IJSAT: ISSN 1815-1272, Volume 9 Issue 6 2013 Title code: IJSAT/ 130603 17 Int. J. Sustain. Agril. Tech. 9(6):17-20, June 2013 An online Journal of “G-Science Implementation and Publication”, website: www.gurpukur.com or www.gscience.net PROFITABILITY OF LETTUCE CULTIVATION AROUND DHAKA CITY OF BANGLADESH MAHFUZA AFROJ 1 , M. S. RAHMAN 2 and MD. MAHFUZAR RAHMAN 3 1 Post-Graduate Student, Faculty of Agribusiness Management, Sher-e- Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Email: mahfuza.sau08@gmail.com, 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Management and Finance, Faculty of Agribusiness Management, Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Email: saadrhmn@yahoo.com and 3 MS Student, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Email: mahfuz.sau08@gmail.com ABSTRACT The present study was conducted in three villages namely Gazirchat, Hamayetpur and Jamgara at Savar upazilla under Dhaka district of Bangladesh during January-February, 2013 to estimate the profitability of lettuce cultivation. A total of 25 lettuce farmers were selected randomly for the study. Descriptive statistics along with regression analysis was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The cost of lettuce cultivation was found to be Tk ∗ . 145538 per hectare whereas the yield of lettuce was found 10887 kg per hectare. The gross margin was found to be Tk. 205284 per hectare. TSP had positive effect on the yield of lettuce while urea and MP had negative effect on yield. Lack of training, disease infestations were the major problems of lettuce cultivation in the survey area. Availability of good quality seed and proper technical knowledge can play a vital role to improve the lettuce production in the study area. Keywords: Input use pattern, Profitability and Gross margin. INTRODUCTION Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) is one of the most popular salad vegetable of the world and it belongs to Asteraceae family. It is leafy herb with milky juice crop. It produces a short term stem early in the season, a cluster of leaves varying considerably in shape, character and color in different varieties. Later a seed stock is produced (Ryder, 1979). It is mainly a cold loving crop. The best temperature range for lettuce cultivation is 18°C to 25°C and the night temperature is 10°C to 15°C (Ryder, 1998). The lettuce consumption in urban areas is increasing day by day. Lettuce is popular for its delicate, crispy, texture and slightly bitter taste as fresh condition. Lettuce is a fat free, low calorie food and is good for a well balanced diet. It is a valuable source of vitamin A and folic acid (Herbst, 2001). In Bangladesh, huge quantity of lettuce is used with fast food shop and in various star hotels as fresh vegetable like salad. Lettuce production is suitable during winter season in Bangladesh. Lettuce subsector has been already identified as one of the potential value chain to intervene. Few studies in home and abroad (Hill, 1999; Frantz, 2004; Moniruzzaman, 2006; Galinato et al., 2012) have been conducted on lettuce cultivation. But, no attempt has been made from any corner to undertaken the economic evaluation of lettuce production at farm level. Considering its economic important as to achieve the sustainable production. The objectives of the study are (i) to determine the cost and return of lettuce cultivation, (ii) to find out the factors affecting lettuce production and (iii) to find out the problems faced by the farmers during lettuce cultivation in the study area. METHODOLOGY Study area: The present study was conducted in three villages namely Gazirchat, Hamayetpur and Jamgara at Savar upazilla under Dhaka district of Bangladesh during January to February, 2013. Sample size and techniques: A total of 25 lettuce growers were selected by using random sampling technique for the study. ∗ US dollar ($) 1 = Taka (Tk) 79