Innovations, social network and rural development : evidence from edible mushroom cultivation from Gutian county, China

Abstract

This study uses edible mushroom cultivation in the County of Gutian, China to investigate innovations and their role in contributing to rural development. The investigation centered primarily on the innovations of farmers and included not only the technical aspects of cultivation, but also the division of labor and coordination in production and marketing. It is demonstrated that the rural network, based primarily on kinship and villages, has played an important role. Findings underline the importance of grass-root intelligence and potential innovation, as well as diffusion through social networks, or social capital of the rural communities of China. Based on a survey of 146 households, results support the importance of mushroom income in rural development, as well as the importance of social networks consisting of relatives, friends, and fellow villagers in accessing markets and technological information.