ABSTRACT

 This study was on the Evaluation of home garden practices in Obowo Local Government Area ofImo State. The socioeconomic characteristics ofthe respondents were described, the cost and returns associated with home gardening evaluated, the economic performance of the home gardener was examine, the relationship between home garden output and input use in the study area was evaluated, the sources of knowledge of home garden management in the study area was examine, the problems encountered by the home gardeners in the study area was also examined. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted in selecting forty (40) home gardeners from eight communities in Obowo. Data analyses were carried out with the use ofsuch statistical tools like frequency, mean, percentages and multiple regression models. The results indicate that majority (50%) of the home gardener was between 15-34 years indication they were adult. In term of sex there were more female than male. Majority (57.5%) of the gardeners were married, which indicate more stable household. Majority (92.5%) of the gardener have formal education. Majority (37.5%) of farmers had between 6-5 years farming experiences. Majority (50%) of the gardeners had household size between 6 and 10 person per household. In analyzing the constraint faced by the home-gardeners an overwhelming majority (95%) of the respondent complains that there is a high incidence of pest and disease infection affecting their gardens. Greater percentage (65%) of the farmers had contact with extension agents. Results showed that the business was profitable as indicated by a net return >131023.59. The Exponential functional form gave the best line of fit. R2 value was 88% and statistically significant at 1% level. Garden size, cost of planting material, agrochemicals, and fertilizer used were significant variable that influence the output of the home-gardeners. The major constraints militating against the home-gardeners among other were high incidence ofpest and disease and theft. Formal education and policies that would enhance the supply of improve seed through government and non-government agencies agency were recommended.