 million ETB was deposited for each union, against which Metema and Setit Humera unions have received 4 million ETB and 6.67 million ETB, respectively. The credit was channelled through four primary cooperatives of Metema and three primary cooperatives of Setit Humera unions. In total, 2,395 (1,943 male 452 female) sesame farmers received input credit during Framers at May-kadra supplying their sesame produce to their cooperatives the second weeding- the time when farmers are dependent on informal marketing activities. This is expected to on loan management was given to money lenders in the absence of enable cooperatives to be more active leaders and key staff of the seven adequate amount of formal credit. on the primary markets, which generally primary cooperatives and two unions has a price correction effect resulting in to enhance their loan management Metema union channelled the 4 better price to farmers. knowledge and practices. After the million ETB credit through Kokit, training, the cooperatives have revised Mender 6, 7, 8, Metema Yohannes, Prior to loan disbursement, different the set of criteria they have been and Meka primary cooperatives. risk management strategies were using to assess the eligibility of their In total, 1,109 sesame farmers applied to ensure 100% repayment of members to loan. The cooperatives (977 male and 132 female) are the the loan. First, a consultant assessed have also improved their record- beneficiaries of the credit. Idolla, the capacity of the cooperatives. keeping and documentations systems. Mieable and Maernet are the primary Based on the gaps identified, efforts cooperatives, through which Setit were made to strengthen the human, During and after disbursement of the Humera union has channelled the financial and organisational capacities loan, the cooperatives were supported 6.67 million ETB credit. In total, of the cooperatives. For example, Idolla to mobilise internal resources and 1,286 (966 male and 320 female) Cooperative was financially supported increase their capital. In general, the sesame farmers have received loan. by Agriterra to recruit an accountant gurantee fund not only creates access The higher amount of loan to Setit and a store keeper. This helped the to production and marketing credit but Humera union is attributed to good cooperative to improve its financial and it also provids complementary non- track record in terms of having high material management system. financial services. And, there is a lot of level of turnover and savings, and potential to scale out the pilot in the CBO’s willingness to take more risk In collaboration with Fair and years to come. in the loan taken by Setit union (30% Sustainable (F&S) a three days training guarantee and 70% risk sharing by CBO). Those farmers who have outstanding credit from either the cooperatives or microfinance institutions were excluded from benefiting the credit.

According to the agreement signed between farmers and primary cooperatives, farmers are expected to repay the credit by selling sesame to their cooperatives. The latest repayment date is set to be end of December 2017. After collecting the production credit from farmers, the seven primary cooperatives and the two unions will use it to finance their Training on loan management at Metema Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 4 Mieable Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative: A Cooperative which is committed to improve its members lives ieable Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative is one of the Mtop performing cooperatives in Western Tigray zone which is committed to improve its members lives by doing different activities. Just like other cooperatives, Mieable farmers’ cooperative provide the common services such as purchusing its members sesame and sorghum produce and searching for better markets; providing credit service; availing agricultural inputs such as quality seed, chemical fertiliser, herbicides etc. What distinguish Mieable from other cooperatives is that it supports its members by organising agronomic and financial literacy training, demonstrating good agricultural practices and organising field days. It also works in collaboration Mr. Yirga Kiros, while explaing how the cooperative facilitates with different stakeholders and support financial literacy training programmes in the sesame sector. the area to make informed decisions Feedback from members on their farm activities.” Hedeat trained Financial literacy training Mrs Hedeat Aregawi vice chairwoman 125 farmers. She said all the farmers One encouraging action that the of the cooperative board and one of that she supports currently are doing cooperative has taken in 2017 is the financial literacy trainers for the well thus far. They have learnt that the training of 500 members, out members said that farmers liked the recording and calculating their costs of which 325 are male and 175 are training very much. She said: “most will help them to have alternative female members, in cost recording and farmers in the area, including myself, choices. Hedeat, however, said the calculating. This number is way larger did not record our farm costs before. training is difficult for some farmers. than what they trained last year which We did not consider family labour as a The good thing is that most farmers do was only 21 farmers. It is also larger cost. Those of us who have taken the have student children who can support than any of the other cooperatives training have started to perform our them in recording their costs. which have been engaged in the cost farm activities differently. We started recording and calculating activity. to consider our financial capacity. For Mr. Abraha Taddess, member of example, I discussed with my family Adebay farmers’ cooperative, has Both the cooperative administration about the possible costs and benefits participated in the cost recording and and the members are highly committed before I spend my money. We think that calculating training. He said he has to run the training. Members do have a the training will help all the farmers in recorded all his costs starting from close relationship one another. It seems land preparation to that of harvesting the cooperative management created and loading. Abraha has some a sense of ownership among members. education and he tried to register his Out of the 21 members who took the costs in the previous years. However, training last year, 20 are supporting he did not consider his family labour, the 2017 trainees. In particular, the the food that he gave for the labourers, cooperative manager Mr. Yirga Kiros is the materials that he bought for his devoting his time for the improvement farm as costs. After participating in of the cooperative. He has a better the training, he has been registering understanding of the importance of every single penny that he spends for cost recording and calculating. Yirga his farm activities. He said he planted said: “apart from the technical and sesame in three-hectare of land. The financial support that we have got late rain coupled with the occurrence from Benefit-SBN, we allocate 75,000 of pests and wind damage made him ETB to run the cost recording and not to get what he has expected. He calculating activities.” He added that got only seven quintals. He spent about the cooperative will allocate budget to 18,900 ETB (6,300 ETB per hectare). run this activity by its own in the years Mrs. Hedeat believes financial literacy helps to come. farmers make informed decisions Continued to page 5 Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 5 GARC achieves better results in 2017 production season n 2017 cropping season, Gondar sowing in broadcast, 3.7 quintals per done at Metema and Tach Armachiho Agricultural Research Center (GARC), hectare were harvested on large scale woredas. 25-30 quintal per hectare Iwith the support of Benefit-SBN, farmer’s fields. What is more, GARC yield were recorded. conducted trials, demonstrations has multiplied Abasina and Gondar-1 and seed multiplication activities on improved sesame varieties and For the last two years, mung bean sesame and rotation crops The major harvested 30 quintals. adaptation trial has been conducted activities are highlighted as follows: at Metema, Tach Armachiho and Rotation crops Belesa woredas. Rassa and Boreda Sesame. GARC is striving to release Ground nut and sunflower: To release varieties, which yielded 18-20 quintal new improved sesame variety. new ground nut variety, verification per hectare each, are found to be Currently, the center has one candidate trial has been carried out at Metema high yielder than Arkebe which gives for verification which shows 10% yield and Tach Armachiho woredas. Two 9-12 quintal per hectare. The center advantage than Humera -1 . The result promising varieties were evaluated recommended these varieties for will be announced in the coming year. and both or one of these varieties may these areas. Also, GARC multiplied soy In addition, GARC has collected 327 possibly be released in the coming year. and mung bean varieties. sesame genotypes and characterised As an alternate oil crop, four sunflower them for their yield, quality and open varieties were evaluated for their Sorghum: Melkam variety has been diseases response. It also tested 25 adaptability in the same woredas. The recommended for the lowland areas. genotypes as preliminary variety trial center expects to harvest 20-25 quintal Pre-scale up of this variety have for their yield and yield components per hectare yield from each variety. done on 28 hectares at Metema and and diseases resistance. Promising farmers confirmed that the variety genotypes were selected this year and Mung bean and soybean: is high yielder, drought resistant breeding activity will continue next year. Demonstration of soybean varieties, and expected to yield 40-45 quintal namely Gisham and Afgat, biofertiliser per hectare. The center has also GARC has also tested sesame varieties and inorganic fertiliser (50kg/ha) were multiplied this variety on 7 hectare. for moisture deficit areas and it has got 5-7 quintals per hectare at Belessa. Cotton: Delta pine-90 was the only The center carried out demonstration cotton variety produced by farmers. of improved sesame production Its yield decreases because of climate technologies in both small-scale and and agronomic practice. GARC large-scale farmers’ fields, from which conducted a trial on alternative cotten up to 8.4 quintals per hectare were varieties last year, Nian -01 (which obtained. This result was gained yields 25-28 quintals per hectare) and mainly with the application of Gondar-1 Sisiku -02( yields up to 25 quintals per improved seed variety, 65 kg Urea per hectare) are high yielders than Delta hectare and row planting. Compared pine-90 (16-20 quintals per hectare). to the local variety, this practice These varieties will be recommended performed well. In the local variety- that in the areas. Well performing Afgat soybean variety is- without fertilser application and

...Mieable Farmers Cooperative organic sesame. With the support of Humera town, was formed in 1996 Continued from page 4 2SCALE project, 200-members are with 80 (59 male and 21 female) He said he is not profitable this year. producing Debir sorghum variety in one farmers. The cooperative has been Abraha does not seem to give up. He hectare each. Using its office building strengthening itself and in November said he will try to employ improved as collateral the cooperative has got 2017 it has 3, 410 members (1,999 methods in the future. Despite what a 500,000 credit from Birhan bank. male and 1,411 female farmers). Its happened, he is happy with cost Together with Agricultural Transformation total capital reaches over 7.3 million ETB recording training. Agency (ATA) the cooperative planted including the building constructed under sesame by applying one quintal Urea 480 square meters; warehouse with Collaboration with stakeholders and one quintal NPS. These are some a holding capacity of 5,000 quintals, The cooperative works together with of the activities that the cooperative one-hectare farmer training centre, different organisations. It is one of the has been doing in collaboration with mill-house, office furniture, motorbike cooperatives under Setit Union which stakeholders and support projects. etc. The cooperative has 17 full time has got a relatively huge credit- three The cooperative’s effort has been employees. In the future, apart from million ETB from Cooperative Bank recognised by different bodies. It providing service for its members, the of Oromia (CBO) with the guarantee has got certificates from thekebele cooperative plans to engage in value fund programme that Agriterra and administration, Regional Bureau of addition activities. It has a plan to Benefit-SBN has been running in 2017. Agriculture and USAID and others. press oil out of the sesame product of In collaboration with Selit Hulling its members. It has also a plan to buy nearly 800 members are producing Mieable Cooperative, which is found tractors and row planters. in Adebay kebele, 18 km from Kafta Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 6 Mechanisation HuARC strives to create access to improved seeds of sesame and rotation crops

mproved seeds play a significant role in boosting the productivity Iand quality of sesame and rotation crops. Since long, shortage of improved seeds of sesame and major rotation crops growing in Northwest Ethiopia affects the yield and quality of agricultural produce. To address this challenge, Humera Agricultural Research Center (HuARC) has not only been releasing improved varieties but also multiplying the improved varieties and providing them to farmers and seed enterprises.

From 2012-2017, HuARC has been multiplying 1,493.4 quintal elet Hulling is currently researching mechanisation was found. While some Setit 1 and 768.8 quintal Humera the feasibility of introducing advocated for the use of small tractors 1 improved sesame varieties Smechanisation for sesame farming with 30hp, others preferred the use of which are relatively well known in order to increase productivity of tractors with up to 200hp. With regards to and accepted by many farmers. sesame farmers. Two German business the available land size and the heavy soils In 2016 and 2017, apart from students from University of Groningen in Humera, we believe at the moment that these two varieties, the center has (NL), Fabian and Kilian, are currently there is no one size fits all solution. With released two additional new sesame working on this feasibility study and larger land sizes comes the possibility to varieties, namely Setit 2 and Setit 3 writing a business plan regarding operate larger machines, while on small and multiplied 325 quintals. Among mechanisation. This is necessary, as the farms such machinery would be “overkill”. the sesame varieties, farmers productivity level of sesame farming is low preferred Setit-2 because of its and therefore the sesame output is lower One of the main bottlenecks why earliness, whitish colour and better than what it could be. Most work on fields mechanisation did not succeed in the productivity. Taking the farmers such as planting, weeding and harvesting, past was the lack of finance. With a demand into account, the centre which is quite cost intensive is still done government initiative to enhance the multiplied 310 quintal pre-basic by manual labour. A higher output through credit supply for the agricultural sector seed of this variety in 70 hectares mechanisation would profit the farmers by and the financial support of TradinOrganic of land. This pre-basic seed will be increasing their incomes through higher one of the major constraints for the given to Ethiopian seed enterprise yields, lowering costs of some farming mechanisation is relieved partly. Still, so that it can be distributed to activities and making farming work easier. partners stressed that farmers do not interested sesame producers. possess the financial resources (and the In the past season, Selet Hulling know-how) to actually buy and maintain For sustainable sesame production, conducted row planting trials, in order tractors and related equipment. Therefore, it is indispensably important to grow to explore the possibilities for yield a service that operates the machinery and different rotational crops such as increases. When comparing the results hires it out could be the solution. sorghum, mung bean and cotton. from eight different fields, row planting HuARC has been multiplying Arkebe increased the height of sesame plants by The other major bottleneck, the improved mung bean variety, which 20% and the yield per hectare by 13% on availability of well-trained machine is released by the centre. In 2017, average. Besides row planting, it would be operators and mechanics, will take more cropping season HuARC harvested important to mechanise field cleaning and time and patience to solve. However, about 196 quintals of this variety increase the quality of ploughing, in order with the right partners we are confident from 30 hectares of land. This and to make soils more fertile. Additionally, that a success can be achieved here as other mung bean varieties help mechanising weeding and harvesting well. The German NGO GIZ organises improve soil fertility; mung bean could save major costs, as these steps various training sessions in their center in is also early maturing and drought are most labour intensive. It would also Kulumsa, Ethiopia, as well as some tractor tolerance. reduce timeliness risks and is therefore manufacturers or importers offer driver much sought after by the farmers. and mechanic training.

During various encounters in Humera, (Fabian Kohler, [email protected] and a wide range of different opinions on Kilian Reutter, [email protected]) Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 7 Regional sesame field days held in Amhara and Tigray regions BN stakeholders and partners organised regional sesame Sand rotation crops field days in Amhara and Tigray regions. Over 500 participants (250 in Amhara and 260 in Tigray) drawn from federal to woreda level government organisations, private companies, large and small- scale farmers, cooperatives, unions, universities and support programmes attended the field visits organised at Metema and Mirab Armachiho woredas in Amhara and Kafta Humera and Asgede Tsimbla in Tigray regions.

The field days were attended by high ranking government officials including Dr. Eyasu Abraha, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural resource Government officials while visiting sorghum adaptation trial, Asgede Tsimbla (MoANR), Mr. Tesfaye Mengistu, state as a platform to exchange experiences, as an assignment and will try to do minister for MoANR and higher officials discusse on major achievements made their level best to search for solutions from regions, zones and woredas. and challenge faced. to the major challenges of the sector. Dr Bekele Bulado, Ministry of Trade They informed participants that the (MoT), Mrs. Almaz Mesele from House In the discussions, farmers voiced their government is ready to take lessons of peoples’ representatives, Mr.Ayana compliant against the ECX marketing from what has been done to improve the Zewede, state ministers for MoT procedure, shortage of farming coffee sub-sector. attended the field day organised on technologies, shortage of input finance, the Tigray side. limited infrastructure for irrigation, Dr Eyasu said “To realise the Growth branding and lack of or limited concern and Transformation Plan-II and bring In both regions, participants visited the to the sesame (sub) sector. They said we about the desired growth, the sector progresses of improved sesame and have been expressing our concerns on needs to be led by new knowledge, rotation crops technology scaling out the problems of sesame marketing for information and technology. We have activities at commercial and small- long but to no avail. We are still waiting seen very promising activities, we will scale farmers’ fields. They also visited the government to take some measures in work to scale out further.” He said different trials such as validation of improving the sesame marketing. the minister will arrange agricultural fertiliser recommendations on sesame; machinery lease service to commercial row planting; sorghum adaptation; Government officials expressed their farmers. He then reminded participants marginal rate of yield and return, appreciation on the concerted efforts by to give due attention to quality. “Quality ploughing time on sesame yield, research, extension, BENEFIT portfolio is our competitive advantage, only if participatory variety selection and seed programmes, Agricultural Transformation we can supply quality sesame to the multiplication activities conducted at Agency (ATA) and other stakeholders and world market that we can benefit.” He farmer training centers and research partners. They said they have noted the also emphasised the need to shift the centers fields. The field days served questions and concerns of the farmers attention to irrigation.

The field days served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss on the major challenges of the sector with policy makers though shortage of time and large number of participants did not allow for exhaustive discussion on the challenges raised.

The field days in Amhara was organised by the BoA, GARC, ATA and Benefit- SBN from the 20th -21st of September 2017 and in Tigray by BoA, HuARC in collaboration with BENEFIT portfolio programmes- SBN, ISSD and CASCAPE from September 30th- October 1st, 2017. http://sbnethiopia.org/newsevents/ Participants discussing in the field, Metema newsevents/ Issue 16 December 2017 Sesame Business Network Newsletter Page 8 PICS bags help to reduce post-harvest losses n Ethiopia different post- harvest • Investment in PICS bags pays high insect pest management options returns Ihave been practiced since long at • Easy to learn and use farmer, trader as well at research level. These practices include proper PICS for Sesame storage conditioning of grain by sun drying In Ethiopia many crops are now being or forced air dryers, using different stored in PICS bags including maize, storage structures, application of sorghum, wheat, common beans, insecticides and use of resistance green gram, cowpea, chickpea, varieties. However, for selecting the sesame, etc. However, PICS is most effective and appropriate method, predominantly used to store maize by knowledge of storage conditions, many farmers. Since 2013/14 Post accurate information about the species PICS bag pictures Harvest Loss Innovation Lab (PHLIL) of insects and infestation levels in the How do PICS bags work? project which is coordinated by Mekelle different types of farmers’ grain stores Sealed PICS bags deprive insects of University, Bahir Dar University, Kansas is very important. oxygen. The bags work- as do other State University, USA together with hermetic storage containers such as Benefit-SBN as partner is testing PICS What is PICS bag? sealed steel drums because insects for Sesame in HuARC. The preliminary The Purdue Improved Crop Storage respire aerobically, i.e., they use oxygen result shows PICS bag is performing (PICS) technology is a triple layer to generate energy from their food. good in minimizing storage insect sealed plastic bag that cuts off the They need energy to grow, develop and infestation in the seed and reducing oxygen supply to create hermetic reproduce. Feeding and growing larvae the quality and quantity loss occurred conditions, thereby eliminating insect burn up the oxygen in the airtight during storage. damage in storage of dry grain. Two container while raising the carbon high-density polyethylene inner bags dioxide level. When the oxygen level In Ethiopia PICS bag is sold by fit inside an outer sack composed of in the container falls low enough, the Shayashone PLC, agricultural woven polypropylene. They greatly insects cease feeding and become commercialization and agri dealer, hinder the movement of oxygen across inactive (Murdock et al., 2012) based in Addis Ababa. In collaboration the wall of the bag. The tough outer with different farmers cooperatives woven bag enables the bag to be Why are PICS bags so useful? Shayashone PLC, by now actively easily handled. This technology can • No insecticide or other chemicals working in selling and distributing the be used to store their grain without • Convenient for small-scale farmers technology in all Ethiopian regions. The being affected by insects, and provide and organic grain producers price for 100Kg size bag varies from farmers the flexibility to sell when • Reusable as long as they do not place to place, however, the average prices are high, while having chemical- have holes price ranges from 25 to 40 ETB. free high-quality food for their families • Cost little compared to many other throughout the year. storage methods Upcoming activities • Organising regional SBN stakeholders annual workshop • Conducting household survey • Piloting Ardita modules • Completing marginal rate of yield and return • Report writing for 2017 and planning for 2018 • Following up sesame marketing activities • Demonstrating sesame cleaning machine Contact us: For more information, questions and comments you can contact us through: [email protected] More information about the SBN and its support programme can also be found on the SBN website: http://www. sbnethiopia.org You can also find us on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SBNEthiopia Twitter: https://twitter.com/SBNEthiopia

Producer: Anteneh Mekuria

Contributions and inputs: Asfaw, A; Muez, B.; Abraha G.; Fiseha, B.; Getasew, A; Andualem, T.; Jenny, L.; Gezu S. and other Benefit-SBN staff members.

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