Demographic diversity and social capital: A pathway to sustainable red durian cultivation in rural Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how demographic factors - education, income, and family size - interact with the core dimensions of social capital (trust, networks, and norms) to shape collective decision-making in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia, a rural area renowned for its culturally significant red durian cultivation. Using a mixed-method approach that integrates quantitative surveys (from 200 household heads within the local population) and qualitative interviews with community leaders, data were analyzed using principal component analysis and structural equation modeling. To contextualize the results, we additionally synthesize evidence from four recent rural-agriculture studies in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, highlighting both convergent and divergent demographic-social-capital pathways. Interview questions explored socio-economic contexts, stakeholder collaboration, and community norms, providing deeper insight into local governance structures. The findings reveal that higher education enhances trust in community institutions, stable incomes facilitate participation in social networks, and larger family sizes reinforce adherence to shared norms. These demographic-social capital interactions significantly influence community decisions regarding red durian cultivation, with educated and wealthier households more likely to support sustainable practices and larger families serving as social anchors. Notably, these results underscore the economic dimension of sustainability, as households with greater financial capacity can invest in improved farming techniques and marketing strategies. While grounded in a single case study, the insights offer potential lessons for other rural communities in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of integrating social capital-building initiatives into rural development strategies to promote collective action, cultural preservation, and sustainable agriculture. Policymakers are encouraged to implement context-specific education and income-support programs while fostering inclusive community networks. Nevertheless, the study’s single-site design suggests a need for broader comparative research, including additional demographic variables, to fully capture cross-cultural nuances and longitudinal dynamics.

Keywords

Social capital / Demographic diversity / Indonesia / Rural development / Collective decision-making / Sustainable agriculture

Funding

This research was funded by BPPM (Badan Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat/Research and Community Service Board), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya (Grant number 15/UN10.F07/PN/2024) with the scheme Hibah Pendanaan Penelitian Guru Besar (Professor Research Funding).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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