The purpose of the article is to substantiate theoretical and methodological bases for determining the place of social capital in the development of the agricultural sector, as well as the factors influencing its formation Research methods. The research used dialectical methods of cognition of processes and phenomena, including the monographic method (analysis of scientific achievements of Ukrainian and foreign scientists on the problems of social capital development), abstract-logical (theoretical generalizations and conclusions), the method of hierarchy analysis (determining the significance of factors). forming social capital). Research results. The key concepts of the social capital are studied, the author's definition is formulated. The structuring of specific features of social capital has been carried out. Social capital is considered as a set of components (trust, norms, social networks), which act as a means of horizontal and vertical connection between the elements of the hierarchical system of the national economy and its individual areas of activity. Based on the application of the method of analysis of hierarchies, it is proved that the formation of social capital is most influenced by personal and family relations, institutional trust and living conditions. Scientific novelty. The author's definition of the concept of social capital is formulated, its specific features, features of manifestation at different levels of the hierarchical system of the national economy and its spheres, in particular agrarian, as well as the factors that have the greatest influence on its formation. Practical significance. The use of the obtained results will allow to determine the aspects of formation and use of social capital of the agrarian sphere as a kind of basis for the development of rural areas and agrarian entrepreneurship. Tabl.: 7. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 30.