Social Capital and Adaptive Capacity as Determinants of Agribusiness Performance among Transmigrant Farmers in North Maluku, Indonesia

Abstract

Agribusiness performance among transmigrant farmers is shaped by social relationships and the capacity to respond to changing agricultural and market conditions. However, the extent to which social capital and adaptive capacity are associated with agribusiness performance remains an important empirical question in developing agricultural communities. This study examines the relationships between social capital, adaptive capacity, and agribusiness performance among transmigrant farmers in North Maluku, Indonesia. A quantitative explanatory approach was employed using survey data from 240 respondents. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression to assess measurement validity, reliability, individual relationships, and overall model significance. The results indicate that social capital has a positive and statistically significant association with agribusiness performance (B = 0.191, p = 0.005). In contrast, adaptive capacity does not exhibit a statistically significant independent relationship with agribusiness performance (B = 0.007, p = 0.904). Although the overall regression model is statistically significant (F = 5.088, p = 0.007), its explanatory power is limited (R² = 0.041). These findings highlight the relevance of social capital in understanding agribusiness performance while suggesting that adaptive capacity alone may not be sufficient to explain performance differences within the study context. The study underscores the potential value of strengthening farmer networks, cooperation, and collective action, alongside improving access to productive resources, institutional support, and agricultural markets. Future research should incorporate additional economic, institutional, and technological factors to develop a more comprehensive understanding of agribusiness performance among transmigrant farmers.