Food systems for improved human nutrition: studies of food production in home gardens in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was initiated to study the structure and benefits of home gardens in Edo South senatorial district, a part of Southern Nigeria. The primary data was collected through reconnaissance survey using questionnaires and direct contact followed by bench mark studies. Seven local government areas that constituted the district were visited. Twelve home gardens per each area were demarcated and garden size, food crops and vegetables grown, labour input, level of income and economic potentials were studied. Results indicated that staple crops Manihot, Zea mays, Musa and Dioscorea species were commonly grown. In outlaying farms, economic crops of cacoa, kola, citrus, etc. were planted. The home gardens were small in size from 0.75 hectare to 1.82 hectares and labour was from family members. A lot of the harvests were consumed by the household while some were sold. The economic crops were all sold out. Problems faced included land acquisition, destruction of crops by domestic animals, inadequate farm tools, farm inputs (fertilizers, chemicals) poor transportation and storage facilities. Information emanating from the study indicated that home garden is of prime importance in the food security of the people as well as helped enhanced their economic potentials.

Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 9 2005: 79-88