| Summary: | The study examined collaboration among research-extension-and farmers for agricultural
innovation in North West Province, South Africa. The study was based on the need for
agricultural production to be more responsive to demand through effective collaboration and
strengthened linkage activities among researchers, extension officers and farmers. A simple
random sampling technique was used to select 50 researchers, 50 extension officers and 50
farmers from the Agricultural Research Council and North West University, Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development, National African Farmers' Union and African Farmers
Association of South Africa respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Data was analyzed with SPSS version 21 using frequency count percentages, mean and standard
deviations. The results indicate that there is weak linkage between researchers, extension agents
and farmers. Actor linkage is affected by personal characteristics, attitude towards collaboration,
knowledge of Agricultural Innovation Systems and institutional constraints among others. To
make the value chain more effective, this paper recommends operative linkage among
researchers-extension agents and farmers. === Thesis (M.Sc.(Agricultural Science) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2013
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