Analyzing Effective Linkage Mechanisms between Research and Extension in the Agricultural Extension New System of Iran

The linkage between research and extension has always been considered as one of the most important and challenging issues in agricultural innovation systems. After the implementation of the agricultural extension new system, the linkage between these two sectors was considered as an important component. The main purpose of this survey research (which was done in 2021-2022) was to analyzing effective linkage mechanisms between research and extension in the agricultural extension new system in Iran. The statistical population of the study consisted of extension agents (N= 1113) in Alborz, Fars, Sistan & Baluchestan and Lorestan Provinces, out of whom 291 extension agents determined as sample using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table and proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire, validity of which was approved by a panel of experts and construct validity (AVE Index). Reliability of the questionnaire was approved by calculating the Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR). The collected data were analyzed by SPSS22 and Smart PLS3 software. Results of prioritizing effective linkage mechanisms between research and extension indicated that "motivation" and "monitoring and evaluation" mechanisms, respectively, with the average of 3.85 and 3.80 were in the highest ranks and "structural-functional" and "participatory" mechanisms, respectively, with the average of 3.66 and 3.67 were in the lowest ranks. In addition, the results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that these mechanisms had eight components (i.e. motivation, participation, infrastructure-support, legal-policy, structural-functional, monitoring - evaluation, communication and training-empowerment), that “motivation” and “communication” components had the highest and lowest values of standard coefficient (0.964 and 0.786). Accordingly, it is recommended to improve the linkage between research and extension through: motivation, participation in the multilevel planning process, using the capacities of the non-governmental sector, training and empowerment programs, structural reforms, providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure and use of information and communication technology.