The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
SMUGGLING of sesame seed (uninga) into the neighbouring Mozambique is rampant among Chipinge farmers who are being lured by the hard currency buyers in that country, The Manica Post Business has learnt.
Sesame is a herb with foxglove-like flowers that produce pods containing edible seeds. The seeds are rich in minerals and can also be crushed to produce sesame oil.
Locals use the crop as a substitute for peanut butter and cooking oil.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), about 2 500 hectares were put under the crop last season and 779 tonnes are expected after harvesting.
Four companies based at Checheche Growth Point are into contracting farmers to grow sesame seed. These include the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco), Cashbox Financial Services and Open Systems.
However, farmers are side marketing and smuggling the crop to Mozambique.
Some farmers interviewed said they are not aware of any local buyers of the crop.
In Mozambique, a kilogramme of sesame seed ranges between US$1 to US1.50.
Locally, buyers are paying between US50 cents and US$1 using the prevailing exchange rate.
Mr Panganai Mabhiza of Chinyamukwakwa in Chipinge South said he is realising good rewards from sesame seed.
“I have been a cotton farmer for decades and it was my only cash crop. Since buyers have been shortchanging us, we have shifted to sesame seed. The cotton buyers were paying us in groceries and that’s why we abandoned cotton production,” he said.
“Some fly-by night buyers were duping us in the past and that is why we are now opting to take our crop to Mozambique,” he said.
Another farmer, Mr Anyway Zamazama of Checheche who is contracted to grow sesame by one of the aforementioned companies, said they are resorting to side marketing the crop as they are being shortchanged locally.
“While others are offering favourable prices, the company that contracted me is offering us very little. We should have a win-win situation so that l am not tempted to side market the crop,” he said.
In an interview, AMA Manicaland provincial inspector, Mrs Rosa Rosario said it is illegal for farmers to smuggle their crop to Mozambique.
“We have quite a handful of registered buyers in our directory. In Checheche and surrounding areas nearly half of the farmers are contracted by Cottco. Since some of the farmers are not contracted, they are demanding US$1/per kg, which is too much for our local buyers. The sesame seed should be sold locally. What is happening is illegal. The farmers should know that they are actually creating jobs in Mozambique,” she said.
