Learning the value of gardening: results from an experience of community based simplified hydroponics in north-east Brazil.

In the suburbs of main cities the introduction of gardening activities may be a sustainable tool to reduce poverty and improve food security. However, due to limited access to fertile land horticultural production is constrained. The introduction of low cost hydroponic gardens may be a sustainable way to launch horticultural production on roofs, terraces and courtyards. The present work will examine the results of a survey among beneficiaries of a food security project in north-east Brazil after four years of activity. The project involves 10 clubs of mothers (“clubes de maes”) where women were trained on hydroponics and plant nutrition, technical management of simplified hydroponics systems, basic economical aspects of vegetables production, human nutrition, associative work. Those topics were also the aspects assessed by the survey. Results showed that the technical and practical aspects are the easiest to be adapted by the groups, whilst economical aspects and knowledge about human nutrition got lower scores. Moreover, there were differences between “old” clubs (communities that were involved in the past in aid programs or development projects) and “new” ones (groups formed by the project because of a strong interest in the hydroponic growing system). The latter obtained better results although receiving less training than the old clubs. Differences in scores are wide in particular as regards business and administration matters.