ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the experiences encountered during the tropical fruit tree (TFT) project to build social capital within communities in India through a process of establishing and strengthening self-help groups (SHGs) for the benefit of their livelihoods and the conservation of local diversity in fruit tree species and varieties. Empowering farmers and their institutions, creating space for social learning and innovation and a dynamic system of small-scale innovation might be a sustainable way to mainstream good practices for livelihood options and conservation actions using local biodiversity. Farmer or self-help groups organized around a community biodiversity management (CBM) fund have started off well with social capital building practices but require long-term nurturing and support for sustainability and effective use. (SHGs) or farmers' groups (FGs) provide an entry point for efforts to work with community members. Microcredit initiatives are considered a good practice for mobilizing social capital by helping poor farmers to access financial, human, physical and natural assets.
