Contribution of Home Gardens to Food Availability for Food Security

Objective: To analyze the importance and contribution of home gardens to food security and food availability, in relation to biodiversity, in communities belonging to the municipalities of Mazatán and Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was applied to 52 families, incorporating social and ethnobotanical aspects. The questionnaire was administered through semi-structured interviews and field visits in the communities. Results: Households consisted of 4.2 to 5.6 members, and the female head of household (56.68%) was prominently involved in home garden management. The floral diversity of the 52 home gardens included up to 107 species, most notably the Fabaceae (10 species) and Solanaceae (9 species) families. These gardens also housed 15 species of wild and domestic fauna. The primary use of both plants and animals recorded was food; The main food groups found in home gardens were fruits, low-energy foods, and vegetables. Study Limitations/Implications: This study was limited by the availability of rural families to complete surveys and access their home gardens. Findings/Conclusions: Family home gardens harbor rich plant and animal diversity, providing both plant and animal food groups, as well as domestic and wild fauna, with women being the primary caregivers.