abstract:-  Importance of the Research-Extension Linkage
The ultimate objective of both research and extension systems is to increase agricultural
production. Their roles of generating and transferring technology are complementary.
Research institutions need to have information on the productive problems, technology
requirements and socio-economic and ecological environment of producers to formulate
research agenda and to set the priorities. Formulating a research agenda based on
producers' requirements results in technological packages that will be more acceptable
to users and this could allow the research institutions to allocate their resources more
efficiently. Researchers may also have to interact with producers on a continuous basis
during the process of technology generation. Extension services can provide research
institutions with feedback information and play a moderator role between farmers and
researchers. Extension services require a continuous flow of information from research
institutions on new and improved practices. Therefore, an efficient two-way
communication process is necessary for generating and transferring the appropriate
technology effectively. The success of the two-way communication is determined
mainly by the effectiveness of linkage between research and extension institutions.
Since 1960, food production in Egypt has failed to keep pace with consumption. A
number of factors have contributed to increase this gap including:
1. A low level of investment in agricultural research.
2. Slow growth in agricultural products.
3. Rapid population growth and therefore a large increase in food consumption.