Economic Importance of Beni Seed or Sesame Seed

The sesame seed or Beni seed, as popularly known in Nigeria, offers a range of benefits. As a cash crop, its economic benefits are evident through variation of end products, especially in the food system, sesame oil, and soaps.

As of 2021, Nigeria is the world’s sixth-largest exporter of sesame seeds. The availability makes sesame seeds the country’s second most lucrative export after cocoa, and producing states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states. Others are Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Ogoja in Cross River, Ondo, and Northern parts of Edo, Ogun and Enugu states. Beni seed and sesame will be used interchangeably.

Thriving in Nigeria’s north due to drought resistance, sesame seeds are a valuable crop. Both the seeds themselves and the oil extracted from them are popular food staples globally used in sweet and savoury dishes around the world.

Beni Seed or Sesame Seed Usage

Sesame Oil Extraction

The seed contains 40-60% of oil, which is stable due to the presence of natural antioxidants, hence long shelf life. This oil importance spans across different fields of application. The cosmetic industry finds it important for cosmetic products and the pharmaceutical industry for medicinal purposes. Other aspects include soap and paint making. People use sesame oil on flour in pastries, cooking soups, and animal feed.

Sesame Black Soap

Phytochemicals’ presence, such as lignans, polyphenols, tocopherols, and other antioxidants, confer antimicrobial activity on sesame plant, seeds and oil. The black soap is made purely from sesame oil and sesame straw ash extract. It has antifungal effects and is cheaper, safer, and easier than the synthetic antiseptic soaps in the market that may have adverse health effects after prolonged use.

Sesame Ash Extract Laundry Soap

This can serve as the replacement for soda ash (sodium carbonate), which is a major ingredient in conventional soap making.

Non-Food Product

Various industries incorporate sesame oil  in a variety of non-food products, such as ulcer and burn medicines and aerosol sprays. Lower-quality sesame oil serve as ingredients in lubricants.

Sesame in Food Systems

Sesame seed has a composition of protein content with higher protein level than beef. Sesame products extend to traditional food systems, such as local condiment dawadawa (traditional food systems) and will go a long way in alleviating the problems of protein malnutrition, especially amongst children and women. Sesame oil is very heart friendly and can lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, risks of cardio-vascular diseases, and some forms of cancers. It is also a right diet of choice for diabetic patients because of its low carbohydrate content and being a legume. Beni seed or sesame is important in extracting end products such as:

Beni seed milk
Beni seed condiments (Dawadawa)
Beni seed candy
Beni seed vegetable soup
Beni seed bread
Beni seed pastries such as doughnuts, chin-chin, buns, cake, and biscuits.
Animal Feeds
Shafts or hulls from Beni seed can be used as animal feed.

Conclusion

Sesame seeds or Beni seed offers numerous importance economically. These benefits in food and the non- food system match both individual or corporate economic needs. From the oil usage in numerous areas down to its use as food which are not only delicious but provide healthy diet choice. Tap into this opportunity and enjoy the process.