Nine oilseeds namely noug, gomenzer, linseed, soybean, sunflower, castor, sesame, ground nut and cotton are important in Ethiopia for edible oil consumption. During the last 60?years, 156 varieties with their production practices were registered. Sesame contributes significantly to the foreign currency earnings next to coffee.
What is the role of oilseed in Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings?
Ethiopia’s oilseed sector plays an important role in generating foreign exchange earnings. The three major oilseed crops (sesame, soybean, and niger seed) contribute to nearly 20% of Ethiopia’s total agricultural export earnings, second only to coffee.
Where is sesame seed grown in Ethiopia?
Sesame seed is one of the most widely produced oilseed crop, representing 30 percent of Ethiopia’s oilseed production. Production is mainly concentrated in the northern and northwestern Ethiopia, bordering Sudan and Eritrea.
Where is niger seed produced in Ethiopia?
Niger seed, also known as noug, is the second most produced oilseed in Ethiopia, accounting for a little more than one-fourth of oilseed production. Close to 800,000 small-scale farmers produce Niger seed and more than 95 percent of production is concentrated in the highlands of Oromia and Amhara.