The role of home gardening in household food security in Butere division of western Kenya

Abstract

Gardening remains the most important method of food production for a majority of
people in the developing world, yet high population density has put a lot of pressure
on land as more of it is required for settlement. This has led to land fragmentation,
which has negatively affected food production, hence, resulted in food insecurity.
Food insecurity is a concern today in many parts of Kenya. Land use practices thus
have to be intensified to maximize food production on the small land available. Home
gardening has been identified as a means of providing all year round access to food
for rural households. Home gardens can make a significant contribution in meeting
daily household needs for better nutrition and health. A study was carried out among
rural households in Butere division, western Kenya, to determine the role of home
gardening on household food security. Simple random sampling was used to obtain a
study population of 100 households, to whom an interview schedule and an
observation checklist was administered. Twenty key informants were purposively
sampled and responded to questionnaires. Data obtained were analyzed quantitatively.
Pearson correlation coefficient was applied on home gardening indicators: size of land
for home gardening, home garden crops and home garden livestock, and food security
indicators: food stock and number of meals eaten daily by households. Results
obtained showed that home gardening plays a significant role in food security of rural
households with respect to size of land and food stock (0.336 at p≤0.01), and number
of livestock and food stock (0.211 at p≤0.05). Home gardening did not play a
significant role in food security with regard to home garden crops. Households,
therefore, should be empowered and encouraged to improve their practice of home
gardening to realize food security. Findings of this study will be useful to
governmental and non-governmental bodies involved in promoting food security in
the rural households.

Keywords: Home gardening, household food security

AJFAND Vol. 8 (4) 2008: pp. 375-390