Home gardening in Trincomalee district: A sustainable food security strategy

Abstract

Ensuring food security in crisis-prone regions requires sustainable and resilient livelihood strategies. Home gardening plays a crucial role in household food security, particularly among vulnerable communities. This study examines the food security status of home gardeners in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, using the Coping Strategies Index (CSI) and explores the coping mechanisms they employ. The research assesses the socio-economic status of home gardeners, garden characteristics, the frequency and severity of coping strategies used and the contribution of home gardens to food security. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 home gardeners across four Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions. Food security levels were assessed using the CSI, calculated by assigning severity weights to coping behaviors and multiplying them by their frequency of use. The findings highlight the significant role of home gardening in Trincomalee, with 69% of respondents engaged full-time, primarily on owned land (86%) and the majority (82%) practicing it for over a decade. Gardens are diverse, featuring vegetables, fruits and livestock integration. The CSI analysis revealed that 67% of households were moderately food secure while 17% experienced food insecurity, relying on high severe coping strategies such as reducing meal portions and skipping entire meals. Common coping mechanisms included income diversification, borrowing food and increased reliance on homegrown produce. Regression analysis reveals key factors influencing monthly income from home gardening. Among the independent variables, garden extent has a significant positive impact on income (P < 0.001), indicating that larger gardens generate higher earnings. Gender is also a significant, with female respondents earning less than their male counterparts (P = 0.019). Interestingly, part-time involvement in gardening does not significantly affect income (P = 0.118), suggesting full-time commitment may not be essential for substantial earnings. Moreover, membership in organizations negatively influences income, with non-membership associated with a significant decrease in earnings (P = 0.002). Regarding gardening experience, respondents with five to ten years of experience (P =0.228) and those with over ten years of experience (P = 0.449) do not show significant income differences, suggesting experience alone does not necessarily translate into higher earnings. These findings highlight the role of home gardens in mitigating food insecurity by reducing dependence on external food sources and providing economic stability. Strengthening institutional support, enhancing access to resources and promoting sustainable home gardening practices are essential to further improving household food security in the region.