Shortage of seeds (adjusted odds ratio = 0.65: CI = 0.46–0.93, p-value 0.018) and either manure or fertilizers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62: CI = 1.04–2.46, p-value 0.031) were significant factors influencing the sustainability of homesteads vegetable production. About 20.24% (50/247) of households sustained homestead vegetable production for one year after the intervention phased out. Multiple logistic regression for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data was conducted.

The study held four focus group discussions with women from households that participated in the intervention, and four In-Depth interviews with two extension workers, one community health worker, and one agriculture district officer. A total of 247 randomly selected women from households who participated in the homestead vegetable intervention were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. This was a community based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This study assessed factors influencing the sustainability of homestead vegetable production intervention in Rufiji district, Tanzania, one year after the cessation of external support. Sustainability of many of these community interventions remain a challenge. There is growing evidence that home vegetable gardening interventions improve food security and nutrition outcomes at the family level.

Nvivo coding software