Enhancing sustainability in Nigerian agricultural supply chains through fair trade practices
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Abstract
Nigeria's agricultural sector, contributing 22.7% to GDP and employing over 70% of the population, faces critical sustainability challenges that directly impact multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. This study evaluates fair trade practices as a comprehensive management strategy for enhancing sustainability across Nigerian agricultural supply chains, addressing the persistent challenges smallholder farmers face, including market volatility, environmental degradation, and social inequity.
Purpose: This research aims to assess the transformative potential of fair trade mechanisms in achieving sustainable agricultural supply chain management in Nigeria, specifically focusing on policy frameworks and governance structures that support SDG implementation.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 45 peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, and case studies from fair trade initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis employed a triple-bottom-line framework to evaluate economic, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions within supply chain management contexts.
Results: Fairtrade implementation demonstrates significant potential for sustainable supply chain transformation through: (1) price stabilization mechanisms reducing farmer income volatility by up to 40%; (2) environmental stewardship practices that decrease chemical inputs by 35% while improving soil health; (3) social empowerment initiatives that increase women's participation in decision-making by 60%. However, critical barriers include certification costs (averaging $2,000-5,000 per cooperative), inadequate infrastructure investment (less than 15% of rural areas have adequate storage facilities), and limited government policy support.
Theoretical contribution: This study advances supply chain sustainability theory by proposing an integrated fair trade-governance framework specifically designed for developing economies, linking microeconomic farmer decisions with macroeconomic policy outcomes in pursuit of SDG targets1.
Practical implications: The research provides actionable policy recommendations for Nigerian policymakers, including establishing government-subsidized certification programs, creating public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, and integrating fair trade principles into national agricultural policies. These findings offer a replicable model for other sub-Saharan African countries pursuing sustainable agricultural transformation.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work (article) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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