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Gwacela M, Cleopas Ngidi MS, Hlatshwayo SI, Ojo TO. Analysis of the Contribution of Home Gardens to Household Food Security in Limpopo Province, South Africa. SUSTAINABILITY 2024; 16:2525. [PMID: 39076930 PMCID: PMC7616314 DOI: 10.3390/su16062525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Addressing food security is one of the national priorities in South Africa, enshrined under the country's constitution, yet there is a growing percentage of households struggling to meet their food requirements. Food insecurity and malnutrition remain severe problems in rural communities and can be addressed through home gardening. This study aimed to assess the contributions of home gardens to food security in Limpopo Province. This study employed a quantitative research methodology. A total of 2043 rural households were selected using multistage stratified random sampling. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure household food insecurity levels of home garden participants. Results showed that 46% of participants were food secure, 24% were severely food insecure, 17% were moderately food insecure and 13% were mildly food insecure. The results from the endogenous switching Poisson regression model showed that gender, household size, wage/salary, access to land, agriculture-related assistance and market distance had a positive influence on household food security of home garden participants. On the other hand, employment status and receiving any social relief had a negative association with household food security of home garden participants. The results also showed that employment status had a positive influence on the food security of home garden non-participants, while education, access to land, wage/salary and age had a negative influence. The results from average treatment effects (ATEs) showed that households that participated in home garden production had a negative and significant (p-value < 0.05) impact on household food insecurity. This study concludes that involvement in home gardening improves food security. Household food security can be enhanced through agricultural training and skills enhancement directed at increasing participation in home gardening in rural areas, thus addressing income and food security challenges. Agricultural education needs to be introduced and facilitated at school levels so that an understanding of food systems, nutrition and food security can be attained from younger age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbalenhle Gwacela
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg3201, South Africa
- Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg3201, South Africa
| | - Mjabuliseni Simon Cleopas Ngidi
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg3201, South Africa
- Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg3201, South Africa
| | - Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo
- Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg3201, South Africa
| | - Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife220103, Nigeria
- Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein9301, South Africa
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Phulkerd S, Gray RS, Chamratrithirong A, Pattaravanich U, Thapsuwan S. Financial satisfaction, food security, and shared meals are foundations of happiness among older persons in Thailand. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:690. [PMID: 37875829 PMCID: PMC10599056 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between happiness and food-related behaviours and other potential factors among older persons in Thailand. This was a cross-sectional study with multistage random sampling. In total, 1,197 older (age 60 + years) persons participated in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain information about socio-demographic characteristics, health status, household chores, home gardening, financial situation, family meals, and food security. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were performed for data analysis. The analysis found that age, health status, household chores, and home gardening were found to be significantly associated with happiness. Statistically-significant associations of financial situation, family meals, and food insecurity with happiness were also observed. People who were not dissatisfied with their financial situation were happier than people who were unhappy with their financial situation. Older people who ate every meal with a family member(s) were happiest. People who had severe food insecurity were less happy than those with food security. The findings suggest the need for investment priorities on food and nutrition with a long-term policy to ensure financial self-sufficiency and food security among older persons and their family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirinya Phulkerd
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
| | | | | | - Umaporn Pattaravanich
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Sasinee Thapsuwan
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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