A decade of persistence and change: how homegardens cope with urbanization process in Hue city?

Bc. Adéla Čermáková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Urban agriculture can have many types, varying from green parks with useful plants to backyard gardening with poultry and livestock farming. This Master's thesis focuses on traditional homegardens in Hue City, central Vietnam. It aims to investigate the sustainability and dynamics of this land use under current socioeconomic and climate dynamics. Data were collected through direct observation, interviews, and semi-structured questionnaires with 64 garden owners. 86 species belonging to 44 botanical families were identified, with 2 to 19 species per homegarden. The most frequently observed plant species were Musa spp. (70%), followed by Ipomoea batatas, Citrus grandis, Bouea macrophylla, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Areca catechu, and Ananas comosus. Most species were of multipurpose use, while the major use categories reported were food (97%) and medicine (13%). The most abundant cash crops were fruits (areca, pomelo, Marian plum, jackfruit, banana, guava and pineapple). Agrobiodiversity was quantified using the Shannon-Wiener (1.25), Simpson (0.60), and Margalef indices (1.12). The association between agrobiodiversity and market orientation of homegardens was documented, but no statistical significance was found. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the existence of three types of homegarden, i.e. (1) homegardens rich in biodiversity, (2) traditional homegardens, and (3) commercial homegardens. The highest species richness and diversity were found in semi-extensive, peri-urban, least commercial gardens managed by elderly gardeners. Respondent runs gardens to ensure fresh and healthy food, continuity of family traditions and reduced food expenses. Interviewed households did not perceive any pressure related to urbanisation development but were more sensitive to problems with climate dynamics and market chain imperfections. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was found that it primarily affected the economic situation of surveyed homegardeners. Our research findings highlight the need for promoting homegardens in Vietnam as a traditional land use system for sustainable development. Policies should consider the impact of urbanisation pressure and focus on the multi-functionality of homegardens beyond just commercialisation for income generation.

Keywords

agrobiodiversity, cluster analysis, commercialisation, ethnobotany, perceptions, sustainability

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 30. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Ing. Vladimír Verner, Ph.D.
• Reader: Martina Vlková, Ing., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Tropical Crop Management and Ecology