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Comparative Harvesting and Threshing Cost of Paddy by Combine Harvester and Self-propelled Reaper and Thresher

S. M. S. Alam
Department of Agro Product processing Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore-7408, Bangladesh

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

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

K. M. D. Hossain
Department of Agro Product processing Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore-7408, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Harvesting is one of the major costs for rice production. Although the use of machine for harvesting rice in Bangladesh is increasing day by day and the machines are either combine harvester or reaper and thresher. Farmers of Bangladesh don’t have specific information to the choice of these machines. So to determine the cost of use of each machine, a study was conducted in Doyalsara, Bogra and Mymensingh region. Data were collected for rice in the Aman and Boro season of 2015 to determine the cost of harvesting by combine harvester and reaping and threshing by reaper and thresher. It was found for combine harvester operational cost and for carrying rice bag and straw to the plot side was Tk.10,447/ha. On the other hand, for reaper and thresher, the reaping, binding, carrying the rice to the plot side, threshing and cleaning required Tk.6,940/ha. The percentage of cost of combine harvester in relation to reaper and thresher for the same work is higher by 50.53%. In the socio-economic condition of Bangladeshi farmers, harvesting and threshing operations done by using self-propelled reaper and close drum thresher is cost effective and reasonable.

Keywords: Combine harvester, Reaper, Thresher

Location: Bogra and Mymensingh districts in Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Harvester, Reaper, Thresher

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the total cost of use of self-propelled reaper, close drum thresher and combine harvester.

Methodology:

The experimental data were collected from some rice based cropping area of Bogra and Mymensingh districts in Bangladesh. The field survey was conducted by interviewing identified sample respondents with predetermined interview schedules to cover all selected locations. All information about reaper, thresher and combine harvester was collected from the field during operation. Reaper The VIKYNO reaper, close drum thresher and DAEDONG combine harvester were used for the experiment. The specifications of VIKYNO reaper imported by ACI motor. thresher Close drum thresher is now manufactured in many agricultural machinery workshops in Bangladesh. The specifications of the close drum thresher used for the experiment. Combine Harvester The specifications of the DAEDONG combine harvester imported by ACI motors. Methods of cost calculation Operation Cost The selection of machines for agricultural activities is usually depends on least cost operation criteria. Machinery cost consists of fixed cost and variable cost. Fixed cost includes depreciation, interest, shelter and variable cost includes labor, repair and maintenance, fuel, oil etc. Three assumptions were taken during the analysis of cost i.e. the cost was calculated using database of a single year, inflation rate were ignored in the calculation, interest rate was assumed to be 12%. Fixed cost Fixed cost is defined as one, which not change when level of output alters (i.e. it applies to a resource that is fixed in quantity). Fixed cost comprises those costs, which have to bear regardless of the machine is used, namely, depreciation, housing, interest on investment and tax (if any). Fixed costs are fixed in total, but decline per ha, as the annual use of machine is increased (Barnard et al., 1979). Depreciation In agricultural engineering management an update equation is developed for calculating the depreciation considering time equivalent of money. Housing Housing cost was calculated, SLT= 0.75% of P Fixed cost (F.C) Tk./ha= Depreciation (D) + Interest (I) + Housing charge (SLT) [Cost of insurance and taxes was not considered]. Variable cost The variable cost is one which changes when the level of output alters. Variable costs vary in total in proportion to annual use, but are approximately constant per ha (Barnard et al., 1979). Variable costs depend on hourly labor cost, repair and maintenance cost, fuel and oil cost and the required working hours for each field operation. Variable cost (V.C) Tk./ha = fuel cost + oil cost + labor cost + repair and maintenance cost (R&M). Working procedure In Doyalsara, Bogra there was going an Aman rice harvesting project conducted by ACI Motor and it was selected as working area. Besides this experiment was conducted in the Bangladesh Agricultural University agronomy farm.
Data collection for Combine harvester and Reaper The following necessary data for calculating total cost of use of combine harvester and reaper were collected: purchase price, economic life, price of each type of fuel, fuel consumption. Before starting the machine the fuel tank was filled with diesel or petrol. After the operation the fuel tank was refilled with fuel and the necessary amount of fuel to refill the tank was recorded. Cutting width was measured by tape. For a particular distance traveled by the machine, the time was recorded. The fuel cost and forward speed were calculated by the following equation: Fuel Cost = fuel consumption*fuel cost/lit.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(1): 133-136, 2017 ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the study it was found that the cost of use of combine harvester was higher than the cost of use of reaper and thresher for harvesting and threshing of paddy in Bangladesh condition. The initial cost of combine harvester is very much higher in comparison with the initial cost of reaper and thresher. Most of the Bangladeshi farmers has small amount of land. In this case, rather than combine harvester the reaper and thresher are easily portable and maneuverable. Hence in terms of initial investment and cost of use for harvesting and threshing of paddy reaper and thresher are more acceptable rather than combine harvester. So it can be concluded that with present socio-economic condition of rural farmers of Bangladesh for harvesting of paddy the use of reaper and thresher are more suitable and reasonable. Harvesting of paddy by combine harvester is quick and three operations ie., harvesting, threshing and cleaning are done together but not economically viable for individual farmer. For individual farmers harvesting by reaper and threshing by closed drum thresher are economic. Combine harvester may be economically viable for commercial use.

Knowledge Management: Journal