English

Abstract

Improved slow bolting lettuce variety is one of the important traits of lettuce for farmers in the study area to increase their production and income. Therefore a field experiment was conducted in Enderta district of South eastern zone of Tigray with the objective to evaluate and demonstrate the slow bolting lettuce variety, enhance the income of farmers by increasing production and productivity, and participate farmers research group in evaluation and demonstration of varieties. Improved (Tesfa Mekelle) and local (Paris Island) lettuce varieties were used as treatment for demonstration. 20 farmers were selected which have access to irrigation and willingness to participate. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. To measure the attitude of farmers towards the improved technology, a five-point Likert scale method was used. The data was analyzed using appropriate soft ware. To calculate the gap analysis; technology gap and technology index were used. The results revealed that farmers obtained an average of 412.89 and 283.83 qt ha-1 biomass yield of lettuce from improved and local varieties, respectively. This can clearly show that farmers can increase their lettuce yield and income by 45.5and 79.5% using the improved variety, respectively. Based on the farmers perception, the study also showed that farmers were satisfied in all parameters of improved lettuce like adaptability, slow bolting, marketability, tasty, softness of leaves and productivity. Therefore, research center and the offices of agriculture and rural development of the respective districts should take the lead to further popularization the variety for their respective mandate areas to boost production and productivity of lettuce.   Keywords: On farm demonstration, improved lettuce, yield, farmers perception.