M. Fathi - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran.
M. Charmchian Langerodi - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran.
M. R. Shahraki - Young Researchers Club, Meybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Meybod, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Rural production cooperatives, as an effective tool for rural development, have an important role in increasing the capabilities of rural farmers. In order to achieve the goals, in addition to human, social, and economic support, cultural development is also needed. In this regard, this study aimed at investigating the impact of cultural capital on the empowerment of rural production cooperative members. The study was conducted in Amol, Iran. A total of ۶,۱۵۰ members of ۱۱ rural production cooperatives were selected as the statistical population of the study, and ۳۰۰ of whom were selected as the study sample based on Cochran's formula. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire composed of two parts of cultural capital (embodied, objectified and institutionalized) and empowerment (psychological, social, and economic). The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts' opinions. Also, based on the Average Variance Extracted (۰.۵۱۴> AVE< ۰.۶۶۳) and Composite Reliability (۰.۸۰۸> CR< ۰.۹۶۶), the questionnaire had a convergent validity and appropriate reliability. SPSS۱۶ and Smart PLS۲ software were used to analyze the data. Results of the research showed that cultural capital had a significant impact on the psychological, social, and economic empowerment level of the members of the rural production cooperatives. According to the results, it is recommended that, by careful planning, sufficient benefits be gained from the potential of cultural capital in the future development policies of rural production cooperatives, so that an effective, though small, step can be taken toward development of the aforementioned cooperatives.

Development policies, Social and economic empowerment, Structural equation modeling.