Beyond soil and yields: a systematic review of social capital’s role in regenerative agriculture

Summary

This systematic review investigates the role of social capital in shaping regenerative agriculture systems, moving beyond conventional metrics of soil health and yield to consider human and relational dimensions. By synthesising peer-reviewed literature, the authors likely identify how farmer networks, trust, and collaborative structures mediate the uptake and persistence of regenerative practices. The paper arguably contributes a socio-ecological framing to regenerative agriculture research, highlighting that transitions are not purely technical but are embedded in social relationships and institutional contexts.

UK applicability

Although the review appears international in scope, its findings on social capital — such as the importance of farmer peer networks and collective action — are broadly applicable to UK contexts, including agri-environment scheme participation, farming clusters, and the growing network of regenerative farming groups such as the Innovative Farmers network and FWAG.

Key measures

Social capital indicators (trust, network density, collective action participation); regenerative agriculture adoption rates; community resilience proxies; qualitative and quantitative outcomes across included studies

Outcomes reported

The review examines how social capital — including trust, networks, and collective action — influences the adoption, sustainability, and outcomes of regenerative agriculture practices. It likely synthesises evidence on how farmer relationships, peer learning, and community cohesion shape transitions beyond purely biophysical or productivity measures.

Topic tags