**6.1 Ecological sustainability**

Ecological sustainability in sustainable agricultural practices borders around the protection of the environment and ensuring that the soil remains viable and productive in the long term. The interviewees, while answering questions pertaining to ecological sustainability, made statements that had various indications. First, the statements indicated the use of chemicals within the value chain. Secondly, mixed cropping was a common phenomenon. Issues such as water management, cover cropping, shifting cultivation, and waste management were featured in the interviews. These are evident in various quotes from the interview transcripts.

In answering a question on the use of chemical substances, these were some of the responses:

*"Before planting, the farmers buy chemicals which they apply to the seeds"* (Inputs Seller).

*"We buy the necessary pesticides to apply" and "when we finish planting, we spray preventive chemicals" (*Farmer A).

While answering questions relating to what becomes of the Egusi pods after the seeds have been extracted, the farmers made the following statements.

"*After harvesting, we bury what is left of the pods when we make ridges"* (Farmer A). *"The pods of the Egusi are left on the land so I bury them when I am making ridges for the next cultivation … "* (Farmer B).

In answering questions about the use of water, the interviewees responded thus: *"We scoop the contents of the pod and take it to the river for washing"* (Farmer A). *"I extract the contents of the pod. Stir it in a container with holes then take it to the river*

*for washing"* (Farmer B).

*"I do not need so much water so I buy from the borehole"* (Processor).

With reference to cover cropping, the farmers and farmhands mentioned that the land is first cleared of grasses and stalks.

### **6.2 Economic sustainability**

Economic sustainability emphasizes the profitability of the entire stakeholders in the value chain. The interview questions here referred to practices considered in this category that ensure the players in the value chain make a profit. The interviewees were of the opinion that the Egusi business was profitable. It must be emphasized that value chain members are quite reluctant to disclose the scale of profitability in the business for fear of competition, taxes, etc. Therefore, indicators were relied upon to discern the scale of profitability. The following quotes were extracted from the interview transcript.

*"I would say that Egusi business is a profitable business"* (Farmer A).

*"I think it is profitable since it saves me more than I put into it. I plan to cultivate on a larger scale next year"* (Farmer B). The response by the farmers suggests some

*Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Value Chain of Egusi, A Local Soup Condiment… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109854*

profitability in the business, which is manifested in the drive to expand the area of cultivation in the next season.

*"We keep the Egusi for a while in the store. After some time, the Egusi becomes scarce, and the prices increase. That is the time we sell because we will make a profit"* (Wholesaler). It is reasonable to infer that the cost of storage and the Egusi-carrying costs are covered by the final price sold to the retailers and consumers.

#### **6.3 Social sustainability**

Social sustainability covers the area of welfare and interpersonal relationships within the value chain. Subthemes include pricing, negotiations, staff welfare, and availability of credit. Some statements from the members of the value chain indicate a cordial relationship, which gives room for credit. This is evident in a statement by the sellers of input materials to the farmers.

*"There is a very cordial relationship because you cannot drive your customers away. Sometimes, if they don't have money, I do give them till when they have the money to settle their debts"* (Inputs Supplier).

The interviews brought to light the prevailing conditions and practices in the Egusi value chain (**Figures 1** and **2**).

#### **6.4 Discussions of findings**

This study seeks to find out the prevailing practices in the Egusi value chain and to suggest more sustainable practices where necessary. The data was sourced from interviews. The interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

**Figure 2.** *Processed Egusi. Source: Author's site interview visit to Nasarawa state, Nigeria.*

The data suggest that the stakeholders use chemicals for input treatment, weed and pest control as well as for the preservation of Egusi after the harvest. It can also be deduced from the analysis that the land is not left bare after harvest. Another important discovery is the washing of melon seeds in water bodies. The data also show that the members of the value chain agree that Egusi business is a profitable venture. It also shows that farmers and wholesalers use artificial scarcity to affect the market forces. The data also indicate that there is a cordial relationship between the players in the value chain. The data were, however, analyzed under certain themes, which will guide the discussion of findings. An important development of the Egusi value chain is the fact that while it is grown and harvested within three to four months, its consumption is widespread over the year, thus suggesting the need to preserve and stock the seeds over time. The storage obviously leads to a reduction in the weight of the seeds due to moisture loss.
