Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about social distancing, self-isolation, and movement control orders, leading to an increased demand for food and disruptions in the supply chain. Consequently, home gardening gained popularity as a productive and environmentally friendly activity, inspiring Penang residents to grow their greens. The state government and organisations like Think City and the Consumers' Association of Penang recognised the importance of urban gardening initiatives. This research investigates the impact of home gardening on society, highlighting its potential as an approach to a socialist society and its alignment with sustainable development goals, including zero hunger and climate action. Home gardening promotes self-sufficiency, food security, and sustainable practices, especially in urban areas, contributing to food system resilience. It fosters community involvement, and cohesiveness, enhancing well-being and happiness among gardeners. The study underscores the importance of promoting home gardening to achieve a more resilient and sustainable future for Penang.
TopIntroduction
Amid the 2019 pandemic, societies grappled with unprecedented challenges, social distancing, isolation, and mobility restrictions in the fight against COVID-19. These measures, while crucial, strained food supply chains, exacerbating unemployment and triggering heightened food demand (Wilkins, 2020). Amid the prolonged homebound phase, a compelling home gardening trend emerged worldwide, notably in Malaysia. Home gardening gained prominence as solace and sustenance (The Borneo Post, 2021; Walljasper & Polansek, 2020). This phenomenon, spanning urban and rural landscapes, symbolized the potency of urban agriculture (El Khateeb, Saber & Shawket, 2023). At its core, home gardening transformed unused living spaces into vibrant sources of sustenance (Nova, Pinto, Chaves & Silva, 2020). It took root in residential confines, whether indoors or outdoors, adapting to diverse scales and settings (Zasada, Weltin, Zoll & Benninger, 2020). Amid leisure pursuits and experimentation, home gardening surfaced as an ecologically conscious endeavour, uniting living spaces with nature (Nova et al., 2020).
The pandemic sparked a surge in demand for plants, soil, manure and seeds, with home gardening transcending borders, fostering gardening tool sales in nations like Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Switzerland, and Turkey (The Star, 2020 ; UNCTAD, 2020). This trend, uninhibited by gender, offered respite and a source of joy, serenity, and communal cohesion (El Khateeb et al., 2023; Ambrose, Das, Fan & Ramaswami, 2023). The ripple effects of home gardening transcended individual gratification, spurring societal transformation (Galhena, Freed & Maredia, 2013). In Penang, Malaysia, the upswing in urban gardening courses mirrored governmental initiatives, such as Think City’s autonomous urban farm, fostering resilience, nutrition education and employment (The Citymaker, 2020). Consumer Association of Penang also played a role, guiding Penangites in converting urban agriculture into income streams, underscoring the social potency of the movement (McIntyre, 2021).
As a lens into a socialist society, home gardening reveals diverse virtues. Self-sufficiency and food security are central to its ethos, particularly poignant during the pandemic’s peak (Turnšek et al., 2022). However, its impact stretches beyond tangible yields, embodying sustainable narratives like composting and organic waste management in sync with broader environmental stewardship (Phooi et al., 2022). Moreover, high-rises embrace vertical farming, a testament to the resilience of urban food systems (Song et al., 2022). Simultaneously, home gardening stands as an emblem of community engagement and unity. However, barriers persist, including limited resources and misconceptions, warranting targeted interventions (Kanasvamhira, 2023). Beyond personal realms, home gardening extends into schools, nurturing healthy eating habits and fostering community involvement (Orighoye, Apekey & Maynard, 2023).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Climate Change: Climate change refers to the long-term alterations in Earth’s climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and weather events. These changes are primarily caused by human activities, such as releasing greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The consequences of climate change are extensive and include global warming, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions.
Socialist Society: A socialist society is characterized by the collective ownership of resources and the means of production to reduce economic inequalities, improve social welfare, and achieve equitable distribution of wealth and assets among its constituents.
Grassroots Agriculture: Grassroots agriculture involves local communities or individuals actively participating in small-scale farming practices. This community-driven approach often centers on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Food Security: Food security refers to the condition where people have constant access to sufficient and safe food resources to support their living conditions.
Home Gardening: Home gardening refers to cultivating a diverse range of plants, encompassing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and ornamental plants, within the confines of residential areas. This activity serves multiple objectives, including food production, aesthetic appreciation, and promoting sustainable lifestyles.