Linkage Perspective in Agricultural Extension

Contents: Preface. 1. Systems perspective in research, extension and farmers interaction. 2.  Available knowledge based on research-extension farmers linkages. 3. Factors affecting the strength of research extension farmer linkages. 4. Identified constraints in maintaining linkages among research, extension and farmers. 5. Justification for empirical probe on research extension farmer linkage in dairying. 6. Methodology adopted. 7. Standardizing the instrument for measuring linkages. 8. Empirical findings on research extension farmer linkage. 9. Implications. Annexures.

Development of agriculture and livestock sectors in India has direct implications on country’s overall economic growth. Application of agricultural technologies by the end users is standard yardstick to quantify agricultural development in a given time and space. The book in hand attempts to highlight the all-possible dimensions of linkage perspective in agriculture. This include the conceptual framework of linkages, linkage constraints, factors affecting linkages, etc. besides, the book also contains the methodology to develop the measuring instrument to quantify the strength of research-extension-farmer linkage. The available knowledge base on various conceptual and empirical dimensions of linkage related issues has been reviewed and synthesized in the meaningful manner in the book. The different socio-personal, psychological, organizational, external and constraining factors are analyzed objectively and statistically. Based on the findings, an empirical model depicting the linkage strength between all three partners and the significant variables predicting linkage strength has been evolved and guideline for effective linkage mechanism has also been suggested.

This book will be extremely useful for the extension students, researchers, development practitioners as well as managers of agricultural development in general and dairy development in particular.