The overall agricultural development of Bangladesh is rapidly progressing. The advancement in agricultural attainments is not a problem free venture. Various new problems are being faced by the SAAOs (Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers) at present. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the problems faced by the SAAOs regarding agricultural extension at field level and to explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the SAAOs and the faced problems. A number of 46 problems of SAAOs were selected as the focus issue (dependent variable). The study was conducted in Batiaghata and Dumuria upazila under Khulna district. Data were collected from randomly selected 53.97% of the SAAOs (34 out of 63) from each upazila, using an interview schedule during July10 to September 25 of 2019. A problem severity index (PSI) was used to make comparison among the 46 selected problems. Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient (ρ) was used to ascertain the relationship between the focus issue (ordinal type of data) and personal characteristics of the respondents. In Batiaghata upazila about two-third of the SAAOs (61.5%) had moderate problems where, “slow rate of promotion compares to other govt. job”, “difficulties of getting promotion” and “shortage of manpower” ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd position, respectively. In Dumuria upazila majority of the SAAOs (71.4%) had moderate problems where, “every block covers large area”, “shortage of manpower” and “difficulties of getting promotion” ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd position, respectively. Student t-test result (t Stat 0.35; P(T<=t) two-tail 0.73) showed that there is no significant difference between the problems faced by the SAAOs of Dumuria and Batiaghata upazila. There was no significant relationship between extent of problems and selected characteristics in Batiaghata and Dumuria upazila, except job experience of SAAOs had showed a positive significant relationship. The SAAOs are facing various newly emerged problems at present while conducting agricultural extension activities which should be taken under consideration for priority based solution for sustainable agricultural advancement. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(1): 61-73, April 2020

The agriculture of Bangladesh is progressing by using new technologies for production. This can be obtained by transferring technology to the farmers.  Opinion leaders (OLs) are used as role models in the adoption of technology. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of OLs played regarding technology transfer. The study was conducted at Dumuria upazila under Khulna district. The data were collected from October 20, 2021 to January 5, 2022, from randomly selected 70 farmers and purposively selected 30 opinion leaders. A Role Extent Index (REI) was used to make comparison among the selected 25 roles of OLs and 15 roles of farmer as recipient of the extension service provided by the OLs. A Problem Severity Index (PSI) was also incorporated to make a comparison among the problems faced by the OLs. Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to ascertain the relationship between the focus issue and personal characteristics of the respondents. According to the Opinion Leaders majority (60%) of the OLs play important role and majority (72%) faced moderate problem and majority (80%) of the farmers play important role as a recipient. Farmers also assumed that majority (87.1%) of OLs play important role. ‘Remain unbiased to share information’ became the first ranked role of the OLs in technology transfer. Family income, training received and extension media contact had positive significant relationship with the extent of role played by the opinion leaders in extension services. Opinion leaders are important determinants and their role became the bridge between farmers and technology, thus, necessary steps should be taken to involve, train and supervise the Opinion Leaders.