SMALL FARMERS AND CONVERSION: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL (EVIDENCE FROM MANGGARAI, FLORES, EAST NUSA TENGGARA, INDONESIA)

Abstract

This article deals with the role of social capital in Manggarai on the basis of the following assumptions. First, the incapacity of the poor farmers to develop social capital themselves caused by external and internal constraints. Empowerment and policy approaches are primary in social capital formation. Second, combination of empowerment and policy approaches which seem to be relevant for problem solving. This article is based on field research where qualitative approach was used. Both farmers belonging to Ecopastoral and Non- Ecopastoral clusters have been developing social capitals for themselves used in their trajectories of conversion. The groups belonging to the clusters are important for further policy development through resource mobilization of social capitals own by government, civil society organization and market.