The Role of Homegardens for Food and Nutrition Security in Uganda

• Published in: Human ecology : an interdisciplinary journal Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 497 - 514
• Main Authors: Whitney, Cory William, Luedeling, Eike, Hensel, Oliver, Tabuti, John R. S., Krawinkel, Michael, Gebauer, Jens, Kehlenbeck, Katja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer 01.08.2018; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agrobiodiversity; Anthropology; Anthropometry; Body measurements; Economic factors; Environmental Management; Farmers; Food; Food security; Geography; Modes of production; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Nutrition; Regression analysis; Regression models; Rural areas; Security; Social factors; Social Sciences; Socioeconomic factors; Socioeconomics; Sociology; Uganda; Southwest Uganda; Banyankole; Food security; Anthropometry; HFIAS; Plant species diversity; Dietary diversity; Bakiga
• ISSN: 0300-7839; 1572-9915
• DOI: 10.1007/s10745-018-0008-9

The contribution of homegardens to the food and nutrition security of rural farmers has rarely been explored empirically. Our study assesses the influence of homegarden agrobiodiversity, production system parameters, and socioeconomic factors on household dietary diversity and anthropometrie conditions in southwest Uganda. Plant inventories of 102 homegardens were followed by two 24-h recalls (n = 589) and anthropometrie measurements (n = 325) of household members, as well as household food insecurity questionnaires (n = 95). Regression models explained between 16 and 50% of variance in dietary diversity and between 21 and 75% in anthropometrie measurements. Results indicate that supporting diverse homegarden systems can in part reduce food insecurity in Uganda. We conclude with recommendations for further strengthening the role of homegardens in improving dietary and anthropometrie outcomes.