Sesame is called a ¡®survivor¡¯ crop because it was widely adopted as an early crop due to its ability to grow in areas where other crops couldn¡¯t, particularly under hot and dry conditions. Many wild relatives of sesame are found in sub-Saharan Africa and India.
Where did sesame originate?
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is likely one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world for edible oil. It originated in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys around 1600 B.C. Many wild relatives of sesame are found in sub-Saharan Africa, with somewhat fewer also found in India.
Where is sesame grown?
Sesame is grown widely in the warmer regions of the world, with the largest production occurring in Sudan, India, Myanmar, and Tanzania. In many countries, it is quite often grown as a minor crop and is used to add flavor and variety to local dishes rather than as a primary source of cooking oil.
Does Sesaco sell sesame?
Sesaco has traditionally been the major plant breeding program for sesame in the U.S. Producers potentially can market their sesame directly to food brokers or processors, but may have trouble obtaining high-quality sesame varieties to plant.