Scaling Homestead Gardening for Food Security and Dietary Diversity in Two Climate Hotspot Regions of Bangladesh

Homestead gardening is a vital strategy for enhancing food security and dietary diversity in middle- and low-income countries facing climate change. Despite its recognized benefits, limited research explores its effectiveness across socioeconomic groups, particularly in improving dietary diversity in coastal Bangladesh. This research assesses the impact of homestead gardening on food security and diet diversity, identifies implementation challenges, and provides recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from 600 households across two climate hotspots – the Coastal Zone and the Barind and Drought-Prone Areas. Quantitative data were obtained through stratified random sampling, while qualitative insights were gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth household interviews. Results show that the average homestead size was estimated at 4.82 decimals. Women play a more dominant role in homestead gardening across most activities. Notable, in homestead gardens women spent more time because of their easy access and can work aside from their domestic chores. But still, social norms restricted women from going into the public sphere which is evident by selling the dominancy of men. Women cultivate a variety of crops and vegetables, including maize, green gram, chili, lady's fingers, brinjal, and pumpkin on a seasonal basis to maximize land use. The produce is primarily sold in local markets, although much of it is also consumed domestically. Women express moderate satisfaction with homestead gardening activities, with an average score of 6.5 out of 10, regarding its perceived benefits. Research reveals that participating in homestead gardening significantly boosts food security and dietary diversity. Families involved in homestead gardening tend to have higher scores on food consumption and experience fewer food insecurity indicators such as meals skipping or limiting dietary choices, leading to greater resilience against the effects of climate change. Women played a critical role in homestead gardening efforts, contributing to enhancing resilience. However, challenges such as limited access to resources, educational gaps, and gender biases have hindered the full potential of homestead gardening programs. Additionally, their low level of participation in social activities (61%) reveals an untapped opportunity to build community social capital, fostering the sharing of knowledge and actions, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. This study asserts that homestead gardening not only provides food security but also serves as an eco-friendly climate practice that empowers women and strengthens communities. As such, its practical implications require policies that allow access to resources, training, and assistance with gender-inclusive practices to increase homestead gardening as a strategy for increasing food security and dietary diversity.