An Inquiry into Bhutanese Agriculture Research–Practice Gaps Using Rogers Innovation Adoption Attributes and Mode 2 Knowledge Production Features

Abstract

Investigation into the relevance and utility of bridging gaps between knowledge and practice is necessary to justify such endeavors to public funding agencies. This study investigated the underlying causes of the research–practice gap in the Bhutanese context with the aim to realign the relevance of agricultural research and to enhance practice using Rogers innovation attributes on features of Mode 2 knowledge production features. Out of 233 articles published by three agricultural journal publishers, only 110 articles that met our criteria were included in this study. Principal component analysis (PCA) for 23 variables yielded five variables that contributed 90% of the total variation. The first two dimensions contained 39.34% of the total dataset inertia, which was significantly greater than the reference value (17.19%) obtained by simulating 959 data tables of equivalent size based on a normal distribution. Further, cluster analysis differentiated the observations into three distinct clusters that significantly differed in their variable descriptive values. The innovation attributes ‘complexity’ and ‘compatibility’ received the highest score, while ‘observability’ had the lowest score. Under innovation diffusion elements, ‘time’ and ‘social system’ aspects were the least considered, thus affecting the innovation adoption. The ‘context of application’ of innovation had the highest score (65%), whereas ‘diffusion’ of the knowledge under transdisciplinarity received the lowest score. Both the diversity of ‘discipline’ and ‘organization’ inclusion under heterogeneity received the lowest score. Informal communication and social dimension received the lowest score among the Mode 2 knowledge production variables. Bhutan followed conventional, linear, and unidirectional approaches to research and extension diffusion systems, by which research institutions innovate, and extension workers bring innovation to potential adopters. Bhutanese research policy and strategy must consider reframing relevant agriculture innovation systems to keep abreast of modern technology development.