Linking Agricultural Research with Extension: Iranian Agricultural Researchers’ Attitude Toward Collaboration with Extension Workers

Abstract

This study examines Iranian agricultural researchers’ attitudes regarding collaboration with extension workers and the variables associated with the researchers’ attitudes. Data were obtained using a questionnaire developed by Agricultural Research Centers of Charmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Safiabad and Khuzestan in 1998. The findings revealed that the researchers’ attitudes towards collaboration with the extension workers were generally positive although actual collaboration between researchers and the extension workers was at a low level. Therefore, it seems that lack of an overall strong relationship of attitudes with current behavior as well as weak collaboration is related to other factors that need to be studied more, for example management of participation or internal factors in each sub-system of extension or research etc. identified that The following factors/ characteristics of agricultural researchers were identified as having a positive correlation/ association with their attitude towards collaborating with extension workers: higher research experience, greater interaction with extension workers, a lower scientific position or possessing a higher management position, greater participation in seminars and colloquiums related to extension, and the influence/thinking of colleagues and managers