Diversity, Seasonal Availability and Utilization of Fruits and Vegetables from Homestead Gardens of Rural Jorhat, Assam, India
Priyanka Nath *
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, India.
Mandeep Digra
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, India.
Mridula Saikia Barooah
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Homestead gardens are important household food-production systems that contribute to crop diversity, seasonal food availability and the utilisation of locally adapted plant resources. The present study was conducted to evaluate the diversity, production and utilisation patterns of crops cultivated in homestead gardens in rural Jorhat, Assam. The study involved 200 rural households from four villages in the Dekorgarah and Chipahikhola blocks of Jorhat district, Assam. One woman from each household participated in the investigation. Data were collected on fruit trees, green leafy vegetables (naturally occurring and cultivated), other vegetables, roots and tubers, and their utilisation and preservation during the kharif and rabi seasons. Considerable variation was observed in the food plants recorded across the selected homestead gardens. Coconut (72.50%) was the most frequently reported fruit tree, followed by banana (45.50%) and mango (41.50%). During kharif, 12 naturally occurring green leafy vegetables were reported; Asiatic pennywort was the most common (38.50%), followed by fish mint (33.50%). Seasonal variation was observed in cultivated vegetables: green amaranth (33.50%) and white gourd (41.50%) were more common during the kharif season, whereas spinach (20.50%) and radish (43.00%) were prominent during the rabi season. Banana flower (83.50%), Assam lemon (63.50%) and papaya (46.50%) were the commonly reported perennial food plants. Seasonal produce was also used for preservation, with mango (28.50%) being the most commonly preserved kharif produce, while ghost chilli (36.50%) and amla (33.50%) were prominent during the rabi season. The results showed that homestead gardens provide a variety of foods across seasons and are linked to food availability, food diversification, the preservation of seasonal produce and the conservation of locally significant plants. Improved year-round garden management and the encouragement of locally suited crops could further support sustainable homestead garden food systems in rural Assam.
Keywords: Homestead gardens, dietary diversity, green leafy vegetables, indigenous vegetables, rural households