Comparative Analysis of Manual and Mechanised Yam Minisett Planting

Abstract

Pain in yam cultivation has been identified as critical areas in yam cultivation. The aim of the study was to compare the manual and mechanised yam minisett planting. To address this problem, heart rate (HR) of workers during mounding and ridging, and planting were measured as well as assessing economic feasibility in mechanising yam planting. Polar watch (RS 800 CX) was used to measure HR of the operations. Hoe and cutlasses were used for mounding and ridging. The HR of tractor operator during planting was determined. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were done using GenStat software (VSN International, 2011). Statistical significance was carried out at p<0.05. The field capacity was 3.84 and 1.45 h/ha for mechanised and manual, respectively. The mean HR was 112.80 and 112.7 bpm for mounding and ridging respectively while 112.00, 132.00 bpm for mechanised and manual, respectively. Mechanised yam minisett planting reduces labour cost by 50%.