Abstract:
The dry zone home gardens have not been examined fully for their economic potentials. Therefore, the primary objective was to determine the economic value of dry zone home gardens using both market and non-market valuation and care economic values. The sample was selected non-randomly for well managed home gardens (n=37) and randomly for non-well managed home gardens (n=37). A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. The market prices and wood densities were obtained through the secondary data and assess the carbon stock by measuring the Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). Results revealed, the net average market value for a well-managed dry zone home garden is 82,779 LKR per hectare per month and, 51,070 LKR per hectare
per month, for a non-well-managed garden. Above ground biomass was 74.4 Mg ha-1 and 76.4 Mg ha-1 for well-managed and non-well managed gardens respectively. Below-ground values are 35 Mg ha-1 and 36 Mg ha-1. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in biomass between the two garden types. Men’s monthly contributions to well-managed and non-well-managed gardens are 413,116 LKR per hectare per month and 384,804 LKR per hectare per month, respectively. Women’s contributions are 364,538 LKR per hectare per month and 447,903 LKR per hectare per month, with care roles valued at 100,434 LKR per hectare per month and 226,372 LKR per hectare per month. In conclusion, research reveals the economic importance of dry zone home gardens,
considering market factors, environmental benefits, and gender roles.