Economic Analysis of Household Gardening in India: Regional Perspectives

Abstract

Household gardening has emerged as a vital component of sustainable living, offering both economic and nutritional benefits across the globe. In India, the practice of cultivating vegetables, fruits, herbs, and ornamental plants within household spaces reflects a blend of tradition and modern sustainability concerns. This study provides an economic analysis of household gardening in India with a state-wise perspective, highlighting its role in reducing household expenditure, enhancing food security, and generating supplementary income. At the national level, home gardens contribute to the growing demand for organic produce and support government initiatives promoting urban horticulture. Regionally, diverse climatic conditions, cultural practices, and policy interventions shape unique gardening patterns: Kerala’s community-driven kitchen gardens, Tamil Nadu’s rooftop initiatives, Maharashtra’s urban balcony gardens, West Bengal’s integration of medicinal and spice plants, and the biodiversity-rich practices of the Northeastern states. By examining these variations, the paper underscores the economic significance of household gardening as a decentralized model of food production and a contributor to sustainable development in India.