Some of the problems found nowadays in the research and extension organizations in Brazil are the lack of effective interactions and communication between agricultural scientists and extension workers, and how extension workers utilize research publications to communicate agricultural information to Brazilian farmers. The main objectives of this research project, then, are: (1) to describe and explore the present situations concerning research and extension linkages or interactions in a worldwide basis and specifically in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil; (2) to identify factors that affect research-extension linkages; (3) to define possible measures leading to an improvement of system's communication linkages regarding its effectiveness toward the clientele (farmers); (4) to analyze the use of research publications by extension agents, factors affecting it and find out measures to improve them. Particularly, the study tries to answer among others, the following questions: How often are the contacts between agents and researchers? Do extension agents have a say in the planning of research priorities? Do extension agents look for the researchers advice on technical matters? Do agents who live close to experiment stations maintain...