The sources of seeds/planting materials for home gardens are largely through self-
maintenance and farmer-to-farmer exchange constitutes about 52-70 per cent of total
requirements (Gautam et al., 2006).
The selection and maintenance of seeds and planting materials of plant species in the
home gardens is influenced by farmers’ household needs for food and income, and
their knowledge and innovation. Unique plant species and varieties, often resulting
from out-crossing, have been found being maintained in the home gardens (Gautam
et al., 2006).
Local innovation and adaptation for perennial management of plant species that are
usually produced under annual management practices in the commercial production
system.
Home gardens tend to be good in soil fertility. Soil fertility management of home
gardens is largely recycling and organic based. The system is integrated with
indigenous plant protection measures with minimum use of chemicals as it is used for
home consumption.
Species selection of home garden is often designed for multiple harvests to supply
diverse food during lean period and linked with food processing requirements.Home gardens as sources of family income
Home gardens also supplement family income, especially in areas with some market
access, and hold great opportunity for production and marketing of health foods. This is quite
evident in the Eastern Nepal where market network is well established. Chayote (Sechium
edule), Akbare chili (Capsicum spp.), Rayo sag (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) and Binhee
(Solanum anguivi) produced in the home gardens are widely marketed and provide
supplementary income to the farming families. The baseline study of the project sites shows
that more than 80% of the farmers of Ilam, a project site with a good market network, sell
their home garden produce in the market. Home garden produces have high market demand
due to their health and cultural food values.
Home garden as a site for domestication and experimentation
Home gardens have traditionally been used as sites for introduction, domestication and
experimentation for new plant species/ varieties. Following feature elucidate this:
Home gardens serve as site for domestication of wild plant species/ varieties (Gautam
et al., 2004).
Home gardens are safe refuge of many uncultivated and under-utilized plant species
not found in the larger production systems.
Home gardens are sites for introduction of new plant species/ varieties.
Home gardens are often site for variety of experimentations for species selection,
breeding, adaptive management and uses.
Home garden farmers have rich knowledge about species, management requirements and
use value
Home gardens are largely managed by farmers themselves with much research and
development interventions. All gender have their own role in management of home gardens,
however, women play key role. Farmers, therefore, have rich traditional knowledge on
production management and uses, especially about:
Managing a large number species within a limited land area.
Soil fertility and plant protection management.
Interaction management.
Seed/planting material management.
Use value – both fresh and processed.