How can you build social capital to improve agribusiness resilience?

To bolster agribusiness resilience, fostering social capital is paramount. Social connections are pivotal for growth, resilience against shocks, and maintaining the status quo. Strengthening relationships with partners and stakeholders based on trust, reciprocity, and mutual benefit is vital. Effective strategies include factual communication, offering feedback and appreciation, sharing information and best practices, and learning from other's experiences. Additionally, exchanging resources, services, or products creates value-added opportunities. To support and participate in initiatives or events to fortify the agribusiness ecosystem. Building robust social capital enhances adaptability and success in agribusiness.

In Tunisia thanks to the social and solidarity economy framework, the must successful farmers operate within a cluster where the social capital is much better. They enhanced the value chain resiliency, ensured a better visibility to be garted by the international organizations to beneficiate from diverse supports and they have better access to the national market through the digital tools.

Agribusiness, crucial to the global economy, demands resilience in the face of adversities. Building social capital is essential to strengthen this resilience. Through strategic partnerships among producers, research institutions, and government, it is possible to share knowledge, resources, and technologies. This collaboration facilitates the adoption of sustainable practices, efficient risk management, and continuous innovation, promoting adaptation to climate and economic changes.

You can build social capital to improve agribusiness resilience by investing in social governance structures which secures benefits and invent solutions to socio-economic problems through membership in socuial networks. One of such networks is through farmer organizations and cooperative structures.

Social capital is critical both for farmer aggregation and for strong relationships within the value chain. Expanding the network of trusted relationships is challenging, however. Social capital helps create the trust needed for effective collective action and collaboration. The larger the size of the network the more difficult this becomes. In my work with farmers and small businesses around the world I have found that beyond the important role of what E. Ostrom refers to as "institutions" (rules, incentives, rewards, punishments, etc), collective identity is another powerful tool that supports the growth of the network size while maintaining social capital.

**Build Trust and Credibility**: - Engage in open and transparent communication with stakeholders to build trust and credibility. - Demonstrate reliability and integrity in your business dealings to establish a positive reputation within the agricultural community. - Follow through on commitments and maintain ethical business practices to strengthen trust with stakeholders. **Collaborate and Share Knowledge**: - Foster collaboration with other agribusinesses, research institutionsto share knowledge and resources. - Participate in industry events, workshops, and conferences to network with peers and exchange best practices. - Share information and lessons learned with your network to build reciprocity and mutual support