Assessing the contribution of backyard gardening to food availability

Abstract

Abstract The study assessed the contribution of backyard gardening towards food availability in Nabigasa Sub County. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if backyard gardening has had any positive contribution towards food availability so that mechanisms for scaling up the farming system can be devised for enhancing food security in the district. The study was guided by three objectives which included; establishing the backyard gardening designs used in Nabigasa Sub County, comparing food availability levels among adopters and non adopters and exploring mechanisms for scaling up backyard gardening in rural households. The study employed cross sectional comparative and case study research designs. A sample size of 223 respondents was selected using snow ball and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using non-participant observation, key informant interviews and questionnaire survey. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20. It was established that several backyard gardening designs were adopted including key hole, mandala, basket, sunken, double dug and raised bed designs. These were introduced by Send a Cow Uganda. It was further established that backyard gardening has a significant effect on food availability, with adopters of backyard gardening being more food secure compared to those that are not practicing it. The variables were analysed at the confidence interval of 95% with 5% standard error. From the results generated by the paired samples test there was a confirmation that there is a statistical significant difference between adopters and non – adopters in food availability since all p-values Sig. (2-tailed) in parameters measured are less than 5%. Proposals for scaling up backyard gardening were also advanced by the farmers including formation of backyard gardening groups, enacting laws, peer based backyard gardening and extensive rural based services. Conclusively, backyard gardening has a positive effect on food availability and should therefore be adopted by all rural households for enhanced food availability. Enhanced research and clear stakeholder analysis should be made for effective backyard gardening. Key Words: Adopters, Backyard Gardening, Food Availability, Food Security, Non Adopt