| 초록 |
The purpose of this study was to find interdependence between social capital and contract-based agricultural communities who produce organic commodities. It also tried to understand how this neo-endogenous development leads to regional revitalization. The study area was Goesan county, Chungcheongbuk-do(province) where the population is seriously declining and aging as in many other Korean rural areas. In Goesan county, only 3% of the total cultivated area is practicing organic farming. Many produces are cultivated in small quantities in small farms in hilly, mountainous areas. Among them, six producer communities and two processing communities distribute organic agricultural and livestock products under agreements with Hansalim Consumer Cooperative Association. They reduce intermediate costs by direct transactions between producers and Hansalim members. The selling prices are about 75% of consumer’s price. Each producer community has commonality in crop cultivation and livestock farming through organizations such as agricultural associations, livestock tracing systems, incubating farms, village enterprises, and social enterprises. The social capital is built on relationships to promote and develop local agriculture in each community. Such a local agricultural practice plays a role as a vertical production community that helps maximize individual profits by expanding new business area. It also helps regional revitalization through neo-endogenous development of horizontal local communities that create profits to Goesan citizens. Local agriculture through producer community is a sustainable method for local revitalization by increasing return population to farming and rural areas, by expanding exchange and affiliated population with cities, and by maintaining school operation in underpopulated areas. |
