Our Field Trials Are Helping Shape the Future of Sesame Farming in Tanzania

At Halisi Agri, we believe that better farming practices lead to better outcomes— not just for yield and quality, but also for the farmers we work with and the health of their soil. That’s why in 2024, we set up three trial plots to test different sesame-growing practices and seed varieties, aiming to improve productivity, resilience, and farmer income.

Some of the key insights we gained:

📌 The timing of planting, weeding, and thinning has a significant impact on yield.
📌 While synthetic inputs boosted yields compared to our baseline plots, organic practices held their own and are a much more cost effective solution.
📌 Management techniques vary in effectiveness by region. Growing sesame in Tanzania requires a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all method.

What’s Next?

In 2025, we’re scaling up these insights by working directly with our farmers to implement the most effective practices. At the same time, we’re continuing with new trial plots to refine what we know—because learning is an ongoing process.

For us, this isn’t just about higher yields; it’s about creating a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable sesame sector for smallholder farmers.