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Performance Evaluation of Manual Reaper Available in Bangladesh

Ramani Kanta Barman
UG scholar, Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering (AIE) Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Abu Ayub Siddique
UG scholar, Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering (AIE) Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Maksudur Rahman
UG scholar, Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering (AIE) Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Ruhul Amin
Professor, Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering (AIE) Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Kamal Uddin Sarker
Professor, Department of Agricultural and Industrial Engineering (AIE) Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Considering fragmented lands, time consumption of manual harvesting and post harvest loss during harvesting, the performance of manual reaper was evaluated in this study. An ACI imported manual reaper was used to harvest rice on different plots in Aman season. Average field capacity of ACI imported manual reaper was found 0.3485 ha/day where manual harvesting field capacity was 0.03107 ha/man-day. Labor requirement for harvesting including making bundle and collecting was 24 man-hr/ha and 180 man-hr/ha for manual reaper and manual harvesting respectively. Average fuel consumption (0.755 L/hr) was observed for ACI imported manual reaper, which was proved to be 11.2 times more efficient compared to manual harvesting. The break-even point of an ACI imported manual reaper was 0.4 ha. Therefore, application of a manual reaper would be efficient mechanization for harvesting rice in Agricultural sector of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Reaper, Performance, Manual harvesting, Rice field

Location: Research field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Performance evaluation

Objectives:

To identify the problems and prospects of reaper in harvesting.

Methodology:

This research work was carried out in Aman season.in the research field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University.

Working Procedure: Paddy field of 103.49 m²and 680 m² were selected for harvesting by selected reaper and manual respectively. Harvesting time was counted by a stop watch. The actual field capacity was calculated by dividing the total area harvested by total time required to harvest a certain plot. The area of 103.49 m² was harvested using reaper by one labor in 40 minutes. On the other hand, a total area of 680 m² was harvested by 12 labors in 2.3 hr. The area of 103.49 m² was harvested using reaper by one labor in 40 minutes. On the other hand, a total area of 680 m² was harvested manually by 12 labors in 2.3 hr.

Parameter studied: Operating speed of an intermittent reaper was measured as a ratio of distance traveled to the required time and expressed as km/hr. Fuel consumption was calculated by using standard method. Field capacity of a machine is defined as the ratio of actual rate of area covered to the actual harvesting time. Field capacity was calculated. Theoretical field capacity was measured based on the forward speed and the cutting width of reaper suggested by Hunt. Field efficiency is defined as the ratio of the actual field capacity to the theoretical field capacity and expressed in percent. The harvesting cost for a manual reaper is calculated on the basis of fixed cost and variable cost. Fixed cost includes depreciation cost, interest, shelter and taxes as a function of purchase value, useful life and interest rate. Annual interest was calculated on average investment on the machine over its full life. Depreciation was determined by straight-line method. Useful life for manual reaper was considered to be 10 years. The purchase price of manual reaper was considered Tk.12000. The machine salvage value was considered to be 10% of purchase value. Interest is an actual cost in agricultural machinery and was determined by straight line method.

Variable costs include fuel, lubricant, repair and operational costs and directly related to the amount of work done by the machine. Repair cost for manual reaper was considered 3.5% of purchase value for every 100 hours of effective operation. Lubricant cost was 3% of fuel cost. The fuel cost (Petrol) in retail market was 100 Tk per litter. The wage of labor in manual method of harvesting using sickle was 300 Tk per day (eight hours of working day). The interest rate for agricultural machinery was assumed 12% of purchase value.

Fixed cost was calculated as: FC = Depreciation + Interest on investment + Tax, insurance and shelter

Break-even Area

The break-even area is that area in which the harvesting cost per unit area is equal for machine and manual and determined.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Volume 03 – Issue 06, Page: 637-642, December 2015 (ISSN: 2321 – 1571).

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.ajouronline.com/index.php?journal=AJAFS&page=article&op=view&path[]=3395&path[]=1801

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Manual reaper is a new addition in mechanization for harvesting of paddy in Bangladesh where land holdings are very small and capital resource availability is very low. Manual reaper can cover 435.5 m² harvesting area with a fuel consumption of 0.755 L petrol/hr. Considering working time 8 hr/day, the field capacity was 0.3485 ha/day and it was 11.2 times faster than manual harvesting. Harvesting cost of one hector rice field by manual reaper is 4032 Tk against 9600 Tk required in manual harvesting. If this reaper works below break-even point 0.4 ha, it would not be economically feasible to farmers. Considering the same amount of post harvest loss in both mechanical and manual harvesting, this machine could save 4398 Tk/ha in harvesting rice. However, this manual reaper could be easily fabricated by local artisans, this might be an alternative to the traditional harvesting of rice by sickle. Additionally, women would be able to use this reaper in harvesting rice cultivated in upland terrace or hill tracks because of it’s light weight and easy operation. Therefore, manual reaper would be economically efficient than self-propelled reaper or combine harvester for fragmented land in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal