Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important cereal crops of the world. It ranks first both in the context of per hectare cultivation and production. It is cultivated in most part of the world and about one third of the total population of the world live on it. It is a staple diet to most populations in the developed countries of Europe and America. It is equally consumed as the main food in developing countries. Wheat grain is rich in nutrient value containing carbohydrate 78.l%, protein 14.7%, minerals 2.1%, fat 2.1% and considerable proportion of vitamins (Peterson, 1965). The crop is grown under different environmental condition ranging to humid to arid, subtropical to temperate zone (Sann, 1998; Sheikh et al., 2024). In Bangladesh, wheat is the second most important staple crop after rice. About 388 hectare of land in Bangladesh is covered by wheat cultivation with an annual production of 844 thousand metric tons (BBS, 2008; Ali et al., 2021). 

Bangladesh is an agricultural country and population is 137 million with high density of 928 per square kilometer (Bangladesh Economic Survey, 2005). Wheat can be a good supplement of rice and can play the most vital role to feed the teeming millions. There is ample scope for wheat cultivation in Bangladesh as it is cultivated in Rabi season having minimum competition with rice for land. Wheat can be grown in winter season along with other crops like pulses, oil seeds, vegetable, etc. Five wheat production zones have been identified in Bangladesh viz. the North-West (N-W), North-East (N-E), North Central (N-C), South Central (S-C) and South West (S-W) zones include most of the major wheat growing areas in the country. Different natural calamities or disasters such as flood, drought, cyclone, tidal bore etc. affect the rice production. As a result rice production becomes uncertain. In this situation the cultivation of wheat can be given priority as a solution to food crisis. In the recent years the largest area of wheat cultivation in the winner climates exists in the South-East Asia including Bangladesh, India and Nepal. In 2004-2005, the wheat production, seeds required 79000 metric tons, current supply rate 17.98% and present production 14208 metric tons (Fakir, 2000). In spite of its importance, the yield of the crop in our country is low in comparison to the other countries of the world, where average yield estimated 2.69 t/ha. Though the area, production and yield rate of wheat have been increasing dramatically during the last decade, the wheat yield in Bangladesh is too low (2.2 t/ha) in comparison to the developed countries of the world like Japan, France, Germany and UK producing 3.76, 7.12, 7.28, and 8.00 t/ha, respectively (FAO, 2000). 

The production cost of wheat is low compared to rice and is preferable to rice for its higher grain protein content. Cost benefit ratio between wheat and boro rice are as follows 1.44 and l.39. The total production of rice in Bangladesh is not often sufficient to feed her people. In this case, wheat can be a good supplement of rice and can play the most vital role of feed the teeming millions of the people. There is ample scope of wheat cultivation in Bangladesh as it is cultivated in rabi season having minimum competition with rice for lance The trend of wheat area in Bangladesh is decreasing or static mainly due to increase in boro rice area. The causes of lower yield of wheat in Bangladesh were attributed to many factors like lack of innovation or good variety, quality seeds, untimely seeding and poor knowledge management package (FAO, 2000; Ali et al., 2022). Owing wheat production some guidelines must be followed such as irrigation, intercultural operation like weed management plant protection, etc. Irrigation is one of the main technological supports that effect the cultivation of wheat needs 30-40cm water during its whole growing period. Adequate soil moisture is required for normal development of the wheat plant at all stages of growth. The crown root initiation stage and heading stage are critical stage when plant suffers most weeds emerge with the crop and if not controlled in the early stage of growth there may cause reduction in yield varying from 10-40% depending upon the intensity and stage of weed infestation, plant protection through diseases and insects. Some common diseases attack wheat such as stem rust, leaf rust, loose smut, seedling blight and powdery mildew. These diseases are carried by insects such as stem borer, termite, aphid, cut worm, etc. In Bangladesh, wheat is grown during the dry winter months from November to March (Rabi season). The yield of wheat in the farmer's field is much lower than that of the research farm. The farmers usually are exposed to various forms of communication media to collect necessary information. Different research studies revealed that farmers prefer interpersonal information sources, group approach and mass media to receive information. Miah and Halim, (1992) found that the small farmers preferred interpersonal communication sources to get their necessary information (Ali et al., 2022; Bedada et al., 2024). 

The medium farmers preferred individual and group media while the rich farmers preferred individual, group and mass media sources of information. In Bangladesh weather, climate and soil are very suitable for wheat cultivation but due to lack of use of appropriate practices, farmers are not able to raise potential high yields. Important information at the right time related to wheat production is the key factor for the farmers in adopting improved technologies. Knowledge of communication behavior of wheat farmers is essential for transferring improved techno-logies for increasing the yield of wheat. But the communication behavior of the wheat growers is not clearly defined as per the content of average yield of wheat most of the wheat growers are not knowledgeable to adopt improved technologies for increasing wheat production. In order to expand wheat growers' knowledge and skill it is necessary to increase communication behavior regarding wheat cultivation of the growers. The progressive wheat growers with maximum communication behavior are the most active actors who generally play a crucial role in the transformation of information. Very few researches have been conducted on the farmers' communication behaviors of wheat growers.

Statement of the Problem

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Bangladesh next to rice. The importance of the cultivation of this crop is increasingly recognized by the implement as of agricultural extension programs as well as policy makers. The government of Bangladesh is promoting the extent of cultivation and production of this crop through various projects. As a high value crop, wheat has much potentiality for widespread cultivation. But before undertaking any massive program for its increased cultivation in Bangladesh it is first necessary to know the existing situation of the communication behaviors of the growers of wheat in the most potential areas of Bangladesh. The Faridpur region is mostly well known for cultivation of wheal in this country. This is undoubtedly an educative process and it possible through improving the communication behavior of the wheat growers of that region concerned mainly with increasing agricultural production and improving living standards of the farmers (Ali et al., 2022). Exposure to information pertaining to different aspects of wheat production is very essential for the wheat growers found, "Contact with information is a pre-condition to receive inform-ation and the use of technology in real situation". Technology, generation and its adoption are very much of paramount importance for successful wheat cultivation. To expand the cultivation of this crop in other parts of the country, the communication behavior regarding wheat cultivation of the present wheat growers in this region would significantly contributory to design appropriate programs for its widespread cultivation. In this regard, the answers to the following questions will be very much pertinent:

1. What is the extent of use of communication media by the wheat growers?
2. What arc the selected characteristics of the wheat growers?
3. What relationships exist between the farmers selected characteristics and their communication behavior for cultivation of wheat?

These questions obviously inspired the researcher for conducting a research study entitled "Communication behavior of wheat growers of Ambikapur Union under Faridpur District."

Specific objectives of the study

1. To determine the extent use of communication media by the wheat growers of selected area.
2. To determine and describe the selected characteristics of the wheat growers. The characteristics are – Age, Education, Family size, Farm size, Annual income, Organizational participation, Cosmo politeness, Attitude towards wheat cultivation, Innovativeness, Knowledge on wheat cultivation.
3. To explore the relationship between selected characteristics of wheat growers and their communication behavior.

Statement of Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a proposition which can be put to a test to determine its velocity. It may seem contrary into, or in accord which common sense. It may prove to be correct or incorrect. In any event, however, it leads to an empirical test. The following hypothesis is formulated lo explore the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The major research hypothesis for the study is: there is relationship between communication behavior of the wheat growers and their selected characteristics including age, level of education, family size, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, cosmopoliteness, and attitude towards wheal cultivation, innovativeness and knowledge of wheat cultivation. The research hypothesis was converted into null form for the purpose of statistical testing. The major null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between communication behavior of the wheat growers and their selected characteristics. Eleven null hypotheses were formulated dealing with each of the selected characteristics.

Material and Methods

Methodology would be enabling the researcher to collect valid information. It is impossible to conduct research work smoothly without proper methodology and it is very difficult to address the objectives with a scientific manner. It requires a very careful consideration on the part of the researcher to collect valid and reliable data and to analyze the same for meaningful conclusion.  A sequential description of the methodologies followed in conducting this research work has been presented in this chapter.

Locale of the study

The study was conducted in the Ambikapur Union of Faridpur Sadar Upazilla wider Faridpur District. This union is situated 6 km north from Faridpur District head quarter. Ouldi Goubindhapur, Shovarampur, Vashanchar and Komorpur village wider Ambikapur union of Faridpur Sadr Upazilla were selected purposively as the locale of the study. Maps of Faridpur Sadr Upazilla showing the study area are presented. Average literacy rate of Faridpur Sadar Upazilla is 34.2%; male 40.7%, female 27. 1%.

Sample size

Wheat growers of Duldi Goubindhapur, Shovarampur, and Vashanchar and Komorpur village under Ambikapur union constituted the population of the study. An update list of 1069 wheat growers from the selected village was prepared with the help of Sub Assistant Agricultural Officer of these villages. 

Ten (10) percent of the population was randomly selected as the sample of the study by using random sampling method. Thus 107 wheat growers constituted the sample of the study. A reserve list of 15 wheat growers was also prepared by the same method so that the respondents of this list could be used for interview if the respondents included in the original sample were not available at the time of data collection. The distribution of the population sample and number of wheat growers in the reserve list are given in Table 1.

Table 1: Distribution of the population sample and number of wheat growers in the reserve list.

The Research Instrument

A well-structured interview schedule was developed based on the objectives of the study for collecting information. An interview schedule was constructed containing direct and simple questions in open for and close form keeping in view the dependent and independent variables. Appropriate scales were developed to measure both independent and dependent variables. The interview schedule was pre-tested with ten wheat growers in actual situation before finalized it for collection of data. Necessary corrections, additions, alternations rearrangements and adjustments were made in the interview schedule based on pretest experience. The interview schedule was then applied by printing in its final form.

Data Collection Procedure

The researcher himself collected the data by interview schedule from the sample respondents through personal contact. Whenever any respondent faced difficulty in understanding questions, more attention was taken to explain the same with a view to enabling the wheat growers to answer properly. No serious problem was faced by the investigator during data collection but obtained cooperation from the respondents.

Measurement of variables 

The variable is a characteristic, which can assume varying, or different values in successive individual cases. A research work usually contains at least two important variables viz. independent and dependent variables. An independent variable is that factor which is manipulated by the researcher in his attempt to ascertain its relationship to an observed phenomenon. A dependent variable is that factor which appears, disappears or varies as the researcher introduces or varies the independent variable. In the scientific research the selection and measurement of variable constitute a significant task. Following this conception, the researcher reviewed literature to widen this understanding about the natures and scopes of the variables relevant to this research. 

At last he had selected 10 independent variables and one dependent variable. The independent variables were age, level of education, family size, farm size, annual income, and organizational participation, and cosmopoliteness, attitude towards wheat cultivation, innovativeness and knowledge of wheat cultivation. The dependent variable of this study was the Communication Behavior of Wheat Growers of Ambikapur Union under Faridpur District the methods and procedures in measuring these variables are presented below:

Measurement of independent variables

The 10 characteristics of the respondents wheat growers mentioned above constitute the independent variables of this study. The following procedures were followed for measuring the independent variables.

Age

Age of a respondent wheat grower was measured by the period of time from their birth to the time of interview and it was measured in terms of complete years on the basis of their response. A score of one (1) was assigned for each year age.

Level of education

Level of education was measured in terms of grades (class) passed by respondent wheat growers. If a respondent received education outside the school, their education was assessed inters of year of schooling. One (1) score was given for one year of schooling. For example, if the respondent passed the final examination of class V, their education score was taken as 5.H the respondent had education outside school and the level of education was equivalent to that of class V of the school than his education score was taken as 5. Each illiterate person was given a score of zero. The respondent who cannot know how to read or write but able to sign only was given a score of "0.5".

Family size

The family size of a respondent was measured in terms of actual number of members in his/her family including himself/herself: spouse, children, brothers, sisters, parents and other person who jointly live and ate together during interviewing.

Farm size

Farm size of respondent referred to the total area of land on which his/her family carried out fanning operation, the area being in terms of full benefit his family. It was measured in hectares for each respondent using the following formula;

Where, 

FS = Farm size

F1 = Homestead area with pond

F2= Own land under own cultivation

F3 = Land given to others on share cropping in

F4 =Land taken from others on share cropping out

Fs = Land taken from others on mortgage

F6 = Growers

Annual income

The term annual income refers to the annual gross income of a respondent himself and the members of his/her family from different sources. It was expressed in taka. In measuring this variable, to new earning in taka of an individual respondent was converted into score. A score of one was given for every one thousand taka. The method of ascertaining income form involved two phases. Firstly, the yield of all crops in the preceding year was noted and converted into taka and income attained from livestock and fisheries sector. Secondly, non-agricultural sources of income included earning form business, service labor and other sources.

Organizational participation 

The score of organizational participation of the respondent was measured by adding all type of name of organizational participation with duration and it depends on the nature of their participation in different organizations. Following scores were assigned for nature of participation:

Nature of participation -

• No participation 
• Participation as ordinary member 
• Participation as executive member 
• Participation as president of secretary

The organizational participation seems ranged from 0-27 where 0 indicated no participation and 27 indicated very high organizational participation. Scores obtained for visits to each of the above eight categories of places were added together to get the cosmopoliteness score of a respondent Cosmopoliteness score of an individual could range from 0 to 32 where 0 indicated no cosmopoliteness and 32 indicated very high cosmopoliteness.

Attitude towards wheat cultivation

Attitude of wheat growers was measured through a Likcrt scale. Twelve statements on various aspects of wheat cultivation were asked to the growers. The number of positive items was equal to the number of negative items. The positive and negative items were arranged randomly in the schedule in order to achieve the real picture of attitude of the wheat growers. They were asked to inflate for each of the statements, whether they "strongly agree", "agree", "no opinion. "Disagree" and "strongly disagree" with a corresponding score 2, l, 0, -1 and -2, respectively. The attitude score of a wheat grower was compared by summing the scores for his responses to all the items. Hence, scores of the wheat growers could range from -24 to + 24; -24 indicating highly negative attitude and +24 indicate highly favorable attitudes towards wheat cultivation.

Innovativeness

Innovativeness is the degree to which an individual adopts an innovation relatively earlier than other members in asocial system. Here, innovativeness of a respondent was measured on the basis of the adoption of 12 agricultural technologies by the respondents. The score was assigned on the basis of  time  dimension  which  means  actual  number  of  years  through  which a respondent  used  the  technology  continuously. Thus, the innovativeness score of a respondent was obtained by adding his scores for all the twelve items and it could range from 0 to 48 where 0 indicating no innovativeness and 48 indicating high innovativeness.

Knowledge on wheat cultivation 

Knowledge on wheat cultivation referred to the knowledge gained by the wheat growers in wheat cultivation. Twenty questions on different aspect of wheat cultivation related to varieties, soil, fertilizer, insect pest, disease and cultural practices were asked to the wheat growers to ascertain their knowledge score. The score was assigned as 2 for full correct answer and zero (0) for incorrect or no answer for each question. Partial score 1 was assigned for partial answers. Thus agricultural knowledge scores of the respondents could range from 0 to 40 where zero (0) indicated very low and 40 indicated very high knowledge on wheat cultivation.

Measurement of dependent variable

Communication behavior of wheat growers of Ambikapur Union Wider Faridpur District was the dependent variable of this study. The procedure for measuring the dependent variable was as follows: The researcher selected two broad communication media namely, interpersonal media contact and mass media contact comprising of eighteen media in total. The researcher selected the following media of information for studying communication behavior of the wheat growers: 

Interpersonal media contact: Local leaders 1 neighbors, field day, SAAO, Upazilla Agriculture Officer, Agricultural Extension Officer, NGO workers, Group discussion, result demonstration, seed/fertilizer dealer and participation in agricultural training course. 

Mass media: Poster, leaflet, radio, television, news-paper, agricultural related books, magazines and agricultural fair. So, communication behavior score was measured by adding interpersonal media contact score mass contact score. 

Use of communication media: The communication behavior of the wheat growers were measured on the basis of their opinions regarding the extent of use of interpersonal media contact and mass media contact in receiving information on wheat cultivation during the immediate past year. Hence, the use of each of the eighteen communication media was first ascertained by computing their using score. A four point scale was used to compute the communication behavior. Then the communication behavior score of a respondent for the eighteen media were added together to ascertain his total score in communicating in wheat cultivation. 1nthis regard weight was assigned to each of the four types of responses provided.

Thus, the communication behavior score of a respondent could range from 0 to 72 where 0 indicate no communication and 72 indicate very high communication behavior in receiving information regarding wheat cultivation.

Hypothesis of the study

In the present study the following null hypotheses were formulated: There are no relationships between l 0 selected characteristics and communication behavior of wheat growers of Ambikapur Union under Faridpur District.

Collection and processing of data 

The investigator himself collected data on the basis of objectives to test the hypothesis. For data processing and analysis the following steps followed:

Compilation of data

After completion of field survey all the interview schedule were compiled, tabulated and analyzed according to the objectives of the study. In this process all the responses in the interview schedule were given numerical coded values. The responses to the question in the interview schedule were transferred to a master sheet to facilitate tabulation. Tabulation was done on the basis of categories developed by the investigator himself. 

Categorization of respondents

For describing the various independent and dependent variables the respondents were classified into various categories, in developing categories the researcher was guided by the nature of data and general consideration prevailing on the social system. The procedures have been discussed while describing the variable in the sub-sequent sections of next chapter.

Data analysis 

Data collected from the respondents were complied, coded, tabulated and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. Various statistical measures such as frequency counts, percentage distribution. average, and standard deviation were used in des-cribing data. SPSS (version 11.5) computer program was used for analyzing the data the categories and tables were used in describing data. The categories and tables were also used in presenting data for better understanding. For determining the association of the selected characteristics of the wheat growers with the communication behavior Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used. Five percent (0.05) level of probability was used as the basis for rejecting any null hypothesis. In order to find out the relationship between the selected dependent and independent variables correlation co-efficient was done.

It is chapter deals with the findings that were recorded in accordance with the objective of the study with the help of an interview schedule with interpretation. The chapter content in three (3) sections. The first section deals with the characteristics of the wheat growers. The second section deals with the communication behavior of the wheat growers. The third section deals with the relationship between individual characteristics of the wheat growers with their communication behavior regarding wheat cultivation.

Characteristics of the wheat growers

An individual possesses various interrelated char-acteristics of the wheat growers were collected under the present study. 1t was therefore, hypothesized that the characteristics of the wheat growers would have an effect on communication behavior in wheat cultivation. However, the 10 selected salient features of the wheat growers such as age, level of education, family size, farm size, annual income, Organizational  participation, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards wheat cultivation, innovativeness and knowledge of wheat cultivation that greatly influences on communication behavior of wheat growers that are presented below -

Age

The age of the wheat growers ranged from 24 to 80 with a mean and standard deviation of 52.85 and 14.60 respectively. Considering the observed age of the wheat growers were classified into three categories namely 'young, 'middle' and 'old' aged. The distribution on accordance of their age the respondents' wheat growers are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Distribution of the wheat growers according to their age.

Table 2 indicates that the old aged wheat growers comprise the highest proportion (61.68 percent) followed by middle aged category (26.17 percent) and the lowest proportion were made by the young aged category (12.15 percent). Dara also indicates that the middle and old aged wheat growers constitute about 87.85 of the respondents. The older and middle aged farmers were generally tended to involve in wheat cultivation than the younger. Probably middle and old aged person were involved with wheat cultivation because the production method of wheat is easier with minimum risk.

Level of education 

The level of educational scores of the respondent's wheat growers ranged from 0 to 16 with a mean and standard deviation of 6.36 and 3.99, respectively. Based on their educational scores, the wheat growers were classified into four categories such as 'illiterate' (0), 'primary education' (1 to 5), 'secondary education' (6 to 10), higher secondary and above (above 10). The distribution of the wheat growers according to their level of education has been presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Distribution of the wheat growers according to their level of education.

Table 3 shows that wheat growers under 'secondary education category constitute the highest proportion (43.93 percent) compared to 26.17 percent 'primary level category and 15.89 percent illiterate level category. On the other band the lowest 14.02 percent were above secondary level. Education broadens the horizon of outlook of wheat growers and expands their capability to analyze any situation related to pro-duction. It was found that appreciable proportions (57.95 percent) of the wheat growers were secondary to higher secondary level educated. Because this area is developed both in education and cultural activities and the situation might appear to be appreciable in a usual background of the Bangladesh. Educational institutions of Faridpur Sadar Upazilla are government college 4, non-government college 9, government high school 2, non-government high school 38, government primary school 102, non-government primary school 39, madrasa 39, medical college l, homeopathy medical college 1, river research institute l, technical and vocational 2, PTI 1. An educated fanner is likely to be more responsive to the modem facts, ideas, techno-logy and information of wheat cultivation. To adjust with the same, they would be vulnerable to adopt as well as invo1ve with modern cultural, processing and storage facilities. About 84 percent respondents were educated in Faridpur Sadar upazilla. This is the exceptional situation in Bangladesh. This is why the agricultural production especially wheat rate is higher in Faridpur Sadar Upazilla than the other upazilla of Bangladesh.

Family Size 

Family size of the respondents ranged from 2 to 8 with the mean and standard deviation of 4.09 and 1.69, respectively. According to family size the respondents were classified into three ca1egories viz. ‘small family', 'medium family' and 'large family'. The distribution of the respondents according to their family size is presented in Table 4.

 Table 4: Distribution of the respondents according to their family size.

Data in Table 4 indicate that the small family constitute the highest proportion (61.68 percent) followed by the medium family (36.45 percent). Only 1.87 percent respondents had large family size. Such finding is quite normal as per the situation of Bangladesh. Table 4 also showed that average family size of the respondents was lower than that of national average of 5.4 (BBS, 2008). Probable reason of small family is to maintaining small family due to higher education.

Farm size 

The farm size of the respondent's farmer family ranged from 0.18 hectare to 3.80 hectare with a mean and standard deviation of 1.39 and 1.15, respectively. 

Table 5: Distribution of the wheat growers according to their farm size.

Based on their farm size, the respondents were classified into four categories following the categorization followed  by  DAE, (1999). These  categories were marginal farm holder (below 0.2 ha), small farm holder (0.201 to 1.0 ha), medium  farm holder (1.01 to 2.0 ha) and large farm bolder (above 2.0 ha. The distribution of the wheat growers according to their farm size categories has been presented in Table 5.

Table 5 indicates that the small farm holder constitute the highest proportion 36.45 percent followed by 31.78 percent with large farm holder and the lowest 14.95 percent marginal farm holder and followed by 16.82 percent medium farm wheat growers. The findings of the study reveal that majority of the wheat growers were medium to large sized farm bolder because medium sized farmers involved with other crop cultivation. The average farm size of the rural farmer family of 1.39 hectares was higher than that of national average of 0.78 hectares in Bangladesh (BBS, 2008).

Annual income 

Annual income of the respondents ranged from 42 to 363 thousand taka with a mean and standard deviation of 86710 and 4114203, respectively. On the basis of their annual income, the wheat growers were classified into three categories viz. low, medium and high family income. The distribution of the wheat growers according to the annual income categories. Data revealed that the wheat growers having medium income constitute the highest proportion (72.90 percent) followed by low annual income (15.89 percent) and high annual income (11.21 percent). Medium income level constitutes the highest percentage because  their annual  income  level  within 80.000 to 120,000. Income of an individual allows him to invest more in agricultural production as well as taking risks involved in adoption of new technologies.

Organizational participation 

Organizational participation score of the respondent wheat growers ranged from 8 to 25 with a mean and standard deviation of l6.9l and 4.25, respectively. According to organizational participation the respondents were classified into three categories viz. 'Low level participation, 'medium level participation and 'high level participation, on the basis of their observed scores. The distribution of the wheat growers according to organizational participation. Data indicates that the medium levels organizational participation constitutes the highest proportion (46.73 percent) followed by high level participation (42.06 percent) and low level participation (11.21 percent). The maximum percentage of respondents is the category of the group of high to medium level organizational participation (88.79 percent). High organizational participation reveals that the wheat growers of this area have more participation in the different place within their locality. More organizational participation could create opportunity for changing attitude towards use of improved technology for wheat production.

Cosmopoliteness 

The cosmopoliteness of the respondent's wheat growers ranged from 0 to 29 with a mean and standard deviation of 11.07 and 6.48, respectively. Based on their cosmopoliteness score, the respondents were  classified  into three categories. These  categories  were  low,  medium  and  high.  The  distribution  of  the cosmopoliteness indicates that the wheat growers have low cosmopoliteness category constitute the highest proportion (46.73 percent) followed by medium cosmopoliteness (43.93 percent) and high cosmopoliteness category (9.35 percent). Lowest cosmopoliteness of the locality indicates that the respondents visit different area with minimum frequency although they have high organizational participation. The maximum percentage is the category of the group of low to medium cosmopoliteness group.

Attitude towards wheat cultivation 

Table 6: Distribution of the wheat growers according to attitude towards wheat cultivation.

The scores of attitude towards wheat cultivation of the respondents ranged from 2 to 15 with an average of 7.39 and standard deviation of 3.07. Based on the observed individual scores, the respondents were classified into the three categories i.e. low attitude, medium attitude and high attitude. The distribution has been shown in the Table 6.

About (66.36 percent) of the respondents had medium attitude towards wheat cultivation, while 18.69 percent had Low attitude and 14.95 percent had high attitude. The attitude towards wheat cultivation of wheat growers indicates that the respondents of the study area had positive attitude towards wheat cultivation.

Innovativeness 

The maximum innovativeness score of the respondents was 448 and the minimum was 8. However, the average was 18.72 and the standard deviation was 7.75. Based on their innovativeness scores, the respondents were classified into three categories: low innovativeness", «medium innovativeness" and "high innovativeness". The distribution of the respondents according to their innovativeness is shown in Table 7.

 Table 7: Distribution of the wheat growers according to their innovativeness.

Data contained in Table 7 indicate that the highest proportion (58.88 percent) of the wheat growers had medium innovativeness as compared to 32.71 percent low innovativeness and only 8.41 percent in high innovativeness. Data also revealed that majority (91.59 percent) of the respondent growers of the study area had low to medium level of innovativeness. It may also be concluded that all the respondent growers of the study area had the innovativeness. These two results would help the extension planners to chalk out future extension program for transfer of technologies to the potential wheat growers.

Knowledge on wheat cultivation 

Knowledge of wheat cultivation score of respondent wheat growers could range from  l J  to 38. The mean  and standard  deviation of agricultural  knowledge was 18.93 and 6.78. respectively. On the basis of knowledge scores. the respondents were classified into three categories namely, 'poor knowledge', 'moderate knowledge' and 'sound knowledge'. The distribution of the respondents according to their agricultural knowledge is given in Table 8.

Table 8: Distribution of the wheat growers according to their knowledge on wheat cultivation.

Data of Table 8 reveals that majority (60.75 percent) of the respondents felt in moderate knowledge category followed by 28.04 percent in poor knowledge category and on y 11.21 percent in sound knowledge category. Knowledge is to be considered as vision of an explanation in any aspect of the situation regarding wheat cultivation. It is act or state of understanding; clear perception of met or truth, that helps an individual to foresee the consequence he may have to face in future. It makes individuals to become rational and conscious about related field. To perform optimum production, wheat growers should have adequate knowledge on different aspects of it the findings of the present study reveal that 60.75 percent of the wheat growers in the study area had moderate knowledge on wheat cultivation.

Dependent Variable 

Communication behavior of wheat growers was measured using two broad communication media namely, interpersonal media contact and mass media contact comprising of 18 statements for each area. Communication behavior score of a respondent was determined by adding all the statements. Thus communication behavior score below 25 indicate low communication behavior; 25-50 indicate medium communication behavior and above 50 indicate high communication behavior. 

The average wheat grower communication behavior score was 33.21 with standard deviation 13.27. Among the respondents the highest 51.40 percent wheat growers belongs to the group of medium level communication behavior group followed by 32.71 percent in low level communication behavior group and 15.89 percent in high communication behavior group. Among the respondent wheat growers total 67.29 percent respondents' wheat growers have medium to high level communication behavior group in wheat cultivation.

Relationship of the selected characteristics of wheat growers with the innovativeness in adoption of technology 

Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient was computed in order to find out the extent of relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables. To reject or accept the null hypothesis at 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability was used. A statistically significant and non-significant relationship was observed when the computed value or "r" was greater or smaller than the tabulated value, respectively.

Age VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Age of the wheat growers had no relationship with their communication behavior. The computed 'r' value is much lower than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was not rejected Large majority of the respondents were old (62 percent). It reveals clearly that their age did not influence the communication bebav1or of the respondents.

Level of education VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Level   of  education   of   the   wheat   growers   had   relationships  with  their communication behavior. The computed  'r' value is higher than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was rejected Large majority of the respondents were secondary level educated (44 percent). It reveals clearly that their education level influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Family size VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Family size of the wheat growers had no relationship with their communication behavior. The computed ‘r' value is much lower than of  the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was not rejected Large majority  of the respondents  were small  family (62  percent). It reveals clearly that their family size did not influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Farm size VS communication behavior of the wheat growers 

Farm size of the wheat growers had no relationship with their communication behavior. The computed 'r ' value is much lower than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was not rejected large majority of the respondents were small category (36 percent). It reveals clearly that their farm size did not influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Annual income VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Annual income of the wheat growers had relationship with their communication behavior. The computed ‘r' value is higher than of  the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was rejected Large majority of the respondents were medium level annual income group (73 percent). It reveals clearly that their annual income influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Organizational participation VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Organizational participation of the wheat growers had relationship with their communication behavior. The comf1U1ed 'r' value is higher than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was rejected. Large majority of the respondents were medium organization participation (47 percent). It reveals clearly that their organizational participation influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Cosmopoliteness VS communication behavior of the wheat growers

Cosmopoliteness   of   the   wheat   growers   had   no   relationship   with   their communication behavior. The computed 'r' value is much lower than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is / his respect was not rejected Large majority of the respondents were low cosmopoliteness group (47 percent). It reveals clearly that their cosmopoliteness did not influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Attitude towards wheat cultivation VS communic-ation behavior of the wheat growers

Attitude towards wheat cultivation of the wheat growers had relationships with their communication behavior. The computed 'r' value is higher 1han of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was rejected Large majority of the respondents were medium attitude level (66 percent). It reveals clearly that their Attitude towards wheat cultivation influence the communication behavior of the respondents

Innovativeness VS communication behavior of the wheat growers 

Innovativeness of the wheat growers had relationship with their communication behavior. The computed 'r ' value is higher than of the table value. Hence, null hypothesis is this respect was rejected large majority of the respondents were medium innovativeness (59 percent). It reveals clearly that their innovativeness influence the communication behavior of the respondents.

Knowledge on wheat cultivation VS communication behavior of the wheat growers 

Knowledge on wheat cultivation of the wheat growers had relationship with their communicate ion behavior. The computed 'r ' value is higher than of the table value. Hence null hypothesis is this respect was rejected. Large majority of the respondents were poor knowledge level (61 percent). Tt reveals clearly that their knowledge on wheat cultivation influence the communication behavior of the respondents. Level of education, annual income, organizational participation, attitude towards wheat cultivation, innovativeness and knowledge on wheat cultivation bad significant positive relationships with communication behavior of wheat growers. Age, family size and cosmopoliteness had non-significant positive relationships  and farm size with communication behavior of wheat grower.

The study was conducted in the Ambikapur union of Faridpur Sadar Upazilla under Faridpur District this union is situated 6 km north from Faridpur District head quarter. Duldi Goubindhapur, Shovarampur, Vashanchar and Komorpur village under Ambikapur union of Faridpur Sadr Upazilla selected purposively as the locale of the study. Wheat growers of Dulcti Goubindhapur, Shovarampur, Vashanchar and Komorpur village under Ambikapur union constituted the population of the study. An update list of l069 wheat growers from the selected village was prepared with the help of Sub-Assistant Agricultural Officer of these localities. Ten (10) percent of the population was randomly selected as the sample of the study by using random sampling method. Thus, 107 wheat growers constituted the sample of the study. A well-structured interview schedule was developed based on objectives of the study for collecting information. The researcher himself collected data through personal contact. The independent variables were: age, level of education, family size, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards wheat cultivation, innovativeness and knowledge of wheat cultivation. Various statistical measures such as frequency counts, percentage contribution, average, and standard deviation were used in describing data. Co-efficient of correlation test was used to explore relationship between the concerned variables. The major findings of the study are summarized below:

On the basis of experience, observation and conclusions drawn from the findings of the study following recommendations arc made: 

• Among the respondents, about 67 percent have medium to high level communication behavior in wheat cultivation. In order to increase their level of communication  behavior  in  wheat  cultivation  the DAE may arrange training for the wheat growers. 
• Among the respondent wheat growers about 42 percent falls in the group of below secondary level education. So it is necessary to increase their education level through ensuring access to educational facilities. 
• About 73 percent wheat grower's bad medium level annual income. Highest annual income allows him to invest more in agricultural production as well as taking risks so it is necessary to take appropriate program to increase their annual income. 
• About 89 percent farmers had medium level organizational participation, which is not bad but to hold the current level of organizational participation. Nevertheless, motivational pro-gram is needed which may be chalked out by DAE. 
• An overwhelming majority (66 percent) of the respondents had medium level attitude. ln order to change their attitude towards wheat cultivation, training and motivational  programs  have  to  be  undertaken by  DAE  and  other  related organizations.

M.K.U.: Conceptualization, methodology, writing the manuscript. M.Z.H.; and M.H.B.: Contributed in data analysis, and supervision. S.K.S.; R.A. and M.S.C.: Finally checked the manuscript and editing, Data Curation, Funding acquisition, and Formal Analysis. All authors who are involved in this research read and approved the manuscript for publication.

We acknowledge Mr. Md. Shakhawat Hossain for his kind support in conducting our whole research activities.

There are no potential conflicts of interest.