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Upscalling and Adoption of Hybrid Dryer for Quality Grain Seed Production

Dr. Md. Ayub Hossian
Principal Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Gazipur

Dr. Md. Shirazul Islam
Director Research (PRL)
BARI, Gazipur

Dr. Md. Altab Hossian
Chief Scientific Officer
Agronomy Division, BARI, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A hybrid seed dryer (combination of solar energy and electric energy) was designed and constructed at Farm Machinery and Post-harvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur. The technical performance of the dryer was tested for drying of grain seeds and seed quality was evaluated during the period of 2010-2011. The reflected solar radiation was 53% of global solar radiation. The thermal efficiency of the collector was 28.73%. The dryer was tested for drying of paddy, wheat, maize and groundnut. Time required for drying of 250-300 kg of paddy, 250 kg of wheat, 350 kg of maize and 200 kg groundnut were found to be 17, 12, 16 and 20 hours, respectively. There were no significant differences in drying rates between top and bottom layers (12 cm depth) of paddy seeds. The dryer was tested and its field performance was evaluated in Jessore, Rajshshi and Dinajpur during the period of 2010-2011. Three dryers were fabricated and installed at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jessore; Regional Wheat Research Centre, Rajshshi and Wheat Research Centre, Dinajpur. In all the locations, paddy seeds were dried. The field performance of the dryer was found satisfactory in terms of drying rate and seed quality. The benefit cost ratios (BCR) for drying of paddy seeds on variable and total cost basis were 1.47 and 1.40, respectively. The pay back period of the dryer was 0.44 year. Major portion of energy used in hybrid dryer was solar energy and it is environment friendly.

Keywords: Hybrid seed dryer, Solar energy, Performance, Solar radiation

Location: Gazipur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Jessore

Start Date:

End Date: 17-05-2011

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Performance evaluation

Objectives:

i.To make modification of the existing hybrid dryer suitable for grain seeds drying ii.To evaluate the technical performance of the dryer and test the seed quality iii.To test and demonstrate the dryers in the farmers’ field iv.To disseminate the dryer among the seed growers and traders through training and workshop

Methodology:

This project was combinely carried out by Farm Machinery and Post-harvest Process Engineering Division and Seed Technology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701. Farm Machinery Post-harvest Process Engineering Division was the leading organization and Seed Technology Division was the collaborative organization. The duration of the project was two years. First year was R&D phase and second year was the dissemination phase. Engineering aspects of the dryer i.e. design, drawing, fabrication and performance tests were carried out in Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Divisional workshop and seed quality was evaluated in Seed Technology Division. The hybrid dryer was fabricated at Farm Machinery and Post-harvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) using the workshop and technical manpower facilities during 2009-10. This dryer also was tested in the laboratory using the laboratory facilities. Seed quality was tested in the Seed Technology laboratory using the laboratory facilities of Seed Technology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Field level tests on grain seeds drying were conducted during 2010-2011. Three seed dryers were fabricated and installed in Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jessore, Regional Wheat Research Centre, Rajshahi and Wheat Research Centre, Dinajpur. The seed dryers were demonstrated to the farmers and small seed traders. During the field level tests, local Department of Agricultural Extension, BADC and Seed Testing Agency were included. This project was combinely carried out by Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division and Seed Technology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701. The hybrid dryer was fabricated at Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) using the workshop and technical manpower facilities during 2009-10. This dryer also was tested in the laboratory using the laboratory facilities. Seed quality was tested in the Seed Technology laboratory using the laboratory facilities of Seed Technology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Field level tests on grain seeds drying were conducted during 2010-2011. Three seed dryers were fabricated and installed in Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jessore, Regional Wheat Research Centre, Rajshahi and Wheat Research Centre, Dinajpur. The seed dryers were demonstrated to the farmers and small seed traders. During the field level tests, local Department of Agricultural Extension, BADC and Seed Testing Agency were included.

Source of Information:

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) : 1800821

Achievement/Findings:

The reflected solar radiation was 53% of global solar radiation. The thermal efficiency of the collector was 28.73%. The dryer was tested for drying of paddy, wheat, maize and groundnut. Time required for drying of 250-300 kg of paddy, 250 kg of wheat, 350 kg of maize and 200 kg groundnut were found to be 17, 12, 16 and 20 hours, respectively. There were no significant differences in drying rates between top and bottom layers (12 cm depth) of paddy seeds. The dryer was tested and its field performance was evaluated in Jessore, Rajshshi and Dinajpur during the period of 2010-2011. Three dryers were fabricated and installed at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jessore; Regional Wheat Research Centre, Rajshshi and Wheat Research Centre, Dinajpur. In all the locations, paddy seeds were dried. The field performance of the dryer was found satisfactory in terms of drying rate and seed quality. The benefit cost ratios (BCR) for drying of paddy seeds on variable and total cost basis were 1.47 and 1.40, respectively. The pay back period of the dryer was 0.44 year. Major portion of energy used in hybrid dryer was solar energy and it is environment friendly.

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