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A Mathematical Model for Optimal Power Levels and Agricultural Machinery Size for Selective Agricultural Mechanization

T. Ahamed
Lecturer
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensing-2202, Bangladesh.

M. M. Hossain
Professor
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensing-2202, Bangladesh.

M. M. Huq
Professor
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensing-2202, Bangladesh.

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

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study reviewed the concept of selective agricultural mechanization and used a set of mathematical models. which were developed by L. U. Opara for Northern Nigeria. These mathematical models had been modified for Bangladesh context for determining farm power and width of implements for each selective levels of agricultural mechanization based on human muscle. animal and power tiller. A relationship was developed to calculate timeliness charge based on crop yield data to account for losses due to delay in performing field preparations for mono cropping pattern. The model calculates the number of draft animals and tractive power sources required to accomplish tillage/seedbed preparation and associated complementary operations. The basic management data for the optimum selection of farm power and width of associated implements were analyzed for Chandpur region of Bangladesh. A computer simulation model written in Microsoft TURBO C ++ is implemented to enhance a broad-based solution.

Keywords: Mathematical Model, Optimal Power Levels, Agricultural Mechanization

Location: Kachua Upazilla under the district of Chandpur.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Performance evaluation

Objectives:

i) To determine the farm power and machinery sizes for each level of agricultural mechanization based on human muscle, animal and tractor as primary source of farm power.

ii) To simulate a computer model to estimate the cost, energy requirement. optimum power requirement and optimum machinery sizes.

Methodology:

Data Collection: An extensive base line survey was conducted in Kachua Upazilla under the district of Chandpur with interview scheduling for authentic and relevant information. The scheduling with the farmer was done in three ways to establish the optimal levels for determining the selective mechanization i) Agro-climatology condition of study area from Upazilla Agricultural office. ii) General information of human labour. animal power and tractor power of different level of farm holdings. iii) The requirement of human labour. animal power or tractor power on the basis of farm size in different independent operation. iv) Yield loss due to timeliness of operation.

Cropping pattern: Bangladesh is divided into 30 agro- ecological zones (AEZ). The cropping pattern of these AEZ varies due to different soil and climatic conditions. But almost all varieties of rice are commonly grown in almost all agro ecological zones. There exist two major cropping patterns (a mono cropping pattern. and a multi cropping pattern). In this study only mono cropping pattern is considered. since the major production involved is mono cropping pattern.

Basic management of data for power and machinery selection: The basic management data are needed to select optimum power level and optimum size of farm machinery are summarized and any mechanization planning is affected by a lot of technical and economical management data. The additional data are also considered which govern to select optimum power and optimum size of implements. Some of data including scheduling management is not considered in this study.

Computer modelling: In order to facilitate a broad based solution. a computer programme of these mathematical models for each level of mechanization was analyzed by Turbo C++ 1. The model computed the optimum power (number of farm animals, number of tractor/PT), the optimum size of the implements, fixed, operating, timeliness and total annual system costs.

Source of Information: Journal of the Institution of Engineers. Bangladesh Agricultural Engineering Division. Vol. 28/AE. No. I. Dec. 2001

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

the annual cost. which consists of fixed cost. operating cost. timeliness cost. and benefit- cost analysis for total production system. The programme was written. based on survey data for mono-cropping pattern (Aus-Aman-Boro). Farm sizes varied from 0.25 to 20 ha. From the output of this model. it can be concluded that:

• Optimum power level and optimum width of the implements varied with the farm sizes and cropping patterns for each level of mechanization. In level I mechanization. the optimum power requirement were 0.46. 0.73. 0.98. 1.22. 1.45. 2.59. 3.73 and 4.86 hp in aus. 0.47. 0.74. 0.99. 1.24.1.48. 2.66. 3.83 and 5 hp in aman. and 0.48. 0.78. 1.05. 1.32. 1.59. 2.9. 4.2 and 5.5 hp in boro for 1. 2. 3. 4 . 5. 10. 15 and 20 ha. respectively. The complementary widths of country ploughs were 0.13. 0.14. 0.19. 0.19. 0.22. 0.28. 0.32 and 0.37 m. and widths of harrows were 0.55. 0.59. 0.78. 0.79. 0.89 1.12. 1.29 and 1.48 m. and widths of levellers were 0.95.1.02. 1.31. 1.31. 1.45. 1.78. 2.01 and 2.28 m for 1. 2. 3. 4 5. 10. 15 and 20 ha. respectively.

• Optimum power level and size of power tiller are greatly affected by working hour per day. Increasing working hour from 5 to 15 hr showed that both power and width were reduced with the increase of working hour. But it shortens the life of power tiller. which cause the economic penalty to the farmers. In level II mechanization. the average optimum power requirements were 1.79. 2.83. 3.79. 4 .72. 5.64. 10.14. 14.60 and 19.0 during 5 hr operation. 1.63. 2.50. 3.28. 4.0. 4.8. 8.4. 11.9 and 15.4 kW during 8 hr operation and l.18. l.83. 2.40. 2.96. 3 .50. 6.14. 8.7 and 11.3 during 15 hr operation in aus-aman- boro season for 1. 2. 3.4. 5. 10. 15 and 20 ha respectively. The average widths of power tillers were 0.11. 0.17. 0.22. 0.26. 0.31. 0.51. 0.71 and 0.90 m during 5 hr operation. 0.09. 0.13. 0.17. 0.20. 0.23. 0.37. 0.51 and 0.64 m during 8 hr operation and 0.07. 0.11. 0.14. 0.16. 0.18. 0.28. 0.37 and 0.46 m during 15 hr operation for 1. 2. 3.4. 5. 10. 15 and 20 ha. respectively.

• Optimum power level of power tiller is for preparation of seedbed only and draft animals are associated with complementary operations. In level III mechanization the optimum power requirement of tractive power is the same as level II in different working hour per day. The associated power from draft animal for complementary operations were 0.14. 0.29. 0.30. 0.37. 0.44. 0.78. 1.13 and 1.48 hp during 5 hr operation for 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 10. 15 and 20 ha. respectively.

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