Innovations, social network and rural development : evidence from edible mushroom cultivation from Gutian county, China

Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Journal of rural studies manuscript draftTo investigate innovations and their role in contributing to rural development, this study focused on mushroom cultivation in the County of Gutian, China. The investigation centered on innovations of farmers, including technical aspects of cultivation, division of labor, and coordination in production and marketing. Based on a survey of 146 households, results support the importance of mushroom income in rural development, as well as the importance of social networks (relatives, friends, and fellow villagers) in accessing markets as well as technological information