Social and Economic Implications of Home Gardening on the Livelihood of Farm Households in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the social and economic implications of home gardening on farm households in the study area. It specifically assessed the various plants and enterprises undertaken under home garden in the area, established the pattern of home garden production, elucidated the social and economic benefits of home gardening and examined the factors that affect home garden production. The readily available land and capital inputs were the basic factors that significantly determined home garden production and thus contribute to improved household income of the gardeners. The study recommends increased research intervention in home gardening which could be stimulated by creation of platform to discuss home garden issues and encouraging all households to engage every fallow land around them to the practice of home gardening. This will in addition to helping household members keep fit which provide a meaningful non monetized return to the household would also contribute in terms of better nutrition and improved income.

Keywords: Home garden, social, medicinal, economic, livelihood, Abia State