Food Safety Awareness and Challenges among Garden Egg (Solanum spp.) Farmers: Implications for Agricultural Extension in the Nsukka Agricultural Zone

Abstract

Food safety in vegetable production remains essential for protecting public health and sustaining rural livelihoods, especially in developing countries where smallholder farmers play a dominant role in food supply. Yet there is limited field-based evidence on the level of food safety awareness and the practical challenges faced by garden egg (Solanum spp.) farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. This study examined farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and constraints related to implementing food safety practices in the Nsukka Agricultural Zone. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 60 respondents. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires, complemented by direct field observations, and analysed using descriptive statistics, including percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that most of the farmers were female (65.0%), with an average age of 43.56 years and a mean annual income of ₦313,075. Although most respondents (88.3%) reported no contact with extension agents, awareness of important food safety issues was notably high. Nearly all respondents recognized the dangers of using unapproved pesticides (98.3%) and the risks associated with foodborne illnesses (96.7%). Knowledge of preventive practices such as wearing protective clothing (98.3%) and properly sorting harvested produce (95.0%) was also widespread. Despite this encouraging level of awareness, farmers faced serious obstacles, including limited access to safe agricultural inputs, weak institutional support, difficulties with pest control, and the high cost of complying with recommended practices. The study highlights the urgent need to strengthen extension services and provide policy support to translate awareness into consistent and effective food safety practices.