Social Capital and Farmer Household Food Security in Riau Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation between social capital on farmer household food security in Riau Province. This research conducted in four districts with different characteristics that exist in Indragiri Hilir and Rokan Hilir as representing areas with high agricultural activity, while Kampar and Rokan Hulu represent areas with intermediate agricultural activity. Survey in this study conducted in two periods, in 2013 with Kampar and Indragiri Hilir as many as 114 samples, and in 2014 with Rokan Hulu and Rokan Hilir for 96 samples, so that the total amount is 210 samples of farmer households. The sampling method is done randomly. The analysis of the influence of social capital on farmer household food security using a model of farm household itself by Ordinary Least Square (OLS) as analysis tool. The results showed that the variable price of yam, eggs, chicken meat, fish, cooking oil, number of household members and social capital has significant impact on farmer food security, while the variable price of rice, household head age, education level of farmers and income from farming have no significant effect on farmer household food security. Furthermore, the existing social capital in society composed of 4 (four) aspects which are trust, social networks within the supporting structure, norms and values, and the level of participation in the organization which give positive contribution to farmer household food security.

Keywords: social capital, farmer households and food security.