Evaluation and Popularization of Technologies for Paddy Straw Management

(Component A: Refinement and Popularization of Machinery for Paddy Straw Management)

Sanctioned under NFSM by Department of Agricultural and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, India

Presented ByDr. Manjeet Singh, Research Engineer

Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering,

PAU, Ludhiana

OBJECTIVES

• To refine and develop energy efficient equipment for paddy straw management for wheat sowing

• To evaluate these straw management technologies at farmer’s field

• To have a liaison with manufacturers for their commercialization and adoption

PROGRESS OF PAU, LUDHIANA CENTRE

Straw management machinery approved and procured under project

•Happy seeder : Procured

•Straw chopper (double cylinder) : Procured

•Combine harvester with straw management system : Procured

•Spatial zero till drill : Procured

•Straw chopper (single cylinder)

•Straw mulcher and

•Rotavator

Demonstrations and Field Trials • Field trials of the machines have been conducted at farmer’s field as well

University, KVK, FASS farms.

• Two field days on Happy seeder were conducted in collaboration with KVK, Sangrur and KVK, Kapurthala.

• Combine mounted straw management system (SMS) has been recommended by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

• Demonstration of straw management machinery during kisan mela’s in September, 2014 and March , 2015

Development, Refinement and Evaluation of Straw Management Machinery

Refinement of Conveyor Seeder •A prototype was developed to manage the loose straw in combine harvested paddy field for direct drilling of wheat. •During initial trials it was observed that lumps of loose straw were formed. Another attachment has been developed with two counter rotating disc attached at underneath of conveyor. This attachment will be useful for uniformly spreading of straw over sown wheat as mulch. Further refinement and evaluation of machine is in progress.

Fig. A view of Conveyor Seeder

Development of tractor operated loose straw chopper

• New concept of chopping of only loose straw is under development. • First prototype was fabricated Which consisted of a conveyor to pick up the loose straw.

The picked loose straw was conveyed to serrated blade chopping cylinder thus only chopping the loose straw.

• Spatial drill was evaluated for drilling wheat in loose straw chopped condition.

• However, the loose straw chopper needs modification as clogging of loose straw was observed.

Loose Straw Chopper

Development of Combine Mounted Straw Bruising System (SBS)

• Instead of separate operation, a combine mounted flail type straw bruiser will be developed for bruising and spreading of loose straw coming out of the rear of the combine.

• Evaluation of straw bruising cum spreader system will be done in coming season.

PROGRESS OF HAU, HISAR CENTRE

• Front line Demonstrations of straw baler, happy seeder and half feed paddy combine harvester were conducted at farmer’s field.

• Happy Seeder : 70 ha • Straw baler : 50 ha

• Half Feeding combine harvester : 22 ha

A View Half Feeding Combine

FUTURE PLAN FOR THE YEAR 2015-16PAU, Ludhiana Centre

Activity Machines Proposed Plan/Programme(2015-16)

1st Half 

2nd Half 

Popularization of machines for in-situ management of rice straw

•Combine mounted SMS +Happy Seeder•Straw Choppers +Spatial No-till Drill•Straw Mulcher•Rotavator

Identification of fields/villages for trails. Extension activities for their popularization

Conduct of Trials and Data collection. Extensive extension activities for the popularization of suitable technologies for different regions

Refinement of low energy requiring machines used for in-situ management of rice straw

Conveyor seeder Compilation of data, liaison with state government for subsidy and manufacturers for multiplication and extension activities for their popularization

Extensive extension activities for the popularization of suitable technologies for different regions

Development and refinement of machines to chop and spread only loose straw

•Tractor operated loose straw chopper

•Combine mounted straw bruising attachment

Development and refinement of tractor operated loose straw chopper and combine mounted straw bruising attachment

Trials at farmer’s field and collection of data

FUTURE PLAN FOR THE YEAR 2015-16HAU, Hisar CentreActivity Machines Proposed Plan/Programme

(2015-16)Front line demonstration of residue management technologies for wheat sowing after paddy harvest 

•Happy Seeder

•Straw chopper + Spatial drill

•Straw chopper + Rotavator + Seed drill

Performance evaluation and economic feasibility of different residue management machines for wheat sowing

Energy budgeting of residue management technologies for predominant cropping system

Comparative performance evaluation of head feed combine with traditional paddy combine

•Half feeding paddy combine harvester

•Conventional Combine Harvester 

To evaluate the field performance of head feed paddy combine harvester

To study economic viability of the machine vis-à-vis traditional combine.

THANKS

BUDGET & EXPENDITURE DURING 2014-15

Sr. No.

Primary Unit Budget estimate 2014-15

Expenditure Balance

1. Contractual Sr. Research Fellow @ Rs. 23000+ HRA

227700 16916 210784

2. Recurring Contingencies (POL/RAW material/Farm inputs/labour wages consumables/vehicle hiring/training/field days/ office contingency)

262500 180635 81865

3. Non Recurring Contingency (Equipment)

1181250 1169487 11763

4. Travelling allowance 37500 - 375005. Institutional Charges for

CAU office102537 102537 -

6. Emergent need charges for DR office

68358 68358 -

  Total 18,79,845 15,37,933 3,41,912

PAU, Ludhiana Centre

BUDGET & EXPENDITURE DURING 2014-15HAU, Hisar Centre

Sr. No.

Primary Unit Budget estimate 2014-15

Expenditure

Balance

1. Contractual Sr. Research Fellow @ Rs. 23000+ HRA

227700 Nil 227700

2. Recurring Contingencies (POL/RAW material/Farm inputs/labour wages consumables/vehicle hiring/training/field days/ office contingency)

37500 10982 26518

3. Non Recurring Contingency (Equipment)

345000 159000 186000

4. Travelling allowance 37500 4810 326905. Institutional Charges for

CAU office64770 64770 Nil

  Total 7,12,470 2,39,562 4,72,908

Audit Utilization Certificate for the year 2014-15