The Role of Agricultural Bank Credits in Rural Development: A Case Study of Tehran Province of Iran

This study descriptive and analytical study aimed at investigating the role of the credits granted by Agricultural Bank (Keshavarzi Bank of Iran) on rural development in Tehran province. It was conducted in a survey method. The statistical population consisted of farmers who had used the agricultural facilities of the bank at least one time during 2013-14. The study was mainly carried out through a questionnaire, the validity of which was obtained by using a panel of experts and masters in the rural development field. The reliability of the questionnaire was found and confirmed through a pre-test and the calculation by Cronbach Alpha. Based on the results, the agricultural credits were effective on various economic, ecological, social-cultural and structural developments with 0.77, 0.72, 0.61, and 0.58 load factors, respectively; also, the agricultural credits had no significant effect on the physical development.