The contribution of urban community gardens to food availability in Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng Province
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The contribution of urban community gardens to food availability in Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng Province Thabo P. Modibedi 1 & Mosima R. Masekoameng 2 & Matome M. S. Maake 2
# The Author(s) 2020
Abstract This study investigated the contribution of urban community gardens to food availability in Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng Province of South Africa. The objectives were to determine the ability of the urban community gardens to produce vegetables throughout the year and to assess the contribution of these gardens to food availability. It was conducted in six (6) townships of Emfuleni Local Municipality by means of semi-structured survey questionnaires. A sample of 254 participants was randomly drawn from 418 urban farmers. A descriptive analysis technique and one-way ANOVA formed part of the data analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The study found that community gardens contributed to food availability of the respondents by providing fresh vegetables to most urban farmers and their household members throughout the year. Furthermore, it was discovered that there is no relationship between vegetable availability and gender of the respondents. Based on the results, the study recommended that farmers in urban community gardens should focus on increasing and sustaining their production to ensure that they have adequate vegetables to feed their families throughout the year. Keywords Community garden . Emfuleni . Food availability . Urban farming
Introduction Globally, urban agriculture is regarded as one of the livelihood strategies adopted by poor urban communities as a way to improve food security (Battersby & Marshak 2013). Moreover, it has been reported that urban agriculture includes community gardens in an urban setting (Reese 2014). Ferris et al. (2001) and Frayne et al. (2009) have stated that farming in an urban setting has the potential to improve the availability of local food in the surrounding areas. For example, Qiu * Thabo P. Modibedi [email protected] Mosima R. Masekoameng [email protected] Matome M. S. Maake [email protected] 1
Department of Student Affairs and Regional services, Vaal Regional Service center, University of South Africa, Corner Rhodes and Voortrekker Street, The hangar building, first floor, Pretoria, South Africa
2
Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Corner Christian De Wet & Pioneer Ave, Block B, Room 313, Roodepoort, South Africa
(2014) stated that neighbouring communities and farmers can easily source fresh vegetables from community gardens. Empirical evidence shows that some farmers mainly preferred to consume vegetables from their own community gardens in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines than from supermarkets (Agbayani et al. 2001). In another setting, Wise (2014) reported that in Australia about 91% of home and community gardeners saved money because of producing their own food. In some African countries, vegetable farming has provided a balanced diet
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