Community Based Organic Farming and Social Capital in Different Network Structures: Studies in Two Farming Communities in Bangladesh

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess the status of social capital in different networks of two farming communities (organic and conventional farming) in Tangail district of Bangladesh. Social trust and reciprocity existed in the community were measured in informal, generalized and institutional networks of these two communities. The study was conducted by administering questionnaire survey among the farmers of the two communities. A total of 100 farmers, 50 from each of the organic and conventional farming communities, constituted the sample of the study. To measure social trust and reciprocity in different networks in a community, a self-designed questionnaire was developed to gather needed data. The finding indicated that, there was a statistically significant difference between organic and conventional farmers in regards to trust and reciprocity in generalized and institutional realms of social networks of the both communities. On the other hand, no significant difference was established between the communities in regards to trust and reciprocity in their informal network structure.