As in many other sectors, the privatization wave has also affected agricultural research and extension. This thesis addresses a number of the consequences this has had. Where there used to be effective interaction in the previous public agricultural knowledge infrastructure, privatization has caused a certain degree of disintegration. Instead of cooperation there is now competition, and less free exchange of information. The privatization operation was meant to bring about a demand driven knowledge infrastructure, but this does not take place automatically. Because the demand side (farmers, government) and supply side (research and advisors) in this newly emerged market cannot find each other easily, a whole range of bridging and brokerage organizations have arisen to fill this gap. They appear to fulfill an important catalyzing role, by clarifying the problem and information demands, seeking parties which may provide the best knowledge intensive services, and facilitating the cooperation in the innovation process. A problem however is that this work is quite intangible and invisible, as a result of which it is hard to find sustainable funding for it.
Title thesis: ""Matching demand and supply in the Dutch agricultural knowledge infrastructure. The emergence and embedding of new intermediaries in an agricultural innovation system in transition"