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Status and Constrain for Mechanization of Rice Harvesting System in Bangladesh

Bidhan Chandra Nath
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Yo-Sang Nam
TYM R&D Center, Gongju, South Korea

Md. Durrul Huda
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Mizanur Rahman
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Panna Ali
Entomology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Subrata Paul
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

To know the position, problems and suggestion of harvest mechanization of rice, the study conducted in 21 upzillas under seven regions (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Comilla, Bogra, Rajshahi and Rangpur) based on different agro-climatic condition and cropping intensity and 126 farmers participated in the interview. For collecting data, a structured questionnaire was used and statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out. In study area, the average cultivable area was 225 to 1239 decimal (1 decimal = 40 m²) and 97.60% of farmers reaping by sickle and only 0.80% used combine harvester. Cut paddy transported by head (13.49%), shoulders (12.7%) or both of them of 11.11% farmer and 44.44% of farmers used small truck or field threshed. Threshing was mainly done using (49.21%) closed drum thresher and open drum thresher (26.20%), likewise, 1 of 126 farmers use head-feed combine harvester. The study area, most farmers (37.3%) used kula for the cleaning of rice, but only 8.74% of farmers used winnower. In considerable amount, 80.95% of farmers had machinery, while the remaining (19.05%) did not have machines. Farmers agreed that harvesting was a labor-intensive method (35.71%) and time-consuming (28.57%). Transporting of harvested paddy was dangerous and painful for head, shoulder, hand, waist, backbone, leg, etc. With mechanization and the introduction of machinery, 40.48% of farmers identified the main ceiling as the price of the machine and information/lack of credit system (21.43%). In survey area, most farmers (36.51%) identified the vital advantage of mechanized harvesting as lower labor requirement, while 21.43% of farmers said that a lower loss of rice. All farmers who participated in the interview expressed their need for machinery and mentioned agricultural credit with easy terms and conditions, subsidy for buying machinery and the ensuring of a fair market price for their rice.

Keywords: Crop, Harvesting, Mechanization

Location: Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Comilla, Bogra, Rajshahi and Rangpur

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Harvester, Rice

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to understand the current status, problems, prospects and probable solutions for the harvesting system and also suggest improvements to the harvesting system.

Methodology:

The study was done under the Korean International cooperation Agency (KOICA)- Bangladesh collaborative project titled “Development of Research Capacity of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute” and with the help of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Study Locations: The study was conducted in 21 villages in seven regions based on different agro- climatic condition and cropping intensity. Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Comilla, Bogra, Rajshahi and Rangpur regions were selected based on production volume, weather conditions, accessibility, cropping patterns and production surplus. At least one village from each upzilla was selected after considering the intensity of rice cultivation. The sample households were randomly selected using a random sampling technique with arbitrary allocation and minimum 3 farmers from each place were selected randomly. The total number of respondents was 126. 2.2. Questionnaire Preparation Farmers’/machinery users opinion was needed to establish the mechanization guidelines, as well as details on their wishes and needs. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary information by interviewing the farmers. A draft survey questionnaire was prepared and pretested to refine the questionnaire. A pre-tested questionnaire was supplied to farmers to get feedback on the harvesting, threshing, cleaning system and operation-related machinery and the associated problems. Survey questionnaires were finalized after incorporating the feedback of the farmers. In the questionnaires, farmers provided relevant information on the harvesting systems that they are practicing for cutting, transporting, threshing, and cleaning. 2.3. Sample Size The sample size of the interview was meaningful, but the present study sample was not the reason and the total respondent was 126. This interview focused on understanding the present condition and the tendency of farmers’ prospects and needs in terms of harvesting machinery in order to formulate a strategy for mechanized harvesting. Machinery operation, advantages and disadvantages related to the harvesting system were considered. Farmers’ opinions and desire regarding machinery for harvesting were also considered. To understand the drawback of the introduction of machinery, the most important points regarding mechanization were presented to the farmers and their comments were collected. A statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out and presented in this paper.

Source of Information: Agricultural Sciences, 2017, 8, 492-506 ISSN Online: 2156-8561ISSN Print: 2156-8553

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.scirp.org/journal/as

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In the surveyed area, every farmer harvested crops manually using a sickle. Modern harvesting machines such as reapers and combine harvesters were negligible amount in the farmers’ fields. Farmers were not so much familiar with the performance of combine harvester, or even with the reaper. Farmers described harvesting as labor-intensive and time-consuming work. Farmers used open drum thresher, close drum thresher and paddle thresher for threshing the paddy, either in the field or in the home yard. Mechanical winnowing units and traditional equipment kula were found in the surveyed area for cleaning the crop. Modern farm machinery needs assessment was done in the surveyed area. Every farmer wanted modern harvesting machinery (reaper, thresher and combine harvester), but in initial investment was very high which was beyond the purchasing capacity of the farmers. Moreover, they wanted to buy the machinery for a subsidized price. The government should take an initiative to distribute such type of capital intensive machines on a subsidized basis. Demonstration and mass media publication is necessary to create faster awareness of harvesting technology. The important factors affecting farmers’ use of rice harvesting machinery include farmer education, training, knowledge, perception of machinery and capital.

Knowledge Management: Journal