Social capital investment and rural poverty reduction in Kogi state (2012-2022)

Abstract

This study measured the social capital investment of households in rural kogi state and new ways that social capital investment of households could be strengthened, increased and used for rural poverty reduction in kogi state. The study used analyses of variance to test whether poor households in rural kogi state have inventory of social capital investment for rural poverty reduction. The analyses indicated that poor households in rural kogi state have; inventory of structural and cognitive social capital, diversified sources that provides access to structural social capital and over ninety percent of the rural households in Kogi State are in a position to increase their social capital investment. The findings implied that giving the high level of poverty ravaging these rural households, it’s imperative for the government and all development stakeholders to increase their use of these stock of social capital in tackling rural poverty in the state. This may begin with existing social capital networks that can then be used for other purposes. NGOs and other poverty reduction organizations should adopt the use of groups and networks in the implementation of their programmes in the rural communities; this will help to increase the level of participation and trust in the groups and networks. It is further recommended that government and other development actors pay significant attention to developing the local leadership capacity of existing community groups and networks; this will increase their capacity to identify, harness and utilize the stock of social capital existing in their communities to improve the wellbeing of the rural households while using bottom-top approach in the design and implementation of rural poverty reduction programmes.