Of goats and groups: A study on social capital in development projects

Abstract

Many development projects use group or community approaches to distribute resources such as natural, financial and appropriate technology. Even though farmers sometimes use social networks for accessing to these resources, there is not enough evidence of the process and use of social networks in the groups or communities. This paper examines the farmers' social networks and the role of social capital to transfer 'group-based technology' and its impact on women. For the research methodology this study takes four Heifer Project International goats groups in Tanzania as case studies. In these four groups only one was a women's group. The case studies find that each person's social capital, ability to access and manage information is key for resource and technology transfer. The finding illustrates that most of the farmers were not dependent on the groups for information or technology. Only the women's group was benefited from this social capital network as they did not have enough access to resources like men. Therefore, women use this network as a resource.