Compositions, practices and constraints of home garden: the case of Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia

Abstract

Bahir Dar city has suitable agro-ecologies for production of different types of fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately the area allotted for these crops, and their production and productivity are very low. There is a dearth of research and documentation on household gardens in the town. The present study attempted to assess the home garden species diversity, composition, challenges and to keep the documentation about home gardening as special references for horticultural crops in Bahir Dar city. The research was carried out in seven selected sub-cities of Bahir Dar between September and June 2020. Semi-structured questioners and interviews, as well as home garden visits, were used to collect data. 302 families were chosen based on the availability of kitchen gardening space and where kitchen gardening is already done. According to the findings of this study, home gardens in Bahir Dar city had a high species diversity and a diverse composition (especially horticultural crops) such as mango, avocado, papaya, head cabbage, tomato, and lettuce. Furthermore, as a source of additional food, home gardens significantly benefit both the gardener and society as well as income, and environmental improvement of the community. However, insufficient agricultural support encourages the use of pesticides, and small garden sizes reduce diversity of species and production. If interested organizations and scholars give these issues some thought, the hotspot will continue to sustainably support home gardening and its current biodiversity in the future.

Public Interest Statement

Home gardens are repositories of biocultural assets of communities, the hub of plant based resources and the microcosms of agro biodiversity hotspots. But, as population pressure increases over time in the area, expansion of agricultural land (by deforestation), degradation of land and the demand for food will also increase. Thus, in the long run, people in the cities may be limited to their home garden for food supply with little other supplements. Therefore, assessing and documenting current home garden systems in the city along with local people ethnobotanical knowledge of the local people about them with a special reference to horticultural crops is very important.

Keywords:

• Bahir Dar city
• challenges
• ethno botanical
• horticulture
• kitchen garden

Reviewing Editor:

• M. Luisa Escudero-Gilete, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

Subjects:

• Horticulture; Agriculture and Food; Plant Ecology; Nutrition

1. Introduction

1.1. Background and justification

The evolution of early agriculture and the continuous process of domesticating crops and fruit trees were greatly aided by home gardens, which are among the world’s most complex and diversified agro ecosystems (Kewessa, 2020). Home gardens are generally understood to be any area of land with a clearly defined border surrounding a homestead that is planted with a variety of annual and perennial plant species and organized in a multilayered vertical structure. These gardens are frequently maintained together with livestock raising and are primarily managed by household members for subsistence needs (M. Kebebew, 2018).

Growing food at home has shown to be a successful strategy for increasing household food security. In many Asian countries, the production of fruits and vegetables in the home garden has a major impact on the rise in the consumption of these kinds of foods (Keller, 2010). For low-income rural and urban households worldwide, homestead production is a significant additional source of income (Galhena et al., 2013). Furthermore, crop plants, trees, and tree products from home gardens contribute significantly to family food security since they provide a sustainable source of food, fruits, and vegetables (Mengitu and Fitamo, 2015).

The Amhara region is the largest and most populous region in Ethiopia. According to the estimate of CSA in 2008, the population of Amhara region is 20,136,000 (CRSPT, 2000). Bahir Dar, the region’s capital, is rapidly urbanizing, with numerous industrial and infrastructure improvements underway. As population pressure in the area increases over time, agricultural land expansion (by deforestation), land degradation, and food demand will also rise. As a result of the rapid growth in population density, an individual’s landholding reduces (Ricker-Gilbert et al., 2014). Thus, in the long run, people in the cities may be limited to their home garden for food supply with little other supplements. However, detailed analyses of home garden species diversity and composition, marketability, main factors responsible for home garden changes, the associated indigenous knowledge and ethno botanical information are missing. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess and document current home garden systems in Bahir Dar city along with local people ethno botanical knowledge of the local people about them with a special reference to horticultural crops.

1.2. Significance of the study

Those who are interested might use this study as a source of information or as a reference material to perform related studies on this similar or different work and area in the future. Additionally, it supports urban residents’ appropriate home gardening practices. In particular, it offers suitable home garden ideas for low-income families, agricultural laborers, suburban residences, public spaces, parks, and the growing number of rural communities being built on formerly open rangelands. Furthermore, the knowledge contained in this resource will increase rural livelihood society’s opportunities. The community may become more conscious of the home garden’s value to livelihood and the ecosystem as a whole as a result of the study’s findings.

3. Material and methods

3.1. Area description

This study was conducted within 5 km radius from the center of Bahir Dar city, the capital of Amhara national region, state of Ethiopia. The objective of the study is to improve the efficiency and productivity of home garden owners. Bahir Dar city is located at 11˚38′ N and 37˚10′ E on the Southern side of Lake Tana (the beginning of the Blue Nile River) and it covers an area of 16,000 ha (Figure 1). The city’s geography is mostly flat, with elevations varying from 1786 to 1870 meters above sea level. The slope varies from near zero to 20% in a few hillsides, with the majority of the city falling below 2%. Bahir Dar’s average annual maximum and lowest temperatures are 26.2 °C and 10.9 °C, respectively, with a mean daily temperature of 18.5 °C. Between May/June and September/October, the city receives a total annual rainfall of 1224 mm. The city’s population is predicted to be 204,368 people. The city is divided into 17 kebeles, which are the urban structure’s lowest administrative units. In 2007, the city’s growth was aided by fast population increase and migration from rural to urban areas. Bahir Dar has a population of 220,344 people (107,578 males and 122,766 women) (BoFED, 2010).

Figure 1. Map of the study area (left: Bahir Dar city; right: The Amhara Regional State).

3.2. Data collection

Data was collected at the household level using the sample survey method. Through registered data from sub-city administrative sources, secondary sources were used to gather data on population status, temperature, altitude, and yearly rainfall. Through questionnaire-based interviews with homeowners and small-group discussions, information about the advantages of home practice for livelihood, the species composition component, and the difficulties of home gardening was gathered (primary sources). Structured surveys and interviews with owners, as well as a guided garden tour and repeated observations, were used to collect the necessary data in all sub-cities. The questionnaires included several questions such as the current status of kitchen gardening/cultivating/amount of vegetables and fruits/major constraints such as access to input/available space for kitchen garden/institutions that may support them (training)/market opportunities/challenges/land holding and ways of cultivating the products, education status of households, and awareness/attitude toward kitchen gardening.

3.2.1. Sampling technique

A reconnaissance survey was conducted in the beginning of the study to select sub-cities in Bahir Dar for proposed study. Among the 9 sub-cities of the study area, 7 sub-cities were selected based on availability of space for kitchen gardening and where already the kitchen gardening is being practiced. Total sample sizes for this study were 302 households. Numbers of Sample Households from each sub-city were decided based on the number of people living that particular area. i.e. people living in a given area is high, the number of sample households surveyed were high. From the selected Sub-cities, households were surveyed randomly, among the ones fitting the criteria of the study i.e., having space and practicing kitchen gardening in any form (Graph 1).

3.3. Data collection and analysis

The Collected data was analyzed using SPSS Statical software through descriptive statistical analysis, excel and interpreted and presented by using tables, percent (%) and charts.

4. Result and discussion

4.1. Households’ characteristics

A total of 302 householders were involved in the study of which 57.6% were male and the remaining 42.4% female (Graph 2). Respondents with different levels of education were included in the study: Majority of them, 33.5% (101HH), had twelve in educational level, 25.1% (76HH) of the respondents were Illiterate and 0.9%, 7.99%, 14.24%, 17.9%, of the respondents were PhD, MSc, BSc and Diploma, respectively (shown in Table 1).

Graph 1. Sub-city of the respondent at Bahir Dar city.Source: Own survey, 2020.

Table 1. Respondent status based on their level of education.

Respondents status of education	No. of respondents	Percentages (%)
PhD	3	0.9
MSc.	24	7.99
BSc.	43	14.24
Diploma	54	17.9
12 complete	101	33.5
Illiterate	76	25.1
Total	302	100

Source: Own survey, 2020.

4.2. Benefits of home garden to livelihood and incomes secured from home garden

According to this study, the purpose of cultivating (growing) horticultural crops in home gardens was quite different among households. As shown in Graph 3, majority of the owners (46.7%) were cultivating in their home garden for home consumption, whereas 28.1% was cultivated in home garden for sale and to secure incomes. 16.2% of home gardeners are producing for both, market and home consumption. According to the study, house gardens are crucial for helping the local communities’ standard of living. The respondents claimed that financial gains (contribution) were the main advantage of having a home garden. In the research area, home gardens provided economic benefits through direct product consumption, sales, and assistance for households buying grain from the nearby market. The other contribution home gardening particularly fruit trees was its shade value. This result is in line with the study of Amenu (2017) reported that home garden is believed to provide a number of benefits to families, regarding from improving nutrition and providing a source for additional house hold income. Wezel and Bender (2003) as cited by Amenu (2017) result shows Cuban home gardens are significant as feed suppliers, especially because of low-paid alternate employment and minimal food provisions by the government. And also Z. Kebebew et al. (2011) reported that small holder farmers attained feed security through own production and purchasing from local market.

Graph 2. Gender of the respondent. Source: Own survey, 2020.

In our results it appears that households mainly focus on economic contribution; they don’t focus on environmental contribution of home garden. Only some respondents responded that home garden provide environmental benefits like shade for their livestock and shade to coffee. This finding agrees with Z. Kebebew et al. (2011) who reported that home garden can provide different environmental benefits like, environmentally sound opportunities for waste disposal. According to this study 26–29% of the respondent, declare that the income that they secure from home garden selling ranges from 101 to 1000 birr per annum (Table 2).

Table 2. Response of households for income from home gardening.

Income per year from fruit crop	Frequency	Percent (%)
None	40	13.2
1–100 birr	14	4.6
101–500 birr 501–1000 birr	88 79	29.1 26.2
>1000 birr	81	26.8
Total	302	100.0

Source: Own survey, 2020.

4.3. Home garden size, production practices and training access of households for home gardens

According to this research result in 7 sub cities of the study area, the size of home gardens for 302 householders were different in size arranged from 10 to 60 m² (Table 3). Distinct variation in size, diversity and composition of species was observed among home gardens.

Table 3. Land covered by fruit and vegetables and access for training.

	Variables	Frequency	Percent (%)
1.	Home garden size (area covered by fruit and vegetable)
	0–10 (m^2)	85	28.1
	11–30 (m^2)	141	46.7
	31–60 (m^2)	49	16.2
	60 (m^2)	27	8.9
2. Access to training
	Yes	11	3.6
	No	291	96.4
	Total	302	100.0

Source: Own survey, 2020.

Of the total surveyed households, 46.7% had between 11 and 30 m² size home gardens (Table 3). With increasing size of home gardens, more richness of horticultural crop composition was observed. A similar study conducted in southern Ethiopia, Mekonen et al. (2015) revealed that as the size of home garden increases, so does the diversity of plant species.

This study also revealed that 97.4% of the respondents followed poor management practices while they were cultivating own home garden (Graph 4). The division of labor among family members was used to manage household gardens. Women were involved in home garden management to a greater extent than men, according to observations and interviews with informants. Men’s activities were restricted to fencing, while women were more active in planting, watering, and pulling weeds. According to research done in Tanzania (Rugalema et al., 1994) and Ghana (Bennett-Lartey et al., 2004), women predominate when it comes to hoeing, weeding, and harvesting. Regarding to the awareness of peoples for home gardening, almost the entire respondent (99.7%) had showed positive attitude about home gardening of horticultural crops (Graph 5). According to this study growers have not obtained enough training on how cultivate horticultural crops and manage home garden, as indicated in Table 3, 96.4% of the respondent doesn’t get any training access and are cultivating horticultural crops with their indigenous knowledge.

Graph 3. Purpose of the production.Source: Own survey, 2020.

Graph 4. Production practices of the respondent.Source: Own survey, 2020.

Graph 5. Attitude and awareness of the respondent about the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables.Source: Own survey, 2020.

4.4. Challenges of home garden in the study area

The findings of this study indicate that, despite the area’s suitability for growing horticulture crops of any kind, most households do not plant the aforementioned fruit and vegetable varieties for biotic and biotic reasons. The survey results show that the constraints on urban agriculture in Bahir Dar city are numerous; according to this study, the key bottlenecks include a lack of land, input, time, a lack of knowledge, and insect problems (Table 4). Among the several problems listed above, most respondents noted a lack of expertise (30.13%), an input difficulty (26.82%), and a shortage of land (21.2%), as shown in Table 4. Growers obtain planting materials (seeds, seedlings) from a different of sources, including locally prepared and local market. This means that most of them are not addressed by the distribution of enhanced horticultural crop planting materials. The majority of home gardeners in the study area used inorganic fertilizer (DAP and Urea) at lower rates than recommended. Some producers used organic fertilizer, which does not breakdown effectively. This incorrect action exposed their horticulture crops, particularly root and leafy, to disease and insect damage. Because DAP and Urea are so expensive, some households prefer to utilize well-decomposed organic fertilizer (compost). According to this study, growers have not received adequate training about home garden production packages, as shown in Table 4, and 30.13% of respondents do not have access to training.

Table 4. Challenges of home garden practices in the study area.

Type of challenge	Frequency of respondent	Challenge in percent (%)
Land shortage	64	21.2%
Input problem	81	26.82%
Knowledge problem	91	30.13%
Pest problem	42	13.90
Time problem	17	5.63
Market problem	7	2.3%
Total	302	100

Source: Own survey, 2020.

4.5. Composition of horticultural crops in a home garden

The findings of the species composition evaluation (with reference to horticultural crop) revealed that 12 different horticultural crops were detected in the home garden (Table 5). Mango (Mangifera indica), Avocado (Persia americana), Papaya (Carricca papaya), Head cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) were the most cultivated (common) species (10–15.9%) in the home garden (Table 5). Therefore, home garden plants in the study area were composed of fruit trees, vegetables, coffee, spice and medicinal plants. Among different fruit crops, mango and avocado were the dominant part of the garden. Among different vegetables Head cabbage, lettuce and Swiss chard were the dominant vegetable crops grown by the home gardeners. The possible reason for this is that households with small home garden select to grow the most useful plant species and to give less focus with plant of less use. For this reason, their home garden was dominated by few, but most useful, plant species. Similarly, households with large home garden have enough space but use it for other activities, like livestock rearing and resting place. Moreover, some Home garden owners reported that home garden species diversity could be related to factors such as access to water, personal interests, demand of the family and market, size of a home garden and the level of pest infestation in plants. It has been noted elsewhere that the switch from polycultural gardening practices to the cultivation of a small number of food crops that generate money could be the cause of low species diversity (Mekonen et al., 2015).

Table 5. Composition of horticultural crops in the study area.

Type of fruit/s produced per household	Frequency of respondent	Percent (%)
Mango	96	30%
Avocado	55	18.5%
Papaya	23	8%
Guava	43	14.23%
Lemon	13	4.3%
Head Cabbage	18	6%
Tomato	11	3.64%
Swiss chard	18	6%
Lettuce	7	2.3%
Others^a	17	5.6%
Total	302	100

^aOthers means Coffee, Medicinal plants and Spices. Source: Own survey, 2020.

5. Conclusion

According to the findings of this study, home gardens in Bahir Dar city have a high species diversity and a diverse composition (especially horticultural crops). In their home gardens, homeowners integrate various species, such as papaya, avocado, and mango, with crops including lettuce, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and head cabbage. Home gardens offer substantial benefits to both the grower and the community, serving as a source of additional food, revenue, and beautifying the town’s surroundings. However, pests, small gardens, inadequate input, ignorance, and inadequate support for agriculture all have an impact on species diversity. If these issues are addressed by concerned institutions and academics, the hotspot will be able to retain its current biodiversity and Home gardening on a long-term basis.

6. Recommendation

The study’s findings indicate that home gardens can help local people solve their livelihood concerns. Households in the area were more proactive in diversifying the component and developing home gardens, which were mostly used for home consumption and economic purposes with economically essential crops.

As a result, further study on horticulture crop home garden, with a focus on home garden, should be conducted in order to improve the system’s importance. Academicians/experts should conduct production package trainings to close the household knowledge gap. Researchers should focus on communities and deliver enhanced suited cultivars for home garden growth.

Authors’ contributions

All authors contribute equally on this study.

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Bahir Dar University for financial support and the local people for providing necessary data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are included in the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tadele Yeshiwas

Tadele Yeshiwas, MSc, is a full time lecturer in horticultural courses in department of horticulture, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. He is actively involved in community based services, teaching and conducting a research that can answer/solve now a day’s facing farmer’s problem in horticultural crop production. His key research interest is soil fertility, post harvest and agronomic management for improvement of production and productivity of horticultural crops.

Melkamu Alemayehu

Melkamu Alemayehu, PhD, is an associate professor in the field of Horticulture, especially in vegetable production and Head of the Horticulture Research Group in College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. His key research interest is soil fertility management for improvement of production and productivity of horticultural crops.

Fenta Assefa

Fenta Assefa is a full time lecturer in Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He had published nine (9) articles in sciences indexed journal and review two manuscripts one in cogent food and agriculture and another in Elsevier as a reviewer till now. Currently, he is involved in teaching major courses, community based services and conducting research in plant sciences. Basically his research interest focuses on agronomy, plant entomology and pathology.

Selamawit Zelalem

Selamawit Zelalem, MSc, is a full time lecturer in horticultural courses in department of horticulture, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. She is actively involved in community based services, teaching and conducting a research that can answer/solve now a day’s facing farmer’s problem in horticultural crop production. Her key research interest is soil fertility, post harvest and agronomic management for improvement of production and productivity of horticultural crops.