FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL CONTRIBUTION FROM ROOFTOP GARDENING: A STUDY BASED ON DHAKA CITY

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the extent of factors from rooftop gardening that affecting nutritional contribution to the gardeners and determine the contribution of selected characteristics of their livelihood to the improvement of nutritional status. The study employed a quantitative approach, and data were collected through a survey of 102 rooftop gardeners by using a structured questionnaire in Dhaka city, whereas the population of the thesis was 1938. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed that rooftop gardening has a medium to high effect (81.37%) on the nutritional status of gardeners, and the area used for gardening has the highest (45.70%) contribution to this effect. Moreover, gardeners' level of education, rooftop garden size, training exposure, perceived value of rooftop gardening, and knowledge on rooftop gardening also have significant contributions. The findings reveal that the majority of rooftop gardeners are middle-aged (49.01%), have education above the secondary level (88.24%), have a medium-sized family (58.82%), had a medium-sized gardening area (69.60%). Most gardeners (55.88%) had moderate training exposure and perceived rooftop gardening to have medium value (52.94%). The majority (72.55%) had medium knowledge of rooftop gardening. Based on the findings, this study recommends that urban policymakers and planners should promote and support rooftop gardening as a sustainable urban agriculture practice. Also, there is a need for more training and extension services to improve the knowledge and skills of gardeners. Finally, the study recommends that future research should focus on the economic and environmental benefits of rooftop gardening and its contribution to the resilience of urban food systems.