​Digital Social Capital and Agripreneurial Capability on Young Shallot Farmers' Interest amid Systemic Uncertainty

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the influence of digital social capital and agripreneurial capability on young shallot farmers' interest in remaining committed to farming, through the mediating roles of agritech adoption and economic resilience, as well as the role of systemic uncertainty in Brebes Regency. The study employs an explanatory quantitative approach using covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM-AMOS version 23). Data were analysed from 600 young shallot farmers in Brebes Regency, collected through proportional stratified random sampling, using a 1-7 Likert-scale questionnaire. The research model met the goodness-of-fit criteria (CMIN/DF=1.046; GFI=0.933; RMSEA=0.009; CFI=0.997). Digital social capital had a significant effect on agripreneurial capability (β=0.429). Agripreneurial capability had a significant effect on agritech adoption (β=0.367) and economic resilience (β=0.472), although its direct effect on young farmers' interest was not significant (β=0.100; p=0.056). Agritech adoption and economic resilience were shown to fully mediate this effect (indirect effect, p=0.002). Agripreneurial capability influences young farmers' interest indirectly, through strengthening the adoption of digital agricultural technology and the economic resilience of farming households, rather than directly. This study is limited to a single production centre region, so the results should be generalised with caution. This study provides an empirical framework for policymakers on young farmer regeneration and the development of a digital agripreneurship ecosystem based on horticultural commodities in Indonesia.

Keywords

Agritech Adoption Agripreneurial Capability Digital Social Capital Economic Resilience Young Farmers' Interest