Exploring the Links Between Farmers’ Intention to Apply for Rural Development Program and Networks
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Stojcheska, Aleksandra Martinovska
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-40049-1_26
Abstract
The rural areas in North Macedonia encompass around half of the
territory and population in the country, where agriculture is core activity and
source of income, with lack of other employment opportunities. The rural
development program (RDP) budget is not fully utilized. Informal networks
among rural population are still the most valuable source of social capital and
information exchange, whereas formal networks, such as associations or
cooperatives, are still lacking to ensure their sustainable and functional role.
This paper explores the factors influencing farmers’ intention to apply for RDP,
with an emphasis on network membership. The Theory of Planned Behavior and
Social Capital Theory are used as framework. A direct survey on 296 family
farms was carried out in 2014. The study is conducted using multivariate
statistics, structural equation modelling and social network analysis. The model
explains farmers’ mid-term intention to use RDP. Farmers’ attitudes and perceived
behavioral controls, as well as network activity and participation, significantly
influence the intention to apply for RDP funds. Network participation,
as well as education levels and investment tendency are positively related to the
intention to use RDP. These findings could be reflected in appropriate measures
to encourage farmers’ participation in institutionalized networks, thus in addition
to their primary aim, to increase the RDP effectiveness as means of providing
better opportunities and quality of life in rural areas.
territory and population in the country, where agriculture is core activity and
source of income, with lack of other employment opportunities. The rural
development program (RDP) budget is not fully utilized. Informal networks
among rural population are still the most valuable source of social capital and
information exchange, whereas formal networks, such as associations or
cooperatives, are still lacking to ensure their sustainable and functional role.
This paper explores the factors influencing farmers’ intention to apply for RDP,
with an emphasis on network membership. The Theory of Planned Behavior and
Social Capital Theory are used as framework. A direct survey on 296 family
farms was carried out in 2014. The study is conducted using multivariate
statistics, structural equation modelling and social network analysis. The model
explains farmers’ mid-term intention to use RDP. Farmers’ attitudes and perceived
behavioral controls, as well as network activity and participation, significantly
influence the intention to apply for RDP funds. Network participation,
as well as education levels and investment tendency are positively related to the
intention to use RDP. These findings could be reflected in appropriate measures
to encourage farmers’ participation in institutionalized networks, thus in addition
to their primary aim, to increase the RDP effectiveness as means of providing
better opportunities and quality of life in rural areas.
Subjects