Author(s): N. H. TAYADE

Abstract: Experiment was carried out to reduce the cost of cultivation in rice crop through mechanical harvesting operation at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dantewada and at Farmers field. The vertical conveyor power reaper was used for harvesting rice crop. The overall performance of the vertical conveyor reaper was quite satisfactory. The average actual field capacity of reaper was 0.29 ha/hr with the average field efficiency of 71.25% at an average of 3.2 kmph and fuel consumption was 5.65 lit/ha. The cost of cultivation of paddy could be reduced by reducing 10 man days per hectare through mechanized harvesting. The overall cost of harvesting was found to be reduced in case of mechanized harvesting by self-propelled vertical conveyor reaper. Hence, the mechanical harvesting would be economical compared to the traditional method.

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