Sesame
📍 EthiopiaClick a numbered marker on the plant to explore each life-cycle stage — or read the key dates on the right.
Roots & seed establish first. Sow in at .
Leaves & stem drive the vegetative stage over .
Flowering falls mid-cycle between sowing () and harvest (). Keep stress low here.
Fruit/grain matures — harvest around .
Where Sesame grows in Ethiopia
Semi-Arid Agro-ecology (Hot to warm lowlands and tepid to cool mid highlands)
The semi-arid zone which is less harsh (compared to the arid zone) for life occupies about 4.0 million ha of land (i.e. 3.57% of the country). With the altitude ranges from 400-2200masl. Mean annual temperature ranges from 16-30oc and rainfall ranges from 300-800mm. the area has a growing period of about 60 days.
Sub-humid agro-ecologies (Hot-warm lowlands, tepid to cool mid-highlands and cold to very cold sub-afroalpine to afroalpine)
The sub-humid zone is the most stable zone in the country. It covers about 17.5 million hectar of land (i.e. about 15% of the country). The zone has an altitude range of 400-4300masl. Mean annual temperature varies from 8-28oc and rainfall ranges from 700-2200mm. Dependable growing period of the zone ranges from 180-330days. Gibe river is found in the zone
Sub-moist Agro-ecology (hot to warm low lands, tepid to cool mid-highlands and cold to very cold sub-afroalpin to afroalpin)
The sub-moist agroecology coveres about 22.2 million hectare (i.e. about 19.1% of the country). With the altitude ranges from 400-4000masl. Mean annual temperature ranges from 16-28oc and rainfall ranges from 200-2600mm. The area has extended growing periods up to 250 days.
Looking for another crop? Browse the full Ethiopia crop calendar or the Sesame guide for other countries.