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  • Why is the Sesame sector better organized in Mali than Senegal?
  • The sesame sector is better organized in Mali, which positively impacts on the seasonal production and yield of sesame. As a result, a farmer’s total income from sesame production is higher in Mali than in Senegal. This implies that the sesame sector is more developed in Mali, which should lead to the rapid development of the sector.
  • Do Mali farmers earn more from Sesame than Senegal farmers?
  • Farmers in Mali earned significantly higher incomes (more than double) from sesame production than farmers in Senegal (p = 0.001). The following table shows the average sesame market prices ($/kg) and average seasonal incomes per farmer per Ha in the four regions.
  • Is sesame cultivated in West Africa?
  • Sesame is indeed grown in West Africa. There is some lack of data regarding its production status in the region. We made investigations into the production, agronomic practices, challenges, and farmer preferences in the major sesame-growing areas of Senegal and Mali.
  • Is there a compound fertilizer for Sesame production in West Africa?
  • There is no compound fertilizer that has been tailored for sesame production in West Africa’s Sahel. Further research is required for the formulation of a compound fertilizer optimized for sesame production in this area.
  • Could sesame be a cash crop in West Africa?
  • In West Africa's Sahel region, sesame production faces the main challenge of lack of reliable markets and considerable price fluctuations for seed marketing. However, the sesame sector is progressively developing, and sesame could become an important cash crop for smallholders. In both Senegal and Mali, this is the case.
  • Where is sesame grown in Senegal?
  • Sesame is widely cultivated mainly in the southern part of Senegal's Sine-saloum region or the peanut basin (14°11′N16°15′W), which includes the localities of Kaffrine, Kaolack and Fatick. This region covers 24,000 km 2 and experiences a Sudano-Sahelian climate with an annual rainfall lower than 700 mm.