School garden programs supporting sustainable agricultural intensification through knowledge transfer and family engagement
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Abstract
Background and Objective: This study explores the role of a school garden program in facilitating the transfer of information on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) from students to their families. The study investigates three key objectives: (1) assessing whether students shared SAI-related knowledge with their families and explore how parental demographic were related to receiving knowledge from their child, (2) exploring the types of SAI technologies parents reported hearing from their child and the benefits they expected after receiving that knowledge, and (3) analyzing the factors that influence parent’s willingness to apply SAI at home.
Methodology: This research was conducted in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, and involved 120 families. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews in June 2024. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression models.
Main Results: The results show that 70% of parents received SAI-related information from their child. Parents’ gender (χ2 = 9.30, P= 0.002), occupation (χ2 = 5.09, P = 0.024), and farming experiences (t = 2.72, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with their child sharing knowledge with them. Among the families who received information, most parents recognized specific SAI techniques and perceived benefits such as increased crop yield, reduced chemical use, and improved environmental outcomes. Logistic regression analysis in the full model shows that parent’s occupation (β = 6.584, P < 0.001), perceived benefits of SAI (β = 3.969, P < 0.001), and social influence from peers and community (β = 1.888, P < 0.05) were significant predictors of parent’s willingness to apply SAI practices at home.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of school garden programs to promote SAI through the school context by training students, increasing their knowledge, and empowering them to act as a knowledge bridge to their families. This study also shows the importance of reinforcing the perceived benefits of SAI and leveraging social networks to enhance adoption at the household level.
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