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Field Performance Evaluation of BARI Self-propelled Reaper for Paddy and Wheat

M A Matin
Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Post harvest Process Engineering Division Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gazipur-1701

K C Roy
Chief Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Post harvest Process Engineering Division Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gazipur-1701

M Nurul Amin
Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Post harvest Process Engineering Division Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gazipur-1701

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

BARI has developed a self-propelled reaper in 2004-2005 for quick and cost effective harvesting of paddy and wheat. The reaper was tested in farmers' fields in Jessore, Savar, Jamalpur and Kishoreganj. Most of the farmers of Jessore site were satisfied with the performance of the reaper. But, many of them did not like to collect and tye in bundles. Farmers' of Kishoreganj and Jamalpur sites liked the machine very much. They use mechanical threshers for threshing and didn,t have problem of collecting and tying bundles after reaper harvesting. Total 1.82 hectare of aman paddy in Kishoreganj, 0.60 hectare of wheat in Jessore, 2.83 hectare of triticale in Savar and 3.24 hectare of boro paddy in Jamalpur and Kishoreganj were harvested during 2005-2006. The average field capacities of the reaper were 0.17 ha/h for paddy and 0.19 ha/h for wheat. Total harvesting costs (fuel, oil, labour, depreciation and interest) were Tk. 392 and Tk. 261 per ha, respectively for paddy and wheat against manual harvesting cost of Tk. 1500 per ha. During the boro season of 2006, all the fields in Kishoreganj site were submerged by water. Paddy fields with 10 cm of stagnant water could be harvested by the reaper.

Keywords: Paddy, reaper, self-propelled, field capacity, wheat

Location: Jessore, Savar, Jamalpur and Kishoreganj

Start Date: 01.07.2003

End Date: 30.06.2006

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity:

Objectives:

(i)To evaluate the field performance of the reaper (ii)To modify the reaper, if needed

Methodology:

BARI self-propelled (SP) reaper was developed by FMPE division of BARI in 2004-2005. It is a vertical conveyor reaper, operated by a 4.4 hp diesel engine. It has a cutting width of 1.2 metre and is suitable for harvesting paddy and wheat. It cuts crops and lays it in windrows to be collected and tied in bundles. In the year 2004-05, imported Chinese cutter bar was used. In 2005-06, cutting blades were made in divisional workshop with carbon steel sheet available in Dhaka to test the performance of the blades. Only the cutting blades of the Chinese cutter bar were replaced by the new blades. In the year 2005-2006, the field performance of BARI SP reaper was tested for harvesting aman paddy in Kishoreganj, wheat in Jessore, and boro paddy in Jamalpur and Kishoreganj. Before taking the machine for field test, its performance was tested in Taratpara village, Joydebpur, Gazipur for harvesting aman paddy.The sites were selected depending on acreage and availability of threshers. It was observed from the last year's demonstration that the reaper is particularly suitable for the farmers of the areas practicing mechanical threshing, particularly closed drum threshers. One-day demonstration is not effective for proper understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of a machine both for farmers and the researchers. So, demonstration of 3-12 days duration was conducted depending on the farmers' demand. Data were collected on the field performance and breakdown during operation. Fuel cost was collected from the one site. During block demonstration, power tiller operator and other interested farmers were trained in reaper operation. A field day was arranged in Jessore where performance and possible improvements were discussed with farmers.

Source of Information: Research Report

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The performance of the BARI Self-propelled reaper was found good during the one year study period. It is a novel technology for quick harvesting of paddy and wheat and to reduce the harvesting cost. Few problems were faced during the field operation, all of which were solved except belt slippage in deep water. This problem will be solved in the next year. The reaper is a new and the most complex machine to the farmers. Its performance largely depends on the operator's skill of operation and the knowledge of on- the-field trouble shooting/adjustment. Wide block demonstration, on the field practical training, continuous monitoring and supervision can help to disseminate and make the technology sustainable. The reaper should be widely demonstrated among the farmers who use mechanical threshers, particularly closed drum threshers, for threshing paddy and wheat.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings, Booklet/Leaflet