Contribution of home gardens to household food security in Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge in rural South Africa, where many households struggle to access nutritious and affordable food. Home gardens are widely promoted as a strategy to improve both food availability and income, yet their effectiveness under different socio-economic and resource conditions is not fully understood. This study assessed the contribution of home gardens to household food security in Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, with a focus on socio-economic and demographic determinants. A cross-sectional survey of 160 households was conducted using structured questionnaires to collect socio-economic and food security data. Household food security was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while Likert scales captured perceptions of gardening benefits and challenges. Ordered logit regression identified factors influencing food security outcomes. Results showed that participation in home gardening significantly enhanced household food security and income, with gardening households 52% more food secure than non-gardening households. Positive determinants included household size, employment, income diversity, and access to extension services, while household head age, larger farm size, and higher food expenditure negatively influenced food security. Constraints included limited financial support, theft, land shortages, labour, unpredictable climate, and weak extension services. The study concludes that home gardens are an effective livelihood strategy in rural South Africa, but their sustainability requires strengthened government and NGO support, subsidized inputs, training, and youth engagement.