Benefits of Home Garden Farming Practices among Urban Households in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the benefits of home garden farming among urban households in Kogi state, Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to (i) determine the crops produced by the households; (ii) assess the perceived benefits of home gardens to households; determine the knowledge level of households on home gardens among others. A total of 149 urban dwellers were selected as respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Data collected were analysed with frequency, percentage, mean, and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistics. Findings showed that 50.3% of the respondents had tertiary education. Tomatoes (53%) and pepper (50%) were the main crops cultivated in their garden. 53.5% grew the crops at the back of their houses and 69.4% planted their crops on bare land. Topmost benefits of home garden farming indicated were contribution to income generation (mean=4.79), promotion of agri-entrepreneurship development (mean=4.74), and improvement of household food nutrition (mean=4.68). The main constraint to home garden farming was an inadequate supply of seeds and planting materials (mean=2.38). PPMC analysis shows that increased household size (r = 0.17, p<0.05) supports home garden farming while the increase in years of age (r = -0.22, p<0.01) negates home garden farming. This study concludes that home garden farming has contributed to income generation, promotion of agri-entrepreneurship development and improved household food nutrition of urban households in Kogi State. Extension policies and programs are needed to promote home garden farming towards an adequate supply of seeds and planting material for urban dwellers in Kogi State.