Home Gardens in Less Developed Countries

Abstract

Abstract Home gardens are an ancient and widespread agricultural system. Today in the United States and other developed countries (DCs), the home garden remains as a popular hobby. Horticulture departments in the United States work with home gardeners as one of their land grant university responsibilities. What is the status of home gardens in the less developed countries (LDCs) of Africa, Asia, and Latin America? Are home gardens simply hobbies there as well? Can home gardens contribute to the nutritional and household needs of poor families in LDCs? What is the record of past home garden projects in these countries? Is there a state-of-the-art strategy to improve home gardens? Is there a role for the horticultural scientist? These questions are addressed in this review of home gardens in LDCs, their crops and role in meeting nutritional and other needs of poor families. The design and results of past home garden projects and 2 strategies for improving home gardens are evaluated. Recent initiatives by international agencies, e.g., UNICEF and USAID, and the challenge these present to horticultural scientists also are discussed.