The Effect of Microcredit on the Migration of Rural Households (Study Case of Sistan Region)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Mahtab Sarani
Alireza Sargazi
alireza keikha
Mahmoud Ahmadpour Borazjani
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
This study examines the impact of rural credit on household migration in the Sistan region. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to 522 rural households, and the analysis employed a propensity score matching (PSM) model. The results indicate that credit access had a significant negative effect on the migration propensity of rural households across all three matching algorithms: kernel, nearest neighbor, and radial. Specifically, the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) for migration propensity among households receiving credit was, on average, 24.22 to 24.25 points lower than that of the control group. This corresponds to a 34.29 to 34.31 percent reduction in migration propensity for recipient households compared to non-recipient households. These findings suggest that rural credit effectively supports the development of households' agricultural enterprises and consumption expenditures, thereby reducing the incentive to migrate. In particular, credit facilitates investment in household-based businesses, generating sustainable income, enhancing savings capacity, and strengthening rural livelihood resilience. Based on these results, it is recommended that government institutions prioritize credit allocation to rural areas and develop comprehensive plans to ensure adequate resource provision.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 December 2025