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
implementers/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 and factors that influence farmers’ participation on the
technology demonstration.
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, mannwhitney
U test and binary logistic regression model.
The mann-whitney U test analysis result indicated that, linkages between research-extension
and farmers show that, extension workers had highly 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
extension workers have more opportunity to participate in both farmers and research
activities. The linkage mechanisms also indicated that, trainings, method demonstrations and
field visit linkage mechanisms were frequently and commonly used by majority of the actors.
The binary logistic regression model analysis result indicated that, Sex, education, extension
advisory service and land ownership factors were significantly influence the farmers’
participation on the technology demonstration.
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, topdown
approach, poor use of linkage mechanisms
and
strategies
Keywords: linkage, linkage mechanisms, research-extension and farmers’ linkage