Humera Agricultural Research Center (HuARC) in collaboration with Benefit-SBN organised farmers field day for farmers, agricultural professionals and researchers on the 18^th and 19^th of August 2018.

Farmers, researchers, experts, administrators, and state ministers and other officials from the federal government attended the field day. Attendees visited improved production technology trials at HuARC research sites and investor farmers’ fields.

Following the visit, participants discussed with Dr. Eyasu Abraha, State Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MAoNR); Dr. Mebrahtu Melese, State Minister of Ministry of Trade (MoT) and Dr. Mandefro Nigussie Director of EARI.

During the discussion, participants voiced their concern on the major challenges of the production season such as lack of chemical for newly emerging pests and diseases; lack of herbicide; shortage of labour; lack of credit, unavailability of harvesting machine; etc.

Participants raised their concerns regarding sesame marketing and finance related problems. They said the sesame market is volatile and it is not benefiting the poor farmers. They also mentioned that the grading problems in the ECX has not yet been improved.

What is more, participants requested the government to give attention to sesame production using irrigation. They also requested the importance of having mechanisation centre at Humera.

State ministers mentioned that they are working to meet the challenges of the sesame sub-sector.