Analysis of Research–Extension-Farmers Linkage: The Case of Dangila District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The extension system in Ethiopia is used pipeline extension model, which researchers develop technology, extension workers act as technology disseminator and farmers are technology users. Such top-down approach characterized by separate involvement of actors limits the farmers’ opportunity to get knowledge and skills on the technology. The overall aim of the study was to identify and describe the linkages and linkage mechanisms among research- extension-farmers. Simple random, snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used for selecting respondents and study area for this study. The data collection tools also included interview schedules, questionnaires, and check lists. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and mann-whitney U-test non parametric statistical tool. The mann-whitney U test analysis result indicated that, linkages between research-extension and farmers show that, extension workers had strong linkage with farmers in the process of technology transfer and there is no statistically significance on the ratings of linkages between extension workers with researchers and farmers’ with researchers. The linkage mechanisms also indicated that, trainings, method demonstrations and field visit linkage mechanisms were frequently and commonly used by majority of the partners. In conclusion, the linkages between farmers with researcher and extension with research were weak that needs strengthen through joint implementation of linkage mechanisms. In general perspective role of linkages in the process of technology transfer in Ethiopia were weak. The major reasons were non/little involvement of farmers in the research system, top-down approach and poor use of linkage mechanisms.