ساز و كارهاي ارتباطي موجود ميان تحقيق و ترويج كشاورزي از ديدگاه كارشناسان

Factors Affecting the Linkage Mechanisms between Agricultural Extension and Research

The research and extension, two main components of Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS), have long been considered as effective and determinant in the process of agricultural development. The interaction between these two components has been one of the main weaknesses of AKIS in developing countries including Iran. The general purpose of this descriptive survey study was to investigate the present status of interaction between research and extension and the related linkage mechanisms in order to suggest solutions for strengthening and institutionalizing the relationship between the two components. The population of the study consisted of research and personnel at Head Offices of the two departments in Deputy Ministry level and Jihad Agriculture organization of Tehran province, 361 and 124 person respectively. A proportional stratified sample of 120 people, encompassing 63 research and 57 extension specialists was selected as determined by Cochran formula. Data were collected using an interviewed questionnaire which was validated by a ten-member panel of experts and the reliability index was established by a Cronbachʹs Coefficient (.82). To analyze the data descriptive statistics and explanatory factor analysis were applied using SPSS software. Major findings indicate: 1- The present interaction between agricultural research and extension sub-systems of Iran is not institutionalized and is weak; 2- Among the 12 identified linkage mechanisms, the highest priority of relationship was conducted through the " Joint Research- Extension Projects", while the mechanism of the " Participation of Extensionists in Applied Research Projects" was ranked as the lowest by the respondents; 3-According to factor analysis six factors were obtained among which "the Organizational Factor" had the highest and "the Attitudinal Factor" had the lowest effect on the current linkage. This research provides a conceptual framework for effective interaction between agricultural research and extension in Iranian context.