Contribution of Home Gardening to Household Vegetable Consumption During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate growers’ perception of home gardening and find out the contribution of home gardening towards household vegetable consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research was conducted in Mandonga and Abeli Subdistricts, Kendari Municipality, Southeast Sulawesi Province, from July to December 2022. Sixty growers were selected as respondents from housewives who have practiced home gardening for at least five years. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and chi-square test. Study results showed that growers had positive perception of practices and benefits of home gardening. There were 14 kinds of vegetables planted, contributing to household vegetable consumption. During the pandemic, half of the respondents had increased their home-grown vegetable, while the remaining half decreased compared to pre-pandemic level. Motivation for practicing home gardening was the only factor significantly associated with vegetable consumption during pandemic, whereas age, income, educational level, type of job, size of yard, attendance in training and extension, and years of home gardening experience were not significantly associated. Respondents have a very positive perception of home gardening and the benefits of vegetables from the yard. They tend to maintain this perception and will continue to use their yard to grow vegetables in the future.