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An Economic Assessment of Different Threshing Methods for Rice in Bangladesh

M.M. Alam
Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

M. Al-Amin
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

C.K.Sahal
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

M.l.N. Khan
Junior Consultant, EADS, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Threshing is one of the most important post harvest operation of grains. Along with Traditional threshing, mechanical threshing methods such as, Pedal threshing, Open-drum power threshing and Power threshing are being used in Bangladesh. ln this study different cost, capacities and ratios of the threshing methods were calculated and compared along with different economic and financial indicators to appraise financial profitability of these methods. Data were collected from a sample of 50 farmers of Barshanta village of Atrai Upazila under Naogaon District. Mean values of this data were used for various calculations in this study. The operating cost of Pedal threshing (30.173 Tk/hr) was found lower and followed by Power threshing (53.5 Tk/hr), Traditional threshing (84.67 Tk/hr) and Open-drum power threshing (122.09Tk/hr). The throughput capacity of Open-drum power threshing (1158.40 kg/hr) was found significantly higher in compare to other threshing methods and Traditional threshing (74.94 kg/hr) method appeared as lowest. The throughput cost of Power threshing (0.073 Tk/kg) and Pedal threshing (0.089 Tk/kg) were found almost same and appeared as economic. The throughput cost of Open-drum power threshing (0.112 Tk/kg) was found close to those throughputs cost and was significantly lower than Traditional threshing. The Benefit-Cost Ratio of Power threshing (1.4) was found highest followed by Pedal threshing (1.325), Open-drum power threshing (1 .228) and Traditional threshing (1.02). Gross Margin of Traditional threshing (63.05 Tk/hr) was found significantly greater and followed by Power threshing (35.96 Tk/hr), Open-drum power threshing (35.5 Tk/hr) and Pedal threshing (15.16 Tk/hr). Whereas, Net Margin of Open-drum power threshing (27.92Tk/hr) was found highest and Traditional threshing (2.13 Tk/hr) was lowest. The substitution proposition by partial budget analysis showed clear superiority of Open-drum power threshing over other threshing methods, and incurred net gains. Considering various costs ratios and financial indicators along with present socio-economic status and facilities available to farmers, Open-drum power threshing and Power threshing may have been considered as most promising threshing method for the farmers of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Threshing, Gross margin, Net margin, Partial budgeting

Location: Barshanta village of Atrai Upazila under Naogaon district.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Rice

Objectives:

To appraise the financial and economic impacts of different threshing methods in Bangladesh

Methodology:

The study was conducted in Barshanta village of Atrai Upazila under Naogaon district. The selected village is situated in the North-East part of the Atrai Upazila and having a distance about 7 km from Upazila headquarters. This site was selected because of availability of different type threshers and near from researchers study and working place. Existing threshing methods both traditional and mechanised are considered in this study. The common methods are: traditional threshing (beating and animal treading), pedal threshing, open-drum power threshing and power threshing. The threshers used in this area are most common models of Bangladesh and represent overall Bangladesh conditions. From the selected village, 136 farm families who had at least one thresher and cultivable landwere selected and constituted as the population of the study. Among them 35 percent of the farm families were selected as the sample of study using table of random number. An interview Schedule (lS) was prepared for the data collection. Necessary corrections, addition and alternations of lS were made after pretest using 10 percent (sample) farm families which were selected by Stratified Random Sampling Method. Then final lS was used for data collection from the selected farmers with the help friends and local leaders during 30 August to 10 September 1999. After completion of data collection the interview schedule was compiled, tabulated and analysed according to the objectives of the study. Local units were converted into standard units. The responses to the questions in the interview schedules were transferred to a master sheet to facilitate tabulation. Mean data were used in various calculation in accordance.with the need of the study. The operating costs for different threshing methods were calculated on the basis of collected data of one year. However, inflation rate was not considered in this study. For calculation of operating cost of animal treading, appreciation cost was considered instead of depreciation, because with the passage of time selling price of animal increases. Cost items and calculation procedures of different threshing methods are presented. Where, Purchase price (P), Salvage value (S), Working life (L), Average working hours per year (WH), lnterest rate (i), Maintenance cost (M), Housing (H), Veterinary charge (V) and lnsurance, taxes and Shelters etc (lTS, 0.3% ot P) were considered as fixed cost items. On the other hand, Daily labour rate (La), Rapier and maintenance cost (R&M), Oil cost (O) and Fuel cost (F) were considered as variable cost items.The Gross Margin (GM) of an enterprise is its enterprise output (revenue) less its variable costs and the Net Margin (NM) is the enterprise Gross Margin less its fixed costs. Mean values of Gross Margin and Net Margin of 50 respondents were used for interpretation of result.

Source of Information: J. Agric. Mach. Bioresour. Eng. 4(1&2),2006: 81-86 ISSN 1993-4041

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The Operating cost of Pedal threshing was found lowest and followed by Power thrashing, Traditional thrashing and Open-drum power threshing. Similarly, Throughput cost of Power threshing was found lowest and followed by Pedal threshing, Open-drum power threshing and Traditional threshing. ln contrast, Throughput capacity of Open-drum power threshing was found significantly higher and followed by Power threshing, Pedal threshing and Traditional threshing. Time economy in present day agricultural operation is of great importance as cropping intensity is increasing and turn around period between successive crops is decreasing. Operation and throughput costs economy, throughput capacity become important issue is machine selection. Therefore, form the point of timeliness of threshing operation, capacity, comfort etc. Power threshing and Open-drum power threshing might appear as better option for the farmers. Benefit.Cost Ratio of Power threshing was found slightly better than Pedal threshing and Open-drum power threshing and Traditional threshing appeared lowest. Thus, indicating the economic suitability of semi-mechanized and mechanized threshing methods. ln Gross Margin and Net Margin analysis Open-drum power threshing appeared as the best method followed by Power threshing and Pedal threshing. The Gross Margin of Traditional threshing appeared impressive in compared to other threshing methods but higher fixed cost incurred by the method lead the Net Margin to a minimum. ln this contest, Open-drum power threshing and Power threshing might appear as suitable threshing methods for the farmers. The substitution proposition by Partial Budget analysis clearly showed the economic profitability of Open-drum power threshing over all the threshing methods. Considering the timeliness of operation, capacities, costs, margins, comfort ability and economic capability of farmer Open-drum power threshing might be recommended for the farmers of Bangladesh.

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