A MOUND STREWING MACHINE FOR KAIPAD

Abstract

In the traditional Kaipad paddy cultivation method, the process includes creating mounds for planting germinated seeds. These mounds are left in the field for around 45 days, allowing leaching to decrease soil salinity and creating optimal conditions for seed germination. To uphold the biodiversity of the Kaipad ecosystem, the current cultivation technique involves manually spreading seedlings around the mounds using a spade. Challenges in Kaipad cultivation encompass labour shortages, strenuous work for farmers, high production costs, and a dearth of mechanization. In response to the challenges of labour scarcity and high production costs in Kaipad cultivation, a power-operated mound strewing machine has been developed. This machine minimizes the risk involved in the process of seedling dispersal, addressing the labour-intensive nature of the task, and potentially improving efficiency in the cultivation process.

The developed strewing machine comprises a prime mover, connecting shaft, gearbox, output connection, main frame, triangular frame, shaft, and blade. This entire unit was fabricated in the research workshop of KCAET, using standard design procedures. To achieve optimal machine efficiency, it is essential to optimize the parameters involved in the strewing operation. The various levels for the three parameters during strewing are rotational speed (25 and 30 rpm), type of blades (Rectangular, Trapezoidal, and Curved) and depths (15 , 20 and 25 cm) respectively. The dependent variables under consideration include field capacity, damage percentage, weight of soil-seedling composite and fuel consumption. The optimal parameters for the strewing process were identified as follows: rotational speed of 25 with a rectangular blade type at a depth of 15 cm.

The machine developed was operated by two men labours. It has a weight of 47.2 kg. Performance parameters, including field capacity, fuel consumption, damage percentage, and weight of soil-seedling composite, were determined as

101

0.019 acre h-1, 42.67 L h-1, 4.3% and 7.37 kg, respectively. The total cost of the machine was Rs. 31,000, and the cost of operation was calculated at Rs. 415.47 per hour. Comparing the operational costs, the conventional method incurs Rs 61,625 per hectare, whereas the developed mound strewing machine operates at Rs 55,396 per hectare.