Contribución de los huertos familiares en la seguridad alimentaria y en la economía de los hogares: Caso de estudio en el sector Vista Hermosa, cantón Quito, 2024

Abstract

Abstract: In semi-urban communities such as Vista Hermosa, home gardens are an essential strategy for enhancing food security and the family economy. In addition to supplementing household income, home gardens improve dietary quality and promote food self-sufficiency, which are essential in an environment of increasing economic pressure. The objective of this study was to determine how home gardens contribute to food security and household economy. By means of a mixed approach, using the non-probabilistic random convenience sampling method, 70 surveys were applied to the heads of households of families in the sector, investigating the particularities of 35 households with gardens and 35 without gardens, thus collecting demographic data and variables linked to food security and the economy. The analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and a logistic econometric model to identify the most influential factors in garden ownership. The findings of this study indicate that home gardens in the sector have a positive effect on the economy and household food security, allowing families to meet their food needs, reduce their expenses and diversify their diet. In addition, the results revealed that older adults have a greater tendency to have a home garden, probably due to their customs and attachment to ancestral agricultural practices that characterize us as a producing country. It was also noted that women play a key role in the management of home gardens, reflecting their leading role in the management of household dynamics and family food security. Considering the above, home gardens are not only a valuable source of fresh food, but have become a component that contributes to household food and economic resilience. This highlights the need to adopt policies that encourage agricultural practices to maximize their socioeconomic impact.