International Journal of Agricultural Engineering

M. K. Ghosal ¹, D. Behera ², A. K. Mohapatra ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Machinery and Power, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN
2 AICRP on Utilization of Animal Energy, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology,Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN

Abstract

Use of bullocks for agricultural work is limited to tillage, sowing and transportation. The total annual use of bullocks in the state of Odisha is less than 300 hours. But the potential use of bullocks in a year is nearly 800 hours. To enhance the utilization of bullock in the state, there is the need of using bullock power operated stationary machines requiring around 1 hp (0.8 kW) power for doing various post harvest operations like paddy threshing, paddy winnowing, chaff cutting, sugarcane crushing, groundnut decortications, oil expelling, pulse milling and dehusking etc. This would ultimately reduce the economic burden of owning a pair of bullocks. With this aim, a study was conducted for operating a groundnut decorticator cum cleaner with the help of a rotary gear complex, installed in the premises of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CAET), Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The experiment was conducted continuously for 3 hours with the measurement of physiological responses like respiration rate, heart rate, body temperature etc. of the medium sized non-descript breed of bullocks (pair weight of bullocks 620 kg) of Odisha at half an hour interval and calculation of fatigue score to know their comfortable working without inflicting any health hazards. The bullocks were observed to be loaded with 11.29 % of their body weight in operating the groundnut decorticator cum cleaner and their speed was also measured. The draft and power delivered by the pair of bullocks were as well calculated. The groundnut decorticator cum cleaner was run with a pair of bullocks in rotary mode of operation and two persons were employed for the purpose. The output capacity of groundnut decorticator in rotary mode was observed to be 49 kg per hour as against 60 kg/h in electrically operated motor. The costs of operation in rotary mode and in electrically operated motor were calculated to be Rs. 118.40/quintal and Rs. 63.50/quintal, respectively.

Keywords

Bullock Power, Groundnut Decorticator, Physiological Responses of Bullock, Fatigue Score

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M. K. Ghosal ¹, Bikash Sarkar ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Machinery and Power, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN
2 Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Kaushalyagang, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN

Abstract

A low cost and manually operated multi crop seed drill with suitable dimensions of cup in cup feed metering mechanism for a particular crop has been developed and evaluated in the field condition to study its seed pattern characteristics and economic viability for small and marginal farmers in the state of Odisha. The seed drill developed was evaluated with the prevailing black gram variety 'PU-30' in the Central farm OUAT, Bhubaneswar in the year 2008 with the objectives of optimizing the dimensions of cup for black gram sowing, studying the seed pattern characteristics like seed rate deviation, seed distribution and seed damage, performance evaluation and finally its economics of use. From the experiments it was found that the dimensions of the cup i.e. 6 mm x 2.89 mm was found to be best and was used successfully up to a peripheral speed of 18.84 m/min. considering seed rate deviation, seed distribution and seed damage for sowing of black gram. The actual field capacity of the seed drill was 0.063 ha/h with a field efficiency of 78.75 per cent and there was a net savings of Rs. 1780.00 per hectare for black gram in comparison to the local traditional practice. This seed drill costing of Rs. 1850 and total operating cost of Rs. 13.85 per hour may solve the problem of line sowing of seeds particularly for the small and marginal farmers of Odisha to enhance production and productivity as a whole.

Keywords

Farm Mechanization, Seed Drill, Cup Feed Metering Mechanism, Blackgram Sowing

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R. K. Das ¹, M. K. Ghosal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Machinery and Power, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN

Abstract

The thermal behaviour of a greenhouse in any climatic condition can be studied by developing analytically a suitable thermal model with the help of which the inside environmental conditions can be predicted corresponding to the outside atmospheric situation. Based on the predicted inside conditions, heating and cooling requirements for a particular crop can be decided to maintain suitable environment for the growth of the crop. The various controlling parameters i.e., solar radiation, ambient air temperature, transmittance of greenhouse cover, ventilation, relative humidity etc. are generally taken into consideration for studying the thermal behaviour of the naturally ventilated greenhouse. For quantitative analysis of the thermal model, numerical calculations can be done to predict the effects of the above controlling parameters on the thermal behaviour of the greenhouse. The developing model can be validated for studying its accuracy and applicability under various situations. Various controlling parameters can accordingly be adjusted suitable for the better growth of a plant inside the greenhouse after studying the thermal bahaviour of greenhouse through the developing model.

Keywords

Thermal Modeling, Solar Energy, Greenhouse

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S. K. Swain ¹, M. K. Ghosal ¹, A. K. Dash ¹, A. K. Mohapatra ¹

Affiliations
1 All India Coordinated Research Project on Animal Energy Utilization with Enhanced System Efficiency, Department of Farm Machinery and Power, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN

Abstract

Use of bullocks for agricultural work is limited to tillage, sowing and transportation. The total annual use of bullocks in the state of Odisha is less than 300 hours even though the annual potential use is nearly 800 hours. To enhance the utilization of bullocks, there is a need of using bullock power operated stationary machines requiring about 1 hp (0.8 kW) power for doing various post harvest operations in rotary mode like paddy threshing, paddy winnowing, chaff cutting, sugarcane crushing, groundnut decortications, oil expelling, pulse milling and dehusking etc. This would ultimately reduce the economic burden of maintaining bullocks. With this aim, a study was conducted during the year 2012 for operating a potato peeler and slicer with the help of the rotary gear complex, installed in the premises of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The experiments were conducted continuously for 3 hours (8 am- 11 am) with the work rest cycle of 1hour work + 20 minutes rest + 1 hour work +30 minutes rest + 1 hour work. The measurement of physiological responses like respiration rate, heart rate, body temperature etc. of the small sized non-descript breed of bullocks (pair body weight of 450 kg) of Odisha were done at half an hour interval and calculation of the corresponding fatigue scores to know their comfortable working without inflicting any health hazards. The mean draft requirement of the potato peeler and slicer was found to be 7.70 % and 6.40 %, respectively in terms of percentage of body weight of the small size bullocks which were within their draftability. The highest fatigue scores during the operation of peeler and slicer were 18 and 17, respectively which were below the threshold fatigue score of 20. The output of potato peeler and slicer in rotary mode was observed to be 160 kg/h and 73 kg/h, respectively as against their corresponding values 200 kg/h and 100 kg/ h in electrically operated motor and only 7 kg/h in manual peeling and slicing with the help of a knife. The operation of potato peeler and slicer through rotary mode was not found to be economical as compared to when operated with electric motor. Nevertheless, it was a meaningful utilization of animal power during the idle period in farm operations and to compensate the maintenance cost of the bullocks.

Keywords

Bullock Power, Potato Peeler And Slicer, Physiological Responses of Bullock, Fatigue Score, Mechanical Gear System, Rotary Mode of Operation

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M. K. Ghosal ¹, D. Behera ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Machinery and Power, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, IN

Abstract

The present utilization of draught animals for agricultural operations is declining mainly due to drudgery involved in the use of animal operated traditional tools and implements. The younger generations show resistance to walk behind the animals for field operations and instead prefer tractor/mechanical powered implements for cultivation. However, considering the merits of animal based farming system, the younger generation need to be educated and motivated for improved use of work animals including the byproduct utilization for higher economics. Improved riding type cultivation equipment for multiple cropping, single/paired animal carting, pack load transport, rotary mode operation for agro processing equipments, electricity generation, water lifting and by-product utilization for organic farming are the pertinent avenues to increase the potential use of animal power which would ultimately reduce the demand for additional electrical and mechanical power in agricultural farming system resulting into savings of fossil fuels and electricity for other requirements. Use of animal energy in Indian agriculture may remain as a continuing priority for small farms due to prevailing land holding pattern, socio-economic condition of farmers and ecological compulsions.

Keywords

Agricultural Mechanization, Draft Animal Power, Animal Based Farming

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