Social capital and local development in the local productive arrangement of shade-grown coffee in the Maciço de Baturité region, Ceará

Abstract

Shaded (ecological) coffee from the Maciço de Baturité region has been standing out in the regional and state scenario, given the process of organization of the network of producers. In order to assess and analyze the level of social capital in the productive arrangement of ecological coffee producers in the Maciço de Baturité region, state of Ceará, in 2022. This article used field research and a case study with 36 producers. The measurement of social capital (ICS) in the network was classified as having a medium level of social capital, with greater importance placed on the cognitive social capital dimension, previous collective action and organizational profile dimension. Social capital emerges as a fundamental pillar for local development, since its cascading effects can enhance the social and economic dynamism of rural communities in the coffee production arrangement, generating positive impacts in the regional by promoting the development of other local productive activities.

Keywords
social capital; local productive arrangement; local development; rural communities; social relations