Comparison of Straw Chopper cum Incorporator with Existing Paddy Residue Management Technologies in Combine Harvested Paddy Field at North Western Region of India

Abstract

Burning of paddy residue is major problem which leads to adverse affect on our environment. Management of crop residues in conservation agriculture is vital for long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture. The straw chopper cum incorporator machine consists of chopping unit, incorporation unit, adjustable frame, pulleys and belts. The power is transmitted to the chopping unit and incorporation unit by tractor (55.95 kW) PTO with the help of gear box, belt, pulley and gear arrangement. The fuel consumption, field capacity and field efficiency of residue management machine were observed 12.5-14.0 l/h, 0.43-0.64 ha/h and 60.46% respectively. Cost economics of straw chopper cum incorporator machine was compared with existing technologies adopted by farmers i.e. straw chopper + 2 rotavator practice and 6 harrowing + rotavator + planker practice. The cost of operation of straw chopper cum incorporator machine was observed 4272.8 Rs.ha-1 lower than existing technologies. The break even point (BEP), pay back period and benefit cost (B:C) ratio of the Straw chopper cum incorporator machine were 45ha, 0.7 years and 1.17 respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the Straw chopper cum incorporator machine can be recommended to the farmers for paddy residue management of combine harvested paddy field.