Value Chain Analysis of Sesame in Bade and Jakusko Local Government Areas of Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines value chain of sesame production and marketing in Yobe State, Nigeria. It specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of the sesame farmers; describe the sources of inputs, characteristics and roles of value chain actors in sesame production and marketing. Data for the study were obtained from a total of 210 respondents using structured questionnaire and interview. Using descriptive statistics, net margin and value added models; the results indicate that each actor along the value chain incurred both variable and fixed costs. The results further showed that labour alone accounted for bulk of the total variable cost for all the actors. And the gross margin per hectare was N82,367.85 with the return on every naira invested amounting to N3.1. The State Agricultural Development Programme should ensure the provision of improved varieties of sesame especially those with high export value and high oil content to the sesame farmers; this agency should also make available cottage level processing and utilization technologies to sesame producers, marketers and processors to enhance value addition as the commodity moves along the chain. This can bring an increase in overall return of all actors along the chain.