A process evaluation of a home garden intervention
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agriculture & Food Security
Abstract
Background Most reviews of nutrition-sensitive programs assess the evidence base for nutrition outcomes with
out considering how programs were delivered. Process evaluations can fill this void by exploring how or why
impacts were or were not achieved. This mid-term process evaluation examines a home garden intervention
implemented in a large-scale, livelihoods improvement program in Odisha, India. The objectives are to understand
whether the intervention was operating as planned (fidelity), investigate potential pathways to achieve greater
impact, and provide insights to help design future home garden programs.
Methodology Data collection and analysis for this theory-driven process evaluation are based on a program impact
pathway that shows the fow of inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Quantitative and qualitative data
from focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and a Process Net-Mapping exercise with benefciaries
frontline workers, and program management staff.
Results Despite a mismatch between the design and implementation (low fidelity), the process evaluation identified
positive outputs, outcomes, and impacts on home garden production, consumption, income, health and nutritional
outcomes, and women’s empowerment. Flexibility led to greater positive outcomes on nutrition, the adoption of sus‑
tainable agricultural practices and easy-to-understand nutrition models, and the likelihood of the intervention being
sustained after the program ends.
Conclusions To help food systems in rural settings reduce food insecurity by utilizing more sustainable agricultural
practices, we recommend that home garden interventions include instruction on easy-to-understand nutrition
models and on how to make natural fertilizer. Finding local solutions like home gardens to help address critical supply
issues and food insecurity is paramount
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Process evaluation, Home garden, Food security, Sustainable agriculture