ABSTRACT
This chapter presents part of two studies being undertaken by the International Service for National Agricultural Research: the study of the links between research and technology transfer; and the research project on the organization and management of on-farm client-oriented research in national agricultural research systems. It discusses the relationship between on-farm research and extension is contrasted in three countries—Guatemala, Nepal and Zambia. The chapter focuses on evidence from all nine countries to analyze the experience with six mechanisms for linking on-farm research and extension. Nine countries were included in the study: Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Nepal, Panama, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The chapter points out the lessons that emerge from the case studies for research managers using on-farm research as a means of strengthening the links between research and extension. In most developing countries, agricultural research and extension are separate public institutions with different mandates and different ways of operating.
