Agriculture is one of the most important economic sections in the most developing countries. According to the FAO’s latest reports approximately 40 percent of the active economic population all over the world are working in this section, most of them living in developing countries. This study tries to investigate the socioeconomic dimensions of agricultural development in Behbahan township. The study was done on a descriptive-surveying method that uses field and documentary data. Firstly, according to the Numeric Taxonomy method the villages of Behbahan township were leveled for their development conditions. The results showed Dodangeh and Tashan-e-Garbi as the most and the least developed districts, respectively. The role of agricultural programs in the rural socioeconomic development was compared for these two districts. Generally, the role of agriculture was studied at both levels of the total villages and farmers’ households. The results showed that agricultural development provided the roots of socioeconomic developments and the backgrounds for enhancing rural services such as infrastructures and educational, hygienic, organizational communicational facilities. Agriculture also plays a significant role in making occupational opportunities for the rural male population. Agricultural sector has also enhanced food security and caused a decrease in the number of immigrations to urban regions as well that in itself is a significant factor for sustaining the rural territories. However, the results showed that although agricultural development has resulted in an increase in agricultural productions but could not increase the households’ income in the same rate. However, agricultural development has showed successful in making job opportunities for fathers in their residential village but could not show the same results for the youth and the women. Totally, the rural population claim a relatively high satisfaction of their job and their village environment although they are not satisfied of their access to agricultural inputs and services. Key words : Agricultural development, Village, Socioeconomic development, Behbahan township.
