Factors Affecting Home Gardening as a Source of Enhancing Household Food Security: A Case Study in Mirigama Ds Division

Abstract

Home gardens can make a significant contribution in meeting daily household needs for better nutrition and health. The study was based on primary data consisting of hundred and fifteen households in Mirigama DSD selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire survey and a site observation was conducted to collect information and to evaluate home gardens respectively. Evaluation and grading was done based on a predefined criterion. Chi-Square test was applied to examine the relationship between the severity of the factors based on the interviews, and the grades obtained. Results obtained implied that frequency of involvement in home gardening activities, proportion of land used for food crop production, pest and diseases, crop damage due to wild animals, basic knowledge in agricultural practices, knowledge on methods of obtaining quality seeds and planting materials, basic knowledge in animal husbandry, influence by the government assistance and women participation had a significant relationship with the level of home gardening.