Household gardens : theoretical considerations on an old survival strategy

This report discusses the historical significance and function of home gardens (especially potato growing in Europe), offers a definition, and develops a policy-relevant typology based on ecological and socioeconomic determinants. A cross-cultural review of the literature on household gardens in Asia, the South Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, and South and North America is presented. A concluding section notes that, despite the increasing attention given by agricultural research organizations to small-scale farmers, home gardens continue to be neglected as an important subsistence strategy. A 61-item bibliography (1931-84) is appended. (Author abstract, modified)