Essence of social capital and its features in the agrarian sphere

The purpose of the article is to form an essence, classification of social capital and define its features in the agrarian sector of economy. Research methodology. In the research process has been used a set of methods and approaches: system analysis – in studying the theoretical bases of social capital and its features in the agrarian sphere; scientific abstraction – in developing common approaches to the complex classification of social capital; abstract and logical approach – in generalization of research results and formulation of conclusions. Elements of scientific novelty. Elements of scientific novelty are the further development of interpretation of an essence of the “social capital” concept; generalization and systematization of views of domestic and foreign scientists on the signs of social capital, by which it can be classified; determination of the features of formation and use of social capital in the agrarian sphere. The ways of increasing the rural social capital have been proposed. Practical significance. According to the research results of social capital, there’s been proposed its complex classification according to the nature of existing links, forms of manifestation, consequences for society and analysis levels. On basis of features of social capital of the agrarian sphere, there’ve been proposed measures to increase it based on increasing solidarity of rural population and positive development of the social environment in rural areas. Tabl.: 2. Refs.: 33.