"Sesame is a cash crop whose seeds are rich in oil and is drought tolerant," said Mr Hwenga.

"It can survive periods of dry weather. Communities in Muzarabani started growing sesame about five years ago, having seen it performing well in nearby Mozambican villages.

The International Trade Centre's Market Price Information portal shows that the average price of sesame seed in international markets between January to date is US$1,133/tonne.

According to Tridge, a global sourcing hub for food and agriculture, Tanzania buys sesame seeds at US$1365 per tonne while for Pakistan it is US$1452.

Experts say the diverse uses of sesame, from direct consumption as food to an ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, makes it a high-value product in regional and international markets.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says the growing world's population, changing consumption patterns and health awareness of consumers are some of the reasons that has led to a boom in sesame market.

Figures from Trade Map show that global exports of sesame seed in 2019 amounted to US$3,07 billion, up from US$2,7 billion in 2018 and US$2,2 billion in 2017.

Information gleaned from Zimtrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation shows that of these global export figures, Zimbabwe's share of the export market is a paltry US$85 000.

Zimtrade said increased awareness to consumers on the benefits of sesame seed and support to farmers on production and marketing will enable the more than 1 200 small-scale farmers currently producing sesame to increase production.

As a way of increasing sesame crop growing, Government targeted 100 000 tonnes of sesame crop during the 2020/21 summer farming season through cotton growers and was spearheaded by the Cotton Company (Cottco).

Major global exporters last year were Sudan (US$606 million), India (US$529 million), Ethiopia (US$332 million), Nigeria (US$289 million) and Tanzania (US$189 million).

The largest importers last year were China (US$1.2 billion), Japan (US$303 million), Turkey (US$267 million), India (US$196 million), Korea (US$145 million) and Israel (US$119 million).

As the Kaerezi and Chiwenga sesame crop farmers battle to find a market for their crop, it could be time to turn to Zimtrade, to provide market insights and linking them with potential buyers within the region and beyond.

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