Intensive household gardening

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:27

Description of the innovative solution

Community building Food biodiversity Indoor farming Urban farming Regenerative agriculture Sharing economy Local garden Healthy diet Land tenure Diet diversity Nutritious food Market access

Intensive gardening is used to maximize the amount of produce harvested in a given garden area. This method can be applied to household gardens, ranging from small yard plots to 'balcony boxes,' to increase household food security and nutrition, and bolster resilience to global food shocks. Household gardens are an integral factor of local food systems, and are increasingly important as the global population continues to grow, and hunger and nutrient deficiencies continue to claim lives. Home gardens have some commonalities; they are often located on marginal lands or areas, and take up only a fraction of a house's arable land if any. They also come in many shapes, sizes, and serve different functions with different crop compositions. Most of the literature on home gardens focuses on tropical areas in Central and South American, South and South-east Asia, and Africa, but this phenomenon is applicable to many contexts. While home gardens have potental to create a positive impact, there are still many constraints to be kept in mind, whether it be lack of inputs, time, knowledge, labor, land, and more.

Primary users

Hobby home gardeners
Urban farmers
Women
Low/Middle income households
Middle/High income households

Dietary impact

Home gardens can increase access to a diversity of foods, especially in areas where such a diversity of healthy foods is difficult to access through the market/food system, and thus improve nutrition and health. The positive impact on nutrition can be increased if home gardens are adopted on a larger scale, supplementing both calories and critical nutrients. Further, homegardens can strengthen local food systems, making communities and regions less vulnerable to things like global food price shocks and, potentially, other crises.

Planetary impact

While home gardens can have a positive impact on planetary health. For instance, home gardens composed of a broad diversity of species can serve the purpose of in situ biodiversity conservation, and can also improve land conservation by preventing soil erosion. In addition, other critical ecosystems services like nutrient cycling, habitat for animals and other organisms, pollination, and pest control, are among the benefits that home gardens and the practices associated with their success can offer more of, relative to commercial or large-scale agriculture.

Equity impact

Home gardens are not just sources of calories and nutrients. They have the potential to provide economic and social benefits to those who take them on. Primarily, home gardens can provide an additional source of income, . While subsistence is often the goal of these gardens, their flexibility allows for them to be structured in a more economically efficient manner. Thus, home gardens have been promoted in some countries to mitigate poverty. In many places, the role of women in the local production of food is prominent, and this can help to increase their food security and child nutrition, as well as income and social status.

Main concerns

It's important to remember that home gardens, while potentially helpful, are limited in some aspects. Numerous constraints exist, such as inadequate access to land or ownership rights, inputs, or advising/knowledge. In addition, more empirical research should be done to illuminate to what extent home gardens can be beneficial in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Risks associated with home gardening are similar to those associated with food production generally. This means that one should ensure that their soil and water is safe to use and uncontaminated by things like toxins to ensure that the food that grows there is safe to consume.

Supply chain segment

Agricultural inputs and primary production practices

Maturity level

Moving to scale

Criteria

Food quality Food affordability Climate mitigation Climate adaptation Soil health Increasing agrobiodiversity

SDG target

SDG 1: No Poverty SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Context

Urban Peri-urban Rural

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Sri Lanka's “Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu" homegardening project

Project information

For centuries, home gardening has been practiced among rural and urban houses in Sri Lanka, and recent policies, like the “Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu" project, aim to develop a self-sufficient agricultural sector.

Sri Lanka

journalcra.com/sites/...542.pdf

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Economic and Cultural Importance of “Kitchen Gardens” in Tajikistan Study

Project information

Paper detailing the transformation of the phenomenon of "kitchen gardens" in Tajikistan throughout the country's history and their importance.

Tajikistan

doi.org/10.1007/s1...-009-9278-6

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

Home Gardens Literature Review

Scientific paper

Literature review on home gardens and their social, economic, and environmental effects

doi.org/10.1186/20...48-7010-2-8

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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Breadcrumb

Intensive household gardening

Description of the innovative solution

Supply chain segment

Maturity level

Criteria

SDG target

Context

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

Sri Lanka's “Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu" homegardening project

Economic and Cultural Importance of “Kitchen Gardens” in Tajikistan Study

Additional resources

Home Gardens Literature Review

Contacts