Sesame Value Chain Assets Creation Among Women in Magwi County, South Sudan

Sesame is an important food and cash crop cultivated by the majority of smallholder women farmers in Owinykibul locality in Magwi County and Pajok in Payam in Magwi County. The purpose of this study was analyze women's participation in the sesame value including production, value addition and marketing in the study area The study also assessed the types of assets and extent of asset creation among small holder women farmers in the study area. In addition, the study sought to identify and evaluate the specific constraints and propose gender-responsive strategies and policy recommendations to overcome identified barriers and maximize women's opportunities for sustainable asset creation in the study area. This study was conducted in Owinykibul locality in Magwi Payam and in Pajok Payam in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan. Primary data were collected using a household survey design. The study used descriptive survey design as it allowed analysis of quantitative data. A sample of 409 households’ heads were interviewed using structured household questionnaires in the study areas; out of the 409 household heads 168 (41.1%) were women. The findings of the study indicate that overall, the incomes from the sales of sesame was the prime source of income used by smallholder women farmers for accumulation of assets including livestock, physical productive assets used in sesame production, means of transport and protective/household assets. Similarly, the results of this study also revealed that incomes from the sales of sesame was the second most important source for major investment such as improving the structures of family housing including roofs, floors and walls of the main house. Overall, this study provides evidence that the participation of smallholders’ women farmers in the sesame value chain contributed significantly to improving their livelihoods in terms of improved and greater accumulation of physical assets. Hence the need for strategies to alleviate challenges that limit assets accumulation among smallholder women farmers to enhance the positive impact of the sesame value chain on their asset ownership and overall social and economic empowerment of women in the study areas in Magwi County. Keywords: Sesame, value chain, asset creation, smallholder farmer, women DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/85-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2026