A study on the participation of family farms in order-based agriculture in the southwest mountainous regions of China: A social capital perspective

Order-based agriculture aligns with the fundamental requirements for the high-quality development of modern agriculture in the new era. This study investigates how social capital influences the participation of family farms in order-based agriculture across the mountainous regions of southwestern China. Drawing on survey data from 557 farms and employing logit and Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) mediation effect models, the research reveals that social capital significantly promotes participation. Specifically, stronger social networks, heightened trust, and established norms are associated with increased engagement. While access to information mediates this relationship, the direct effect of social capital remains predominant. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing both social capital and information accessibility to encourage greater involvement among family farms. Furthermore, targeting younger and middle-aged farmers engaged in single-product production is crucial for promoting sustainable development.