Does Social Capital Affect Farming Production?: A Case Study of Pulu Mandoti Emas Rice Farmers in South Sulawesi

The sustainability of traditional Pulu Mandoti Emas (PME) rice farming in Salukanan Village, South Sulawesi, Indonesia relies on the unique qualities and indigenous cultivation techniques of the farmer. Social capital of the farmers serves as a network of relationships, trust, and shared norms between PME farmers that is crucial for sustaining the cultivation of PME rice. The objectives of this article are to investigate social capital of PME paddy farmers in Salukanan Village and other factors affecting PME farming production. The structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital of 64 selected farmers were observed and analyzed using multiple regression which employs descriptive method to examine farmers’ bonding and bridging social capital, social and institutional trust, and norms of reciprocity. The multiple regression analysis and the Cobb-Douglas production function revealed that, in addition to land use, bonding and bridging social capital, also institutional trust has a positive impact on PME rice production. The continuous exchange of information among farmers regarding cultivation outcomes and PME farming practices is essential for enhancing production and promoting sustainable farming practices. Furthermore, local governments’ supports through subsidy policies, combined with effective communication, can significantly bolster these cultivation activities, ensuring the long-term success of PME farming. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.