JBS Vol 04. Num 2. 2002 - HOMESTEAD GARDENING IN BANGLADESH: ENHANCING THE NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE RURAL POPULATION

In Bangladesh about 75% of the households have a homestead garden; yet a majority of them depend on the market
for their vegetables. The size of the home gardens in Bangladesh is similar, ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 decimals and
the varieties of vegetables grown in the gardens range from 1.4 in Teknaf to 3 in Dumuria. The average monthly
vegetable production per household ranges from 0.3 kg in Madaripur Sadar to 8.6 kg in Sripur. The per capita
vegetable consumption by household members ranges from 69 gm/day in Madaripur Sadar to 112 gm/day in
Dumuria. A majority of the farmers use their own stock as a source of seeds and seedlings for gardening. The
cultivated vegetables in a home garden can give an economic return of Tk. 1776 per year, where the input cost is
only Tk. 470. It also gives a yearly return of 611.3 kcal, 4133.8 mg vitamin “A” and 323.2 mg of vitamin “C” along
with other nutrients in considerable amounts.