Evaluation of Spatial Difference of Social Capital in Improving the Production Status (Case Study: Villages of Sirjan County)

The rural economy of Sirjan is dependent on pistachio production due to the existence of sufficient potentials. However, for various reasons, farmer’s production is not at optimal level and a large percentage of scarce resources are wasted. This situation reduces farmer’s income and causes poverty, especially for small farmers. Strengthening social capital as a software factor, that affect production along with other sources of physical capital can help farmers to improve their production and income. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of farmers living in rural areas of Sirjan, where pistachio production is their main source of livelihood, considering the role of social capital. Therefore, social capital index was calculated using Putnam idea in different geographical locations of villages and then production efficiency of farmers in the presence of this factor was determined using data envelopment analysis method. Finally, by using Tobit model, the factors affecting the technical efficiency of farmers were identified. Statistics were collected in 2018-2019 using a questionnaire that its validity and reliability were examined.According to the findings, different dimension of social capital for villages located in the north and east of Sirjan city were at average level. Nevertheless, for villages located in the western and southern regions, trust, norms and social cohesion dimensions were at average level, but for communication network and social participation dimension were determined at low level. Taking into account social capital, technical efficiency scores among the gardens located in the north, east, west and south were determined to be 0.78, 0.72 and 0.43, respectively. Also Tobit analysis showed that education, experience, having second job, attending educational classes, geographical location of the garden, type of irrigation system, crop yield, water consumption and social capital factor improve the production efficiency but garden size and the distance from the villages to the city had negative effect on efficiency. In a situation where farmers face social, institutional and economic restrictions and have difficulty in increase common and expensive inputs such as capital and labor, strengthening the various dimensions of social capital can increase agricultural production and reduce poverty.