An Assessment of the role of home/backyard gardens (micro gardens) in alleviating household food insecurity and improving dietary diversity in Tsholotsho district Zimbabwe

Abstract

In most developing countries food security has always been a challenge. The most affected are those that are in drought-stricken areas where there is low rainfall. The case has been made worse by the deteriorating economic and social conditions in which unemployment has been making the situation of food security and dietary diversity a nightmare, particularly in the rural areas. The main objective of the study was to assess the role of home/backyard gardens (micro gardens) in alleviating household food insecurity and improving dietary diversity in Tsholotsho district in Zimbabwe. The research adopted a multi-stakeholder participatory approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data, primary and secondary data from randomly selected 87 households within the district. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews were also conducted with key informant participants. In determining the contribution of household gardens, the researcher made a comparison of the means scores of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Household Dietary Diversity (HDD) of garden and non-garden owners. The results indicated that there was a significant mean difference between the two measures indicating that households with home/backyard gardens were more food secure and had a wider range of food choices than non-garden owners. In determining factors affecting garden establishment, a binary logistic regression model was employed. In this regard, farm size, household size and employment status were found to be statistically significant in influencing garden establishment. The study therefore recommends that households establish backyard gardens in order to be more food secure and generate income. The government and other donors or organisations should intervene and assist households to deal with challenges faced in gardening.

Keywords: Household, Food security, Dietary diversity, Backyard Garden, Socio-economic