ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the correspondence between the changing role of the state and the organization of government research and extension, and examines the effect of this correspondence on the links between research and extension. This is followed by an historical review of the Latin American experience. The chapter focuses on the ways in which Latin American governments have sought to give coherence to their objectives, policies and actions and have attempted to overcome the problems arising from the need to create a wide range of specialized institutions. It summarizes the organizational and institutional development of government research and extension and outlines the main factors to be considered in the design of new structures which promote effective collaboration between the two activities. The linkage problems between agricultural research and extension arise from the differences in the nature of the two activities, in their objectives, and in the knowledge and resources they mobilize to achieve these objectives.
