Abstract

Apasiri Lampoon, Supakorn Nitibhon and Chartchai Kraibutr

The performance of agricultural extension program varies among communities and households. The performance of such program is traditionally analyzed looking at human, physical, financial and natural capital related factors. This study aimed at knowing the relationship between social capital and the performance of vegetable production program (VPP) in selected sites in the far western region of Nepal. Social capital at household and site level was measured in its six dimensions expressed as networks, trust, collective action and cooperation, social norms, reciprocity, and proactivity. The result of simple linear regression (OLS) model showed in general that the adoption index of vegetable farming at household level is found positively correlated with social capital index. However, some expressions of social capital, like interpersonal trust and bonding network, negatively affect the adoption of vegetable farming by the household. The collective action, existing general ethical norms and reciprocity have positive contribution in adoption of vegetable farming by the household. At the site level, social capital significantly contributes to increase community participation and promote gender equity in the program. The sites with higher level of social capital were found adopting vegetable farming at larger proportion. The interpersonal trust and bonding networks of households create inertia for change in farming system at the initial stage, and their effect can be reduced by improving general trust level and strengthening bridging and linking networks in communities. The reinforcement of ethical norms, increment in reciprocity and cooperation among the households also help to increase the adoption of vegetable farming by the households.