Evaluation of Agricultural Innovation System in Assiut Governorate using Graph Theoretical Technique

This research aimed at: (1) Evaluating the linkages inside the agricultural innovation system in Assiut Governorate; 2) Identifying the critical information gaps and pathways inside the agricultural innovation system in Assiut Governorate; 3) Evaluating the information flow inside the agricultural innovation system in Assiut Governorate. The study was conducted on 77 respondents representing the seven studied components of the agricultural innovation system. Data were collected using questionnaire form during February 2020. Graph theoretical technique was used for data presentation and analysis. With regard to evaluating the linkages inside the system, the results indicated a low density of the linkages matrix (0.36), and it was also found that the agricultural extension component turned out to be the largest source of influence, while agricultural research is the most affected component inside the system. Regarding the information gaps and pathways within the system, it was found that agricultural extension and agricultural research were the dominant components, while farmers' organizations was the most subordinate component inside the system, as the research identified five important linkages (RH-RF-HF-EH- EF), and two important pathways (EHF- RHF) to be concerned about for better information streaming inside the system. As for the evaluation of information flow, it was found that agricultural extension was the main sender of information, while agricultural higher education was the main receiever of information among the components of the system. It also came out that the most needed components to be reformed inside the system were agricultural secondary education.