Attitude Toward Backyard Gardening in Botswana

Attitude Toward Backyard Gardening in Botswana Stephen Kayode Subair Professor Faculty of Agriculture University of Botswana Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana Telephone: (+267) 65024 Fax : (+267) 2875 E-mail: ssubair@temo.bca.bw Makwapa Siyana Botswana College of Agriculture Private Bag 0027 Gaborone, Botswana Abstract A survey was conducted March 10-24, 2002 to find out the attitude of women towards backyard gardening in the Mochudi village of Botswana. The target population of the study was 42 women having backyard gardens. The formula developed by Krejcie and Morgan (1970) was used to select randomly 7 women engaged in backyard farming to constitute the sample size. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers and used to collect data. Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement on a five-point Likert-type scale used in the questionnaire. The statements in the domains were validated and the reliability estimate calculated and found to be between 0.71 0.77 for the attitude and factors influencing backyard gardening statements respectively. Results revealed that majority of the respondents were 41 years and above, had more than three children, and were earning less than P500 per month (about $70 per month.). Results also showed that most women had a favorable attitude towards backyard gardening but lack skills, inputs, water, and encouragement from extension workers. 612

Introduction One of the ways of ensuring food security in Africa is to encourage backyard gardening. Pacey (1978) noted that during hunger season, when stable food items are in short supply, fresh home gardening vegetables can be cultivated so that the whole diet in the family could be better balanced. A number of developments in the vegetable industry and in our overall economy resulting from high cost of energy and labor have contributed to an increased interest in home gardening. Many vegetables are becoming too expensive to the consumers, hence, home gardening can supply an important part of family diet and provide additional tax-free income. Also gardening can be an interesting, rewarding, healthful, and remunerating hobby. Collum (1995) noted that fresh home vegetables are superior in quality to those generally sold in the market and are readily available when needed. Home gardening can be managed to provide an ample supply of fresh vegetables through out the growing season. In developing countries, home gardening contains the highest level of plant genetic diversity. FAO (2000) found that about 20 different plant species are sheltering in 60 home gardens in Asian villages. Some of these traditional vegetable species have been overlooked in our modern society and yet were noted for good nutrition and medicinal purposes. A study of home gardening in humid Southern Kerela State of India did show that increased income from women s household gardens contributed to improved children nutrition, especially during the season when wage labor was scarce. A study of a 20-year old garden project in Senegal found that the women spend only a small fraction of their net income from gardening and made a lot of savings thereafter (Pacey,1978). In another area of Southern India, where Extension agents first promoted home gardening, men soon stopped gardening and women took over. The men said this was because gardening involves fetching water, which is regarded as women s activity and inappropriate for men. Again, marketing garden produce is seen as women s job as it is believed that it provides women with an opportunity to leave the house and socialize, especially with other women. Phelan, et al. (2002) observed that the changing structure of the Irish farming sector is part of a European-wide trend where the emerging model of agriculture is one comprised of a small number of highly developed commercial farmers and a large number of rural households who obtain income both on and off the farm. The role of women in agriculture and in rural development is increasingly recognized both at national and international levels. (Al-Rimawi, 2002) Women play a significant role in many agricultural activities; they produce over half of the world s food (Johnson, 1998) and account for 50% of the total labor engaged in agriculture (Das, 1995). Thus female activities in agriculture have attracted attention because of its potential contribution to the reduction of poverty, increased food security, and promotion of environmental sustainability (Muller, 1989). In Botswana, majority of women remain at home while their husbands are working, mostly at urban centers. This has increased the poverty level of women who in the first instance do not have access to land for farming. Despite these constraints, women are still expected by and large to provide food for their families. The possible solution to this expectation can be for them to be engaged in home gardening. This could enable them to 61

supplement their house food bill and at the same time kill boredom. In Botswana, home gardening is popular in Mochudi area of the Country. Mochudi is situated at the outskirt of Gaborone city where most husbands work in Government and private offices (ALDEP, 1982). Compared to Gaborone city, house rent and life generally are cheaper in Mochudi, hence most husbands with lower salaries live in Mochudi so as to enable them beat inflation typical of urban cities such as Gaborone. Most of the women who remain at home while their husbands are at work are engaged in backyard gardening. There is therefore a need to study their attitude towards back yard gardening. This study would hopefully provide some basic information on backyard farming in Botswana. Information gathered would hopefully provide ways and means of encouraging more women to establish backyard gardens. It would also enable the Extension Workers and the Ministry of Agriculture to know the problems encountered by women in backyard farming and how they could assist them to solve their problems. Purpose and Objectives of the Study The purpose of the study was to determine the attitudes of women towards backyard gardening in Mochudi area of Botswana. The specific objectives were to: (1) determine the personal characteristics of women who are engaged in backyard gardening in terms of age, marital status, educational status, gardening experience, number of children and income earned; (2) determine the attitudes possessed by the women who are engaged in backyard farming; () determine the factors influencing the establishment of backyard farming among the women of Mochudi area of Botswana; (4) determine the common problems faced by the women who are engaged in backyard gardening. Methodology The descriptive research method using interview schedule was employed in this study. The target population of the study was the forty-two (N = 42) women engaged in backyard gardening in Mochudi area of Botswana. Out of this population, the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) method for determining sample size was used to select randomly thirty eight (N =8) women for the study. Mochudi village was chosen because it has the largest concentration of women who are engaged in backyard gardening. The instrument for data collection was developed by the researchers with the help of relevant literature. The instrument was divided into four parts to satisfy the objectives of the study. In section A, respondents were asked to provide their demographic information. Section B and C consisted of closed ended questions on a 5-point Likert-type scale aimed at soliciting information on attitude of respondents towards backyard gardening and the factors influencing establishment of backyard gardening. Section D asked the respondents to state their major problems in backyard farming and possible solutions to the problems. Content validity of the instrument was established by three Lecturers in Agricultural Education at Botswana College of Agriculture. Reliability of the instrument was determined by pilot testing, using twenty women who are engaged in backyard farming in a neighboring village. The reliability coefficients were established using Crombach s alpha formula, which ranged between 0.71 to 0.77 for the attitude and factors affecting backyard gardening statements respectively. 614

Data were gathered by the researchers using the interview schedule. This method was used in case the respondents could not write or read. The data collection took two weeks from March 10 to March 24, 2002. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while means and standard deviations were used to analyze the attitude towards backyard gardening and the factors influencing backyard gardening in Botswana. The problems of backyard gardening identified by the respondents were tabulated against their suggested solutions. Results and Discussion Objective 1. Demographic characteristics of womenengaged in backyard gardening Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The personal characteristics were: age, marital status, educational level, working experience in backyard gardening, number of children and income earned from backyard gardening. The total number of respondents shown in Table 1 was 7. Out of the 7 respondents, 2 (5%) were between the ages of 21-25 years, 4 (11%) were between 26-0 years, 1 (%) was between 1-5 years, 10 ( 27%) were between 6-40 years and 20 (54%) were above 41. Concerning their marital status, 12 (2%) were single, 14 (8%) were married, (8%) were divorced, and 8 (22%) were widowed. For their educational level, 7 (19%) never attended school, 21 (57%) attended primary school, 9 (24%) attended junior secondary school, and no one attended senior and tertiary schools. Pertaining to their years of experience on vegetable gardening, 26 (70%) had 0 to 5 years experience, 4 (11%) have 6 to 10 years, 1 (%) had 11 to 15 years, and 6 (16) had 16 to 20 years. Regarding the numbers of children possessed by the respondents, 2 (5%) had no children, 1 (%) had one child, 4 (11%) had two children, 14 (8%) had three children, and 16 (4%) had more than three children. Concerning average income earned per month, 5 (95%) got less than P500, (about $70 per month), 1 (%) got between P500 and P0, per month and 1 (%) got between P0 and P1500 per month. 615

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of respondents at Mochudi village, Botswana Demographic Characteristics Frequency Percentage (%) Age: 21 25 years 26 0 years 1 5 years 6 40 years Above 41 years 2 4 1 10 20 7 5 11 27 54 Marital Status: Single Married Divorced Widowed. Educational Status: Never attended Primary school Junior secondary school Senior secondary Tertiary school Gardening experience: 0 5 years 6 10 years 11 15 years 16 20 years Number of Children: None One Two Three More than three Income: (Ave./ month) Less than P500 ($70) P500 P0 P0 P1500 12 14 8 7 7 21 9 0 0 7 26 4 1 6 7 2 1 4 14 16 7 5 1 1 7 2 8 8 22 19 57 24 0 0 70 11 16 5 11 8 4 95 616

Objective 2. Attitude of women towards backyard gardening Table 2 shows the attitude of women towards backyard gardening as perceived by respondents. The respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement regarding some statements on attitude of women towards backyard gardening, on a 5-point rating scale, anchored as follows: 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree), (undecided), 4 (agree), 5 (strongly agree. To interpret the data, the mean of and above was used to denote agreement while a mean below was used to denote disagreement. The results on Table 2 revealed that the means of the 18 statements ranged from 4.8 to 1.9. Furthermore, the statements in this domain were ranked. It was found that the statement, growing fruits and vegetables makes one useful to the economy received the highest ranking with a mean of 4.8. The statement, due to less and unreliable rainfall for field crops, women should establish backyard gardens, with a mean of 4.5 received second position. The statement which sought to find out if gardening has a future for most of the women received third position with a mean of 4.4. The statement, extension workers live in rural village in which they work, came fourth with a mean of 4.. Respondents disagreed with the following four statements: Less teaching effort is required before rural women can adopt new innovation, (mean = 2.9). Women usually have genuine reasons for resisting extension workers advice, (mean= 2.8). Extension workers spend enough time visiting women gardeners, (mean=2.6) and Extension workers also help in backyard farming (1.9). The overall mean when pooled together was.5, indicating a high degree of agreement with the statements in the domain. 617

Table 2. Attitudes of women towards backyard gardening, Mochudi village, Botswana Statements Means Sd Rank Decision Backyard gardening provide one with a. 1.0 15 Agree variety of interesting tasks Each day of garden work is full of excitement and challenges.5 1.0 9 Agree Compared to other jobs, gardening gives.4 1.1 1 Agree prestige There is much one can be proud of in.9 1.1 5 Agree gardening Due to less and unreliable rainfall for field 4.5 0.7 2 Agree crops, women should establish backyard gardens Gardening has the most of the characteristics of an ideal jobs.5 1.0 9 Agree Gardening gives one a chance to use his.5 1.0 9 Agree skills and knowledge Gardening has a future for most women 4.4 0.8 Agree Hard work is needed for progressing in.7 1.1 6 Agree gardening Extension workers also help in backyard 1.9 1.1 19 Disagree gardening Women usually have genuine reasons for 2.8 0.9 17 Disagree resisting extension workers advice Most women are intelligent to understand.5 1.0 9 Agree what gardening is all about Most women have the motivation to improve.5 1.0 1 Agree their gardens Less teaching effort is required before rural 2.9 0.9 16 Disagree women can adopt new innovation Rural women gardeners should be willing to.6 0.7 8 Agree put in longer hours of work The extension worker who is not concerned with the overall welfare of women in backyard gardening is doing half of his job.7 0.9 6 Agree Extension workers spend enough time 2.6 2.5 18 Disagree visiting women gardeners Extension workers live in rural village in 4. 0.9 4 Agree which they work Growing fruits and vegetables makes one 4.8 0.7 1 Agree useful to the economy Overall Mean.5 1.0 Agree 618

Objective. Factors influencing the establishment of backyard gardens Table shows factors influencing the establishment of backyard gardening as perceived by respondents. The respondents were asked to give their perceptions regarding some statements on the factors influencing the establishment of backyard gardening. The statements were anchored on a 5-point likert-type rating scale as follows: 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree) (undecided), 4 (agree), 5 (strongly agree). To interpret the data, the mean of and above was used to denote agreement while below was used to denote disagreement. The results on Table revealed that out of the six statements in this domain, the respondents agreed with all of the statements in varying degrees. The first being For ornamental purpose and To supplement food/nutrients, both with a mean of 4.2, followed by To gain experience/knowledge on farming with a mean of.9. To set up my own business with a mean of.7, while the statement, to kill boredom, had a mean of.4 and to raise funds with a mean of.0. The overall mean for this domain was.7, indicating a relatively high level of agreement with all of the statements when pooled together. Table. Factors influencing the establishment of backyard gardening in Mochudi village, Botswana Statements means Sd Rank Decision To supplement food/nutrients 4.2 1.1 1 Agree To raise funds.0 1.2 6 Agree To kill boredom.4 1.2 5 Agree For ornamental purpose 4.2 1.1 1 Agree To gain experience/knowledge on farming.9 0.8 Agree To set my own business.7 1.2 4 Agree Overall Mean.7 0.9 Agree Objective 4. Problems encountered and possible solutions as perceived by respondents Respondents were asked to list the problems encountered in backyard gardening and their solutions. The problems identified and their solutions were tabulated in Table 4. 619

Table 4. Problems encountered in backyard gardening and their solutions, Mochudi village, Botswana PROBLEMS Pests and Diseases Lack of input e.g., fertilizer, pesticides, fending materials, seeds Shortage of water Lack of skills and knowledge Lack of encouragement from extension workers SOLUTIONS Plant protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture to assist Government to assist in this area by subsidizing the prices of these input. Government to reduce water bills Extension Workers to teach women on vegetable production Extension workers to encourage them to establish backyard gardens Conclusions Based on the data collected, the following conclusions were reached: Concluding remarks on demographic characteristics of women engaged in backyard gardening in Mochudi 1. Majority of respondents were forty-one years and above, this shows that women who have backyard gardens were relatively old. 2. Majority of the women were single and had more than three children.. Majority of women attended primary school. As a result, they did not have much skills and have limited opportunities to improve their skills. 4. Majority of women had 1-5 years working experience in backyard gardening. Concluding remarks on attitude of women towards backyard gardening 1. Majority of the women agreed that growing fruits and vegetables makes one useful to the economy. 2. Majority of the women were of the opinion that due to less and unreliable rainfall for field crops in Botswana, women should establish gardens to cushion the effect of food shortage.. Majority of the women agreed that backyard gardening has a future for most women in Botswana.. 620

Concluding remarks on factors influencing the establishment of backyard gardening in Botswana Respondents agreed in varying degrees that all the statements examined under the factors influencing backyard gardening can influence one to go into the project. Although they agreed that the main aims of establishing backyard gardening were to supplement food/ nutrition of the family and also for ornamental purposes in their homes. Concluding statements on problems commonly encountered by women in backyard gardening. Respondents specified the following problems as commonly encountered by them. 1. Pests and diseases 2. Lack of input, e.g., fertilizer, pesticides, fencing, materials, and seeds. Shortage of water 4. Lack of skills and knowledge 5. Lack of encouragement from extension workers. Implications of the Study The findings reveal that a majority of the respondents who participated in backyard gardening were within the age bracket of 41 years and above. The implication of this is that people normally have children to cater for during this age bracket. They have the responsibility of providing all they can to support the growth and development of their children. In Botswana, where women are expected to contribute mostly to training and development of their children, backyard gardening offers this opportunity especially when the women are full house wives. Also, at this age, people normally would like to kill boredom and to engage themselves in a profitable venture, which backyard gardening can offer. The findings also revealed that most women who were engaged in backyard gardening have very little education and skills to perform optimally in backyard gardening. The Botswana government could establish a rural education and training center in various parts of the Country to tackle this problem. The fact that the respondents agreed that backyard gardening is succeeding in contributing significantly to food security in the Country is a good indication that Government of Botswana and other developing countries should work out a plan to support the backyard gardening project. The favorable attitude of respondents towards backyard gardening in Botswana is an indication that a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) would be useful to a Botswana community to consolidate this area. The problems commonly encountered by the respondents are indicative of the fact that the government of Botswana and its extension agency have never made an attempt to look into this area with a view to helping the backyard farmers attain optimal production. It would therefore be desirable for the Government to arrange to provide Extension Workers 621

and extension services to the people who are engaged in backyard farming. The respondents disagreed with the statement: Less teaching effort is required before rural women can adopt new innovation. The implication of this is that rural people are intelligent and are capable of using innovations disseminated to them, provided they are made to understand the benefits they will derive from the innovation and backed by the necessary resources to support the practice of the innovations. In general, this study has shown that backyard gardening is desirable and provides some additional income and food supply to people. The joy derived from backyard gardening and the physical exercises involved could help to keep the body in shape. References Ahmad Shukri Al- Ramawi. (2002). The role of Jordanian women farmers in Livestock production with implications to agricultural education. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. Vol. 9, number 1, Spring, pp 11 19. ALDEP Monitoring Unit. (1982). Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone. Collum, P. J (1995). Production of vegetable crops. Third edition. APS press, USA. Das, M.D. (1995). Improving the relevance and effectiveness of agricultural extension Activities for women farmers. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. FAO, (2000). Women in community forestry. Rome. pp7. Johnson, M.A (1998). Women s contribution to sustainable agriculture worldwide. A paper presented to sharing the lessons of organic farming, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and psychological measurement. (). Pp 607-610. Muller, R.D. (1989). Women s work in third world agriculture. Women, work and development, 9, International Labor Office, Geneva. Pacey, (1978). Gardening for better nutrition. Second edition. London. pp12. Phelan,G. Frawley, J. and Wallace, M. ( 2002). Off-farm employment and agricultural education. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. Vol.9, number 1, spring, pp 21 27. 622