An Analysis of Agricultural Linkage and Technology Innovation System: with Special Focus in Ethiopia

In todays world, information and knowledge isa power engine for development. Having astrong linkage between research, education, extension, farmer and other concerned stakeholders hasthe power to improve the performance of the agricultural system. Agricultural linkage enclosesgenerating andtransferringagricultural technologies to enhance productivity, reduce loss, and improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries as well as the countrieseconomy. These technologies can be in the form of production packages, information or knowledge. Technologies need to be properly packaged to meet the needs of the target clients and achieve the desired level of productivity. The attributes of information largely depends on the effective transfer and practical application of the information. However, effectiveness of information systemis inhibited by different factors. For example, although Ethiopias economy is dependent on the agricultural sector, the growth of the sector is constrained by different factorssuch asinefficient information-knowledge and technology dissemination. Therefore, the objective of thisreview study isto analyze the current status of linkage between agricultural actors and extent of agricultural technology innovationsystem. The results of the review study shows that different factors are constraining the system. A weak-link between stakeholders and innovation actors, less participation level of extension professionals in the system, weak technologicalinnovation of the system are among the main bottlenecks. Based on the findings, it is concluded that strengthening the link between stakeholders, enhancing the innovation of the sector and involvement of professional in the system are the basis to improve the efficiency of the system.