It's a niche crop poised for growth, according to industry players. Sesame cultivation offers economic advantages, with strong international demand, and agronomic benefits, as it is drought-resistant and continues to expand in Senegal. Good harvest prospects are expected this year. The sesame season is off to a promising start in Senegal . The harvest, which has just begun in the Sine Saloum and Kaolack regions in the center of the country, is showing good yields thanks to favorable rainfall – neither too much nor too little. Another factor contributing to these positive results is the use of higher-yielding varieties, explains the national federation of sesame producers. Yields could increase from 250 kg per hectare this year to 350 kg. Fewer entrants to reduce costs Finally, using fewer inputs and exclusively organic fertilizer is yielding good results, according to industry professionals, while also reducing costs. Up to 20,000 tons of sesame could be harvested this year. These quantities have been steadily increasing over the past ten years, even if they remain small. Senegal ranks only 28th among sesame exporting countries, far behind Sudan and Nigeria, as well as Mali and Burkina Faso. An oilseed plant still little known to Senegalese farmers And this is one of the challenges facing this sector: convincing farmers of the benefits of planting sesame. It's a plant still relatively unknown in Senegal (introduced 40 years ago) compared to the all-powerful peanut, yet it offers greater economic profitability with low production costs. The season started a week ago with a selling price of 400 CFA francs per kilo (or €0.61), and export demand – primarily to China – is currently strong. The main obstacle to the creation of a sector is the lack of processing. Only two artisanal units process sesame into oil in the south of the country in Casamance, where there would be room for a real industrial policy for processing the plant, according to professionals in the sector.