ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The following people who contributed to the successful completion of this project are
given our sincere gratitude and respect:

 The Almighty God : For the wisdom instilled and guidance through out the
project.
 Mr and Mrs Soqo ( parents) : For their support and creating a favourable
studyng environment with all the resources.
 Mrs Avia Rosie ( English teacher ) : For giving the information , direction and
steps that must be taken in order to finish this project.
 Fellow colleagues : For assisting by providing advise and spiritual support as well
as knowledge exchange.
 Questionnaire respondents : For devoting their time to read and answering the
questionnaire.
 Methodology

The project was effectively finished by following the right procedures in order to collect
the most research data.

Primary Research

In order to represent the opinion of the participants, the research comprised

distributing questionnaires to the residents of Suvavou Village. The questionnaire was
then collected and examined.

Secondary Research

The project involved gathering data from websites discovered by eminent professors
and doing scientific investigation .
 DECLARATION
I , Salanieta Waqalutu, a student at Dudley High School in the year 1302 hereby
solemnly declare that this work is entirely original and that all sources of information
used in it have been properly acknowledged.

………………………………… ……………………..

Signature. Date.
 TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENT PAGE NUMMBER

Title & Theme Page I.

Thesis Statement II.

Acknowledgement III.

Methodology IV.

Declaration V.

Table of Content VI.

Introduction VII.

Literature Review VIII.

1.0 Signficance of Backyard Garderning IX.

 INTRODUCTION
The research was carefully chosen from a theme offered by the authorities from
Ministry of Education. This was made easier by the subject teachers detailed
presentation of the concept in order to construct a topic. As much a possible, the topic
should be localized. The theme was chosen because it was a personal interest, with the
rising Healthy Eating Habits And Lifestyle with the sub- topic The Importance Of
Backyard Gardening in Suvavou Village.

The covid-19 outbreak has sparked a rise in interest in backyard gardening. During that
terrible period ( year 2021) gardening is one of the most effective ways for people to be
physically fit while also providing a pleasant break from the rigors of the crisis.
Backyard gardening has long being regarded as a peaceful recreational positive with
numerous personal benefits. When many teachers are working and student are learning
at school this year (2022), backyard gardening can be positive school inclusive activity
to undertake. Backyard gardening can assist us in meeting our own needs such as
vegetables and fruits.

Therefore, this project will help the people in Suvavou in ways to improve and know the
significance of backyard gardening. It also tends to find ways by which people of
Suvavou can explore the need of backyard gardening and also investigate the type of
processed food. Gardening is a very physical activity. In-cooperating, an hour or so
gardening can do wonders to our health. This project also aim to find the challenges
faced by the people of Suvavou to overcome the buying of processed food.

This result will take place at Suvavou Village. Suvavou Village is a village located in Fiji
a little north- west in Suva. Situated nearly to Lami, with a total population of 200. It
also comprises of people from some ethnic group (I- Taukei).

Several difficulties were encountered during the research procedures, ranging from
topic formulating to questionnaire design, because all the document are to be printed
by family, financial constraints become a typical occurrence, the more complicated the
data was, the more difficult it was to interpret it. This stumbling block was overcome
thanks to the subject teachers and crucial council.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINDS
1.0 SINGNIFICSANCE OF BACKYARD GARDENING

1.01 REDUCE STRESS

Gardening can make one feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on
the immediate task and details for gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feeling
and make you feel better in the moment. (Dan Brenan, October 25, 2021)

1.02 SAVES MONEY

Saves big money by growing your own vegetables and fruits. In fact, depending on the
type and amount you grow, you can save a significant amount of money. By spending a
flower dollar on seeds, plants and supplies, you will be able to produce more
vegetables.

Soil is an important exposure pathway, primarily through ingestion and inhalation.

Urban agriculture is increasing. Potential environmental health risk associated gardening
may not be well known community residents. Advocancy for resources needed to
eliminate dangerous level of lead from the environment, especially in communities
where divest has occurred, is enhanced. Increasing access to soil testing is an
important action step.

(Source: Sheri Johnson, Dalila Cardona, Jeremy Davis Cpt 2016)

The graph above shows 5 males and 9 females have agreed that backyard gardening is
important in Suvavou Village. They also state that the major factor of backyard
gardening is to save money to the increase in the price of goods and low labor cost
which cannot meet the demand of a household. Also, due to the pandemic crisis there
has been an increase on unemployment. People are relying on backyard gardening to
cater for their daily lives. Some people do backyard gardening to distress.

( Source: Questionnaires; Question #1,2022)

FIGURE 1.3

HEALTHY FOOD IN A GARDEN.

25%

VEGETABLE AND CROPS

FRUITS
FLOWERS
50% ALL OF THE ABOVE
5%

20%

( Source :Questionnaires; Question #2, 2022)

The graph above shows that the Suvavou residents agreed to plant crops and
vegetables in their backyard. With the rise on unemployment rate people are
encouraged to plant fruits, vegetables, crops and flowers in order to meet their daily
lives. Almost tha quarter of the population believe that planting vegetables is much
feasible since it only take 3 to 4 weeks, thus, crops take 10 to 12 weeks. The other
quarter believe that growing fruits is paramount since most of the population consumes
it. In addition, the graph also depict that the people are also commercializing flowers to
earn monetary benefits.
Figure 1.4

How Often Do They DO Backyard Gardening

7%

Everyday

Once a week
36%
57% Once a month

(Source: Questionnaires; Question #3; 2022)

The above graph shows that more than half of the population of Suvavou do their
gardening daily apart from those that do theirs once a week and once a month. This
graph clearly states that the people of Suvavou are developing an interest in gardening.
It can be an advantage to such a way as a daily produces, source of income and
physical activity. The above graph is relying to us that the people of Suvavou can be
free fro poverty as a gardening will be a major source of income.
1.5 Challenges Faced By The Gardeners

Challenges faced by the community or resident of Suvavou Village gardeners were also
raised. Insecure tenure is a key concern for gardeners from decision makers, and the
lack of resources ( financial and otherwise) available to the community gardeners were
also problematic. Given the long waiting list for garden plots, assists these project to
start and grow could have utility beyond current users.

Figure 1.5

Challenges faced By The Gardeners

14%

Changing of weather pattern

36%
Not enough Space

22%
Lack of funds

Pesticides

29%

(Source: Questionnairs; Question #8;2022)

The graph above shows 36% of the participants stated that the challenges faced by the
gardeners is changing of the weather pattern, 29% stated that there is not enough
space to garden due to house congested. However, 22% of the respondent argued on
lack of funds, while 14% on pesticides.