Study of Implementing the Research Projects Results of plant production performed in AREEO During 2001-2011:the Researchers' Opinion

Abstract
Annually more than 700 research projects are conducted by Agricultural
Research, Extension and Education Organization (AREEO) researchers in the
area of plant productions. However, there is no factual information about the
effective and practical use and implementation of their findings. The present
research aims to assess the number of research projects whose findings have been
utilized in practice, as viewed by the project managers. To achieve this goal,
questionnaires were sent to a sample of 365 research project managers from a pool
of 7754 projects completed during 2001-2011. The response rate to the
questionnaires was 50% (185). The findings of this study show that the results of
only one third of research projects were used in practice. About 87% of the
respondents also believed that the projects had been defined and carried out
according to a set of pre-determined organizational priorities. The study also
indicates that the main reasons for the implementation of plan production research
findings include necessity, applicability, and understandability of the findings for
the target audience. Among the barriers for the implementation of research project
findings are the lack of coordination between research and extension sectors, The
AREEO’s inappropriate policy decisions and financial constraints.