“Effect of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Kitchen Gardening among Housewives in Selected Rural Area”

Abstract

Background of study: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge of rural housewives regarding kitchen gardening before and after a structured teaching programme, and to determine its association with selected demographic variables. Kitchen gardening is a simple, sustainable practice that supports nutrition and food security in rural households. However, many women lack proper guidance and awareness to implement it effectively. A structured teaching programme can help strengthen their understanding and promote better adoption of kitchen gardening practices.

The Punjab government launched a kitchen gardening initiative in 2010–2011 to reduce food costs and improve community health by distributing affordable seed kits and educational materials. Over three years, about 400,000 seed kits containing commonly used vegetables were provided to households. This programme aimed to promote self-sufficiency and healthier dietary practices among the public.

Methodology: For this study, a pre-experimental design was adopted, and 100 Housewives of selected rural area were chosen using a Non probability purposive sample strategy. The knowledge was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result: The study revealed that prior to the structured teaching programme, the majority of rural housewives (61%) had average knowledge regarding kitchen gardening, while 25% had poor knowledge, and only 14% demonstrated good knowledge. Following the intervention, post-test results indicated a marked improvement, with 57% of participants achieving good knowledge and 43% demonstrating average knowledge; none remained in the poor knowledge category.

Conclusion: The study showed that the structured teaching programme significantly improved the knowledge of housewives regarding kitchen gardening. While most participants had only average knowledge before the intervention, the majority achieved good scores afterward, with the paired t-test (t = 13.13, p = 0.000) confirming a highly significant difference. These findings highlight the effectiveness of educational programmes in promoting sustainable practices and improving household nutrition in rural communities.