Profiling and determining household’s factors influencing crop diversity and animal species inclusion in home gardening, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract Home gardening is a game-changer for ensuring food security, benefiting both farming and non-farming households alike. Households that engage in gardening are not just growing crops; they are fostering diverse ecosystems by cultivating multiple plant species and raising animals. However, the key household characteristics that drive this diversity remain underexplored in existing research. This study takes a deep dive into the factors influencing gardening diversity, shedding light on the socio-demographic elements that shape household decisions on food production. By analysing data from 698 home garden households through a self-administered questionnaire, we employed inferential statistical models, including Ordered Probit and Negative Binomial Regression, to unravel the drivers of crop and animal diversity in home gardening. The findings indicate a majority of households fall into the medium (52.4%) and high (41.1%) categories of crop diversity. Key determinants of crop diversity include household location, size, garden land availability, production season, and the participation of family labour. Meanwhile, factors such as home-ownership and gardening experience play a crucial role in the decision to rear animals. These insights carry significant implications. To integrate both crop cultivation and animal rearing successfully, households must possess specific characteristics beyond simply growing food crops. The research underscores that while all gardening households engage in crop production, not all extend their efforts to animal husbandry. Crucially, socio-economic conditions shape household decisions on what and how to produce. By understanding and addressing these conditions, policymakers, agricultural experts, and communities can enhance home gardening diversity, particularly in the Global South boosting both nutrition and resilience against food insecurity. Investing in home gardening isn’t just about growing food; it’s about cultivating a more sustainable, diverse, and food-secure future.