Research-extension linkage: differences in formal and actual situations

Abstract

The increasing agricultural knowledge ensuing from national and international research results is only insufficiently transmitted to the farmers via the extension services and thus is utilized inadequately. The international training and visit system provides a new way of agricultural extension used in Sri Lanka. Formal organisations, such as the Regional Technical Working Groups, Research-Extension Dialogues, and Adaptive Research Units, are intended to strengthen the linkage of research and extension and improve the transfer of knowledge. In addition, experts are employed in regional research centres to coordinate research and extension, and specialists at district level for training the farmers. For various reasons, the field situation in research and extension requires modifications, which should also affect the aim of extension work.