A Study of Some Mechanisms for Social Capital Development in Agricultural Higher Education System in Iran

The advent of an economy based upon socioeconomic capabilities and obligation, along with move in the direction of such knowledge oriented concepts as social investments makes one consider other such theries as social capital in an analysis of basic skill formations, and as well in the development and application of these skills in higher education and curricula. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms for development of social capital in Iranian Agricultural higher education system. The statistical population of the study included 177 agricultural students (at BSc level) in five universities of Tehran, Razi Kermanshah, Lorestan, Shiraz and Kerman. The mechanisms for development of social capital in Agricultural Higher Education System were explained though Likert type scale. Based upon Factor Analysis, six components of social capital (social participation, social trust, social knowledge, social security, cultural capital as well as social solidarity) were the items determined. These explained 74.37 percent of total variance.The results of the study suggest the implication for development of social capital in Agricultural Higher Education and the provision of social skills required for the pertinent graduates.