Farm Machinery: the Economics of Paddy Harvesting

The present study assessed the potential of using paddy harvesters and its impact on timeliness, harvesting cost, crop yield, farm income and employment. The results indicated that mechanical harvester ensured rapid harvesting, reduced harvesting costs, minimised post harvest losses, raised income of farmers and assisted farmers in overcoming labour shortages during peak harvesting period. The machine replaced labour by about 90 per cent, reduced harvesting costs by Rs. 5500 per hectare and increased net return by around Rs. 35000/ha. Field conditions such as crop density, crop maturity, soil moisture condition, weed population, plot size, lodging and operators skills determines the efficiency of harvesting. Mechanical harvester harvested 10 acres per day. The mechanical harvester is impressive equipment, which reduced the cost of paddy production by about 25-30 per cent and reduced post harvest losses to a considerable extent. Negative effects are noticed on employment opportunities and also on the income of harvesting labourers. Although the mechanical harvester has gained greater acceptance among farmers, the price of the machine is around 15 lakhs; which tend to discourage them to invest on this technology. However, it is possible to popularize these machines in major rice producing areas by providing financial incentives to farmers and companies and by way of conducting appropriate training programmes.