Contribution Of Social Capital In Agricultural Production System : The Case Of Selected Rural Smallholder Farming Households In Liban Jawi District, West Shoa Zone Of Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study focused on the contribution of social capital in the Agricultural production system in the case of selected rural smallholder farming households in Liben Jawi District, Ethiopia. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the type and nature of existing social capital in the Agricultural production system by smallholder farming households in the study are; to analyze the local farmers’ perceived contribution of social capital in the agricultural production system in the study area; to investigate challenges of Agricultural production system by smallholder farming households in the study area and to examine the opportunity of Agricultural production system by smallholder farming households in the study area. About 128 household heads were selected using a simple random sampling technique from two Kebele which were chosen randomly. Data collection tools included a questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were employed to analyze the data to be collected. The result to types and nature of social capital in the agricultural production system identified were social bonding, social bridges, and social linkages in the study area. Social capital has played a great role in natural resource management, crop production, and livestock production in the study area. Then, the major challenges in the Inefficiency of the production system, the absence of good political will for small holding farmer households, Lack of trust, reciprocity, honesty and information sharing, and unfavorable environmental condition (topography) were considered as the challenges that have been faced in an agricultural production system. The major opportunities for agricultural production were the availability of multi-diversified income-generating activities, the existence of self-determination of farmers for agricultural production, the existence of farmer cooperatives, and favorable natural conditions. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it has been recommended that the smallholder farmer households should have to foster the relationships between them sustainably to produce agricultural products; DAs and woreda’ affairs office experts have to give training on the role of social capital in agricultural through how updated information as well as raising awareness of farmers and social norms, honesty and information sharing existed with them. For agricultural production to be realized, strengthening the relationship of different formal and informal institutions (Idir debo) and the modern agricultural production system (farmer agriculture clustering) should be focused on and met the social capital elements (bonding, bridging, and linkages) link and integrate research, extension, and education effectively for efficient promotion production. GO should have to work on the major man-made challenges by delivering updated technologies or mechanization tools to curb in Inefficiency of the production system. NGO has to provide financial aid, conventional planning, effective monitoring, and evaluation to enhance the contribution of social capital in the agricultural production system. Planners and policymakers should formulate appropriate policies and programs considering social capital in the agricultural production system.