Social networks and agricultural innovation

Social networks play a key role in how farmers access and share agricultural information, particularly through trusted peer-to-peer relationships. Farmers are more likely to adopt innovations when advised by someone they know and respect. However, knowledge sharing is often limited by trust and competitive concerns. Most farmers form 'bonding social capital' with similar peers—sharing practices, commodities, and geographic proximity—limiting innovation to local contexts. In contrast, 'bridging social capital'—connections with diverse, distant farmers—drives broader innovation diffusion. Strengthening cross-regional and cross-practice networks is essential for advancing sustainable agricultural innovation across Europe.