LINKAGES MECHANISM BETWEEN RESEARCH-EXTENSION-FARMER IN BALOCHISTAN: A POLICY PARADIGM

• Published in: Pak. J. Agri. Engg., Vet. Sci. Vol. 33; no. 1
• Main Authors: A. A. Mengal, Z. D. Mirani, S. Habib, F. M. Baloch, M. A. Tareen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Balochistan; EFS; extension; farmers; linkages; Quetta
• ISSN: 1023-1072; 2663-7863

Present study sought to explore the emergent linkages/communication mechanism between research, extension and farmers responsible for diffusion of innovations in the Balochistan province, Pakistan. Two types of sampling approaches explicitly were used i.e. simple random sampling and systematic sampling for selecting respondents for this study. One hundred (100) Extension Field Staff were selected by using the systematic sampling method whereby every Kth number was randomly selected. Fifty (50) farmers were also selected through the simple random sampling procedure. Total, one hundred fifty (150) respondents (researchers=50; extensionists=50; farmers=50) were chosen as sample. Data were collected through comprehensive questionnaire. The Quetta district was purposively selected because of the all core extension activities and presence of functional agencies involved in agricultural technology transfer were run either research institute or extension wing in linkages context. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) a computer program (version 22.0) was used for quantitative data analysis. Aforesaid results show that effective linkages between research, extension and farmers remained non-significant concerning with the dissemination of modern technologies. Based on achieved results, the study recommended thatformation of technical experts team which should comprise the representatives of agriculture research institute and extension wing that should be drawn a policy agenda, cooperative efforts, and joint priority setting which constitute to guide the development goals of sustainable agriculture growth at province level so as to diminish the misinterpretation and stimulate to strengthen the communication sections. The study further recommends the promotion of the advisory services with the collaboration of the farming communities in order to disseminate the new technology and often appropriate practices by means of productive linkages.