Abstract
Agriculture is one of the prevalent economic activities in Nigeria with different crops cultivated in diverse regions of the country. The justification for this study is based on Egusi being a food item used by almost 50% of Nigerian households and eateries on a recurring basis in the country, yet it is not known if sustainable agricultural practices are adopted in the value chain. Most farmers are not aware of the harmful effects of intensive agricultural practices and therefore, may be exposed to the use of unsustainable agricultural methods. This research intends to investigate the common agricultural practices adopted by Egusi farmers in Nigeria with a view to suggesting better sustainable methods. The study adopted the qualitative method of research. Questionnaires were administered to the players in the Egusi value chain in Nasarawa state of Nigeria. The research findings suggest that sustainable agricultural practice is alien to some stakeholders in the value chain. Other findings suggest the existence of trust between the suppliers of the input materials and the farmers. The findings of this research call for greater awareness and education of stakeholders in the value chain, particularly as it affects the use of chemicals in agricultural practice.
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