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The Benefits of Home Gardens

Home gardens are a small-scale subsistence agriculture systems that are established by families to collect and supplement food needs. These garden plots often comprise a variety of fruits, vegetables, tree crops ornamental plants, medicinal plants, and livestock [11.

Many studies show that home gardens provide multiple advantages to families with limited resources. These benefits include nutrition and economics as well as sustainability, health of agroecosystems and health.

Nutritional Benefits

Numerous studies have shown that home gardens are vital in providing nutrition and food security. They can supply a variety of nutrients, provide a supplement to staple food and help to reduce "hidden hunger" and help prevent diseases caused by micronutrient deficiencies and improve the income and livelihood of families. They also provide ecosystem services and are often a way to promote community resilience to crises.

For instance, in Java, Indonesia 7% of the time people spend on gardening and it produces 44% of the household total calories consumed and 32% of their protein intake. This is much higher than the paddy rice, which accounts for only 6% of the daily calorie intake of a household (Sato and Perera).

In addition to providing a diverse range of vegetable garden fruits, tubers, and vegetables in the home, gardens provide significant amounts of protein minerals, vitamins (particularly vitamin C) as well as calcium, iron, folic acid, and other micronutrients that are essential. This is a great way to ensure an optimum diet and allows families to meet their nutritional requirements with a reasonable cost in comparison to commercial sources of food.

Certain gardens have been created to produce high-value crops, such as spices and herbs which can be sold in markets. This has brought in an additional source of income for households with low incomes, in particular women, while also improving their nutrition and health. Some households have also incorporated livestock and poultry into their gardens, to increase the availability animal proteins.

Gardening at home is often the most effective way to improve nutrition and food security in post-crisis situations. In the midst of the drought in Tajikistan 2010 a large number of households turned to their gardens for various vegetables and herbs that they planted in their emergency food storage. They also grew beans, which were cheap and comprised a significant part of their food supply. They were able to stay away from hunger and malnutrition and maintain their health while reducing their dependence on imported food items. This was an essential lifeline for families who were severely affected by the conflict, faced with economic difficulties and unemployment.

Economic Benefits

Gardening at home can provide a host of benefits, including food security and income generation. They provide a constant and reliable supply of fresh fruits vegetables, herbs, and spices, as well as animal products (e.g. milk and eggs) in addition to many ecosystem services such as soil fertility and water conservation. These numerous benefits make home gardening an attractive sustainable agriculture practice, especially in developing nations.

The role of home gardens as a source of staple food items and a buffer against food insecurity has been established in numerous studies. Research has shown that kitchen gardens can provide an unending supply of food to be consumed in the household, as well as an additional income from selling products at markets. These earnings can be used to pay for other necessities of the family such as healthcare, education and savings.

According to a review of the literature, women are responsible for the majority of raised garden plots in their homes. This is a reflection of the cultural norms that place a high value on women's role in the production of food and nutrition in the home. Women's involvement in the management of home gardens allows them to gain proficiency related to gardening and plant practices, which enhances their agronomic competence and helps meet the needs of families [41].

The study by Rowe also found that home gardens can supplement the diet of families that live in densely populated, degraded areas, and with limited land for crops. They accomplish this by increasing the supply and variety of foods with high nutritional density, thus improving dietary balance and health [5252.

Because of their geographical location and horticultural structure homes are often considered to be low-tech and cost-effective agriculture systems [53]. They make use of local resources such as soil, water and plants to achieve their objectives. This helps reduce investment and operating costs compared to the cost of purchasing commercially-produced food items and also generates economic benefits by decreasing household expenditure.

In addition to providing diverse sources of food and income, home gardens also encourage rural development and entrepreneurialism. They have proven especially efficient in post-conflict and fragile situations. In Tajikistan for instance that gained independence after the long civil war and natural disasters such as drought, home gardens were crucial in helping to alleviate the burden of poverty and ensure food security for the people.

Medicinal Benefits

Numerous studies across the globe have proven that home gardens provide a range of cultural and social as well as economic benefits. They can help improve the security of nutrition and food in various socio-economic and political situations, promoting family health and human potential, providing self-reliance and Start Gardening income, empowering women as well as preserving indigenous cultures and knowledge, and protecting natural resources. Home gardens also contribute to ecosystem services, including habitats for pollinators and animals, nutrient recycling, reduced soil erosion and watershed protection.

The wide range of benefits that backyard gardens can bring has led to them becoming a part of the landscape of agriculture in many of the developing countries across the world. In areas of upland in north-east India and Latin America for example, gardening at home can be an ancient ethnoecological (TEK) or a traditional response to the decline in soil fertility and the degradation of sites due to changing practices in agriculture.

In addition to their contribution to sustainable food production, home gardens have been shown to play a significant part in reducing 'hidden hunger' associated with micronutrient deficiency. As reported by Wiersum et al, the use of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in gardens flower at home allows families to have access to a healthy diet high in minerals and vitamins, helping them to avoid diseases caused by deficiency.

In countries in transition or have experienced a conflict, home start gardening (by Shopifyspy) can help improve the security of food, nutrition, and the quality of life. This is because it's flexible affordable and adaptable, particularly for families headed by women. Rowe found, for example, that in Tajikistan (which was able to break away from the Soviet Union but was plagued by civil war and a severe economic recession), households heavily relied on their garden to supplement their daily meals.

Additionally to that, the cultivation of medicinal plants in homes gardens has proven to be a major source of medicines and treatments for a variety of ailments in many developing countries. Local, traditional herbal medicine is usually cheaper to produce than pharmaceuticals. This makes it more accessible for those who are less fortunate.

Environmental Benefits

Home gardens are small-scale subsistence farming methods that provide food, household goods and other household items. They typically consist of a mix of trees, shrubs and perennial plants, herbs, spices, and ornamental species. They are also a vital source of income and livelihood opportunities particularly for households with limited resources.

Home gardening is a more healthy alternative to commercial agriculture, which is dependent on chemical inputs. They also help conserve biodiversity and natural resources.

A home garden can be an area for wildlife to live, like insects, birds and other animals, who depend on it to survive. It also provides protection from harsh elements including harsh sunlight and wind. In addition, a backyard garden can help reduce noise pollution due to traffic noise from busy roads. The tall plants in the garden will help absorb and deflect noise waves and maintain peace in your neighborhood.

In light of the increasing environmental issues, more focus is being put on establishing and enhancing local food systems. Gardening at home is becoming more well-known as a viable method to provide local ecosystem services and food services. A myriad of studies show positive effects on food security, nutrition and income generation particularly among poor families in urban and rural contexts.

Additionally, studies on the social aspects of garden maintenance also reveal positive effects on the welfare and social standing of household members, especially women. For example in the Achuar Indian community of the upper Amazon women's ability to maintain a lush garden enhances her status in society.

Gardens at home are the ideal way to build resilience in the event that you are confronted with food shortages or crises. They provide a low-cost, viable alternative to buying expensive food items from abroad. They also act as a catalyst for change and Start Gardening development through the empowerment of disadvantaged communities.