Sesame Value Chain Development Africa 2000 Network Uganda (A2N) and Oxfam GB implemented a one year Project entitled; Engendered Sesame#s Value Chain Enhancement (ESVC) project. The project#s goal was that #Poor women and men producers and traders in the Acholi sub-region earn more income in asustainable manner#. Its key objective was to Increase incomes and power of women and men producers and traders in the sesame valuechain in two districts of Kitgum and Lamwo  which targeted 1,800 households translating into 3,600 direct beneficiaries; To achievethis project;
i. worked with sesame producer groups and collective marketing committees to see to it that they are established as business oriented and gender equitable entities,
ii. Strived to Increase sesame men and women producers#access to extension, inputs and other services,
iii. Improved market access and
iv. Increased women#s participation, benefits and decision making in the sesame value chain.

Following many reviews and discussions between other project stakeholders, Oxfam and Africa 2000 Network # Uganda, it was acknowledged that the project made enormous changes to the partner farmers# lives; however there were some gaps that needed to beaddressed in the Engendered Sesame#s Value Chain Enhancement (ESVC) project suchas;
# Market assurance for the participating farmers, where the CMCs were not sure of who they#ll sell to and the price they#ll sell at.
# Low capacity of the CMCs, Women#s associations to pre-finance some of their activities, this discouraged bulkingand some forced some farmers to withdraw their produce from the bulking centers to quickly sell and sort their pressing needs.
# Inadequate awareness and knowledge of the beneficiary farmers on the CMC marketing strategy
# Poor postharvest handling techniques by the farmers leading to loss in both quantity and quality of the sesame sold which has lead to low incomes.
# Lack of quality seeds that meets the market standards and also high yielding. This has reduce outputs and market access.
# Weak administration and lack of transparency and accountability of farmer leaders especially at associations# level.
# High work burden on women due to the limited numbers of labour saving technology advancement in sesame production especially in areas such as seed cleaning, processing, weeding, planting, harvesting etc.
# Low capacity of women to process andaccess productive assets amongst others.

Following the review between, Oxfam, A2N, KIDFA, WORUDET, LGs and other stakeholders, it was agreed that the sesamevalue chain work needs to be consolidated for better sustainability. To address the remaining gaps in the sesame value chain, A2N, KIDFA and WORUDET have developed a new proposal entitled #Sustainable Sesame Value Chain Development#. The project has agoal to ensure that #Poor women and men producers and traders in the Acholi sub-region earn more income in a sustainable manner# and overall objective To increase income for small scale women, men and youths producers and traders in the sesame value chain inKitgum and Lamwo Districts

The SSVCD project will directly target 1,800 households, (3,600 farmers- 1,800 male and 1,800 female); organized in 60 producer groups in six sub counties; Lokung, Palabek Ogili, Palabek Gem sub counties in Lamwo District and; Omiya Anyima, Lagoro, Labongo Akwang sub counties in Kitgum District. The project duration is 6 months - January 1st 2015 to June  30st 2015. By the end of the project, the 1,800 households will be empowered to fully participate in the sesame valuechain. They would have been reorganized in 60 producer groups and 6 Lead farmers# associations where they plan production and market access. A platform will have been developed for farmers at district level to identify constraints, discuss possible solutionsand present critical issues affecting the chain with policy makers and administrators. A total of 6 women traders and sesame women processors will be supported to process, package, brand and market processed sesame.