Linking Research, Extension And Farmers: The Case Of Mangrove Swamp Rice Cultivation In Sierra Leone

Many recent studies have found that one of the major weaknesses in the generation, wider testing, dissemination and adoption of improved agricultural technologies in developing countries is the absence of or chronically weak linkages among researchers, extension staff and farmers (Cernea, Coultler, & Russell, 1985; Chambers, Pacey, & Thrupp, 1989; Compton, 1984; Farrington, 1988; Kaimowitz, 1990; Lakoh & Akinbode, 1981; Merrill-Sands, Kiamowitz, Sayce, & Charter, 1989; Richards, 1985; Rolling, 1986). In spite of the results from these studies, which have suggested the need for formal and direct researchextension-farmer linkages, the achievement of this goal has eluded most developing countries. This paper illustrates the seriousness of this predicament using the case of the cultivation of selected improved mangrove swamp rice varieties in Sierra Leone, West Africa.