SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM EDDA LGA, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study investigates the role of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAP) in enhancing Rural Economic Development (RED), with a specific focus on the Edda Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The research adopted a quantitative approach, utilizing quantitative data to examine how SAP contributes to rural economic growth and how Contextual Factors (COF) such as access to credit, educational level, cultural beliefs, social networks and community engagement moderate this relationship. The sample consists of 370 small, medium, and largescale farmers, selected through stratified random sampling. Regression analysis was used to explore the direct and interactive effects of SAP and COF on RED. The results indicate that SAP significantly improves RED by increasing agricultural productivity, ensuring environmental sustainability, and promoting income stability for rural farmers. Furthermore, the interaction between SAP and COF reveals that better contextual conditions, such as improved infrastructure and market access, significantly enhance the positive effects of sustainable farming practices on rural development outcomes. The findings underscore the critical need for policy interventions that not only promote sustainable agriculture but also address the contextual challenges that rural farmers face in implementing these practices effectively. The study recommends that government and development agencies strengthen support systems for rural farmers through infrastructure development, market integration, and capacity-building programs. By addressing these factors, sustainable agricultural practices can serve as a pivotal tool for improving rural livelihoods and driving long-term economic development in rural Nigeria. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable agriculture and rural economic development by providing empirical evidence from the Nigerian context.