Across Tanzania’s farming communities, a quiet transformation is taking place and it is changing lives. Under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the value of sesame (ufuta) has climbed to record levels, giving thousands of smallholder farmers new hope and prosperity.
For years, sesame was considered a modest cash crop, but today it stands among Tanzania’s top agricultural earners.
In 2020, a kilogram of sesame fetched only TSh 941. By 2025, that same kilogram sells for TSh 3,443 a price increase that has multiplied incomes for rural families and boosted confidence in the agricultural sector.
The impact is visible not just in homes, but in the nation’s export statistics. In 2020, Tanzania sold 100,000 tonnes of sesame abroad, generating about USD 85 million (TZS 200 billion).
Five years later, exports rose to 150,000 tonnes, earning over USD 300 million (TZS 780 billion). This sharp increase in both volume and value shows how effective government policies and market linkages have become.
Behind this success lies President Samia’s determination to ensure farmers benefit fully from their labor.
Her administration has strengthened the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) a transparent trading platform that connects farmers directly with buyers, eliminates unfair middlemen, and guarantees fair market prices.
Through TMX, sesame farmers now enjoy timely payments and dependable markets, making farming more rewarding and sustainable.
For many citizens, this progress is more than just numbers. It means better food on the table, more children in school, and improved community development.
The sesame boom has stimulated local economies, increased household savings, and created ripple effects in transport, processing, and export logistics.
President Samia’s leadership continues to show that when farmers thrive, the nation prospers. By opening reliable markets, promoting fair trade, and empowering smallholders, her government is laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive economy one where every citizen can feel the benefits of Tanzania’s growth.
In today’s Tanzania, the farmer’s hard work truly pays off and the nation stands stronger for it.