Homestead gardening: A gender-responsive solution for a resilient and food-secure Bangladesh

By Mou Rani Sarker, Bushra Humaira, Sharif Ahmed, and Humnath Bhandari

In Bangladesh, food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread, affecting more than 60 million people across the country. Despite national efforts to improve food access, about 35% of the population still doesn't get enough to eat.

Women and children carry the greatest burden. Among women aged 15-49, nearly half are malnourished, some underweight, and others obese, which highlights the complex nature of nutritional challenges. Meanwhile, two out of three children under five suffer from food poverty, often surviving on just one or two food groups each day.

These numbers show us a daily struggle for many families, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions where food production is fragile and less productive, markets are unreliable, and household resources are stretched thin. Food production systems strongly affect food security, nutrition, and public health.

Climate and gender inequality shape nutrition risks

The coastal and Barind regions of Bangladesh are among the most climate-affected zones in the country. In the coastal belt, communities face salinity intrusion, tidal flooding, cyclones, and long-term waterlogging. These recurring hazards damage crops, reduce soil health, and restrict access to safe water. In the Barind tract, farmers face prolonged dry spells, erratic rainfall, and declining groundwater which are conditions that make year-round agriculture increasingly difficult.

These climate risks disproportionately affect women. Limited access to land, water, finance, and extension services means women, who are typically responsible for feeding their families, have fewer options during food shortages. Their role as primary caregivers often goes unrecognized in agriculture planning, even though they are the first line when it comes to family nutrition.

Integrated homestead garden can help build women farmers' climate and livelihood resilience.