Enhancing food security through keyhole gardening in Lesotho

Abstract

Keyhole gardens are gaining prominence worldwide due to their sustainable agricultural benefits. Additional evidence is required to inform keyhole gardening policy guidelines for combating food insecurity and poverty. This study employed an endogenous treatment effects estimator with ordered outcomes to assess keyhole gardening impact on food security. The study included data from 2,014 households in Lesotho. Our analysis shows that keyhole gardens have a 30.60% likelihood of achieving food security and reducing moderate and severe food insecurity by 11.02% and 41.62%, respectively. As a result, government and aid agencies should prioritize food-insecure households in keyhole garden initiatives.