The Role of Iran\'s Joint Cooperatives in the Rural Development of Catchment Areas: A Case Study of Esfahan Province

         The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship and effectiveness of joint cooperatives in rural development of Esfahan province. The main part of data is extracted from the results of Agricultural General Census of 2003 as well as the Statistics of the Vital Events and Rural Facilities in 2003 from the Deputy of Health and Treatment of Esfahan Medical Sciences University. The regression results indicated that there is a low association between rural development indicators and joint cooperatives, The only significant relationships existed between cooperatives and indices of rural facilities, employment and demographic characteristics. In addition, the estimated fitness from the structural equation modeling indicated the non confirmation of the model in the examination of the relationship between the indices of the two issues in the research. In general, the results showed that joint cooperatives were not successful in the socioeconomic development of their catchment areas; therefore, it is suggested that their activities be reconsidered seriously.