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Larger Yards Boost Food Production and Income for Farming Households, Study Finds
A 2026 study by Alfred Alfonso Antoh of Cenderawasih University finds that yard size plays a critical role in determining the productivity of farming households, particularly in supporting local food production and economic resilience. Published in Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), the research highlights how small-scale land around homes—often overlooked—can significantly influence food security, household income, and sustainable agriculture.
The findings are especially relevant as countries like Indonesia face growing pressure to strengthen food security amid rising demand, climate uncertainty, and limited agricultural land. By focusing on home gardens, the study underscores the importance of household-level farming systems in meeting local food needs.
Home Gardens: Small Spaces, Big Impact
Home gardens—small plots of land surrounding households—are increasingly recognized as vital components of sustainable agriculture. These spaces combine food crops, fruit trees, and sometimes livestock into integrated systems that support daily consumption and income.
In rural and developing regions, home gardens provide:
- Direct access to fresh and nutritious food
- Reduced dependence on market purchases
- Protection against food price volatility
- Additional income through surplus production
In Indonesia, yards also carry cultural and social significance, functioning not only as production areas but as part of traditional household life. However, modernization and land-use changes are reducing yard sizes, raising concerns about declining household food production capacity.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research uses a conceptual and analytical approach grounded in agroecology and agricultural economics. It examines how yard size influences farming household productivity by reviewing key production factors and integrating insights from previous empirical studies.
Rather than focusing on a single dataset, the study synthesizes:
- Agroecological theory on land use and productivity
- Household economic models
- Evidence from global and regional research on home gardens
This approach allows the study to explain how physical land size interacts with labor, knowledge, and environmental conditions to shape productivity outcomes.
Key Findings: Why Yard Size Matters
The study identifies yard size as a central production factor, but its impact depends on how effectively households manage their land.
1. Larger Yards Increase Production Capacity
- Bigger yard areas allow households to grow more crops and diversify production
- Increased space supports higher total output and more stable food supply
- Larger plots enable integration of crops, trees, and livestock systems
2. Diversification Improves Food Security
- Households with larger yards cultivate a wider range of crops
- Diverse planting reduces risk of crop failure and income fluctuations
- Continuous harvest cycles ensure year-round food availability
3. Productivity Is Not Just About Size
- Larger land does not automatically guarantee higher productivity per unit
- Without sufficient labor, knowledge, or inputs, large yards can be underutilized
- Smaller yards can outperform larger ones if managed intensively
4. Yard Systems Support Sustainable Agriculture
- Multi-layered planting systems improve soil fertility and resource efficiency
- Natural pest control reduces reliance on chemical inputs
- Organic waste recycling enhances sustainability
5. Household Factors Strongly Influence Outcomes
Key determinants of yard productivity include:
- Labor availability and time allocation
- Farming knowledge and technical skills
- Access to seeds, water, and fertilizers
- Socioeconomic conditions and education levels
- Gender roles, especially women’s involvement in garden management
Implications for Food Security and Rural Development
The study highlights the strategic importance of home gardens in addressing global and local food challenges.
For Policymakers
- Supporting yard-based agriculture can strengthen national food security
- Programs promoting home gardening can reduce dependence on food imports
- Training and extension services can maximize productivity from limited land
For Farming Households
- Optimizing yard use can reduce food expenses and increase income
- Diversification strategies improve resilience to climate and market shocks
- Even small plots can deliver significant benefits when managed intensively
For Sustainable Development
- Home gardens contribute to biodiversity conservation and environmental health
- They serve as low-cost, scalable solutions for improving nutrition
- They empower women and enhance household decision-making roles
Author Insight
Alfred Alfonso Antoh of Cenderawasih University emphasizes that yard size is only one part of a broader system:
Yard productivity is shaped not only by land area but by a combination of biophysical, socioeconomic, and management factors that determine how effectively households use their resources.
This perspective reinforces the idea that improving productivity requires both land access and capacity building.
Author Profile
- Alfred Alfonso Antoh – Researcher in agroecology and agricultural economics, Cenderawasih University. His work focuses on household farming systems, food security, and sustainable land use in developing regions.
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