ASMA KHATUN - Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University · Department of Farm Power and Machinery,...

DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR CUSTOM HIRE SERVICE OF RICE TRANSPLANTER IN BANGLADESH

A THESIS BY

ASMA KHATUN Examination Roll No. 10 FPM JD 04M

Semester: July-December 2011 Registration No. 32421

Session: 2005-2006

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN

FARM POWER AND MACHINERY

DEPERTMENT OF FARM POWER AND MACHINERY BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

MYMENSINGH

DECEMBER, 2011

i


A THESIS BY



Session: 2005-2006

Submitted to the Department of Farm Power and Machinery

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) IN

FARM POWER AND MACHINERY

DEPERTMENT OF FARM POWER AND MACHINERY BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

MYMENSINGH

December, 2011

ii


A THESIS BY



Session: 2005-2006

Approved as to style and content by

..................................................... Prof. Dr. Md. Monjurul Alam

Supervisor

......................................................... Dr. Chayan Kumer Saha

Co-Supervisor

..................................................... Prof. Dr. Md. Daulat Hussain

Chairman Examination Committee and Head

Department of Farm Power and Machinery Bangladesh Agricultural University

Mymensingh

December, 2011

iii

DEDICATED TO MY

BELOVED PARENTS

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author expressed her sincere gratitude to Almighty Allah for his utmost blessing for the

successful completion her research work.

The author deem it a proud privilege to express her heartfelt gratitude and sincere

appreciation to her respected research supervisor Dr. Md. Monjurul Alam, Professor,

Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University,

Mymensingh, Bangladesh, who in spite of his busy schedule, always had time to spare for

creative suggestions, constructive criticism, helpful comments and encouragement all the time.

The author feels proud to express the gratefulness and profound regards to her honorable

teacher and research co-supervisor, Dr. Chayan Kumer Saha, Associate Professor,


Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

The author would like to extend deep appreciation to Anisur Rahman, Assistant Professor,


Mymensingh, Bangladesh, for his valuable advice, innovative suggestions, helpful comment,

affectionate feelings and inspiration in all phases of conducting the research work and

preparation of the thesis.

With profound regards, the author expresses her indebtedness to Md. Golam Kibrea Bhuiyan,

SSO and Md. Anwar Hossain, SSO, Farm Machinery and Post-Harvest Technology Division,

BRRI, Gazipur, for their valuable suggestions and constructive criticism during this research

work.

The author would like to express her cordial thanks to all other respected teachers of the


Mymensingh.

The author express their deep indebtedness to her beloved parents, brothers, sisters, friends

and relatives for their blessings, inspections and co-operation in all phases of their academic

pursuit.

The Author

December, 2011

v

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of the study was to determine the economic parameters for Rice

Transplanter custom hire entrepreneurship. Operating costs were calculated and financial

profitability was determined by four major on farm financial measurement techniques

namely, Benefit-cost ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return

(IRR), Payback period. Considering Bangladesh condition, an operating instruction and

maintenance of rice transplanter operation was developed for custom hire

entrepreneurship. Seedling raising cost in trays for mechanical rice transplanting was

found about Tk. 1,754 per ha, while manual transplanting the cost was about Tk. 3,678 per

ha. Mechanical rice transplanting can save Tk. 1,924 per ha. For both mechanical and

manual rice transplanting land preparation and fertilizing costs were same and estimated

as Tk. 4,940 and Tk.7440, respectively. The cost of mechanical rice transplanting was

estimated as Tk. 998 per ha. In contrast, the cost of manual transplanting was determined

as Tk.10,000 per ha, which include 40 man-days of labour cost. Therefore, mechanical

rice transplanting could save Tk. 9,002 per hectare. The total costs of manual and

mechanical transplanting of rice seedlings were determined as Tk. 15,132 and Tk. 26058,

respectively. For replacement of the existing rice transplanter on expiry of economic life,

the entrepreneur has to save an amount of Tk. 25,580 per year in a bank account. Based on

the operating cost, annual savings for replacement and a profit margin for the

entrepreneur, the rent-out charge of the rice transplanter was estimated as Tk. 1,740 per

hectare. The benefit cost ratio of rice transplanter was 1.44. Considering 10 percent

interest rate, the NPV of the rice transplanter at exiting conditions was Tk 2,45,851. The

average IRR was 71.81 percent. IRR of the rice transplanter was greater than the bank

interest rate and highly profitable from the viewpoint of individual investors. The pay back

period of rice transplanter was determined as 1.61 yrs. The mechanical rice transplanter

was found suitable in terms of financial over manual transplanting of rice seedling and

recommended for the development of rice transplanter custom-hire service

entrepreneurship.

vi

LIST OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

ABSTRACT vi

LIST OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

LIST OF APPENDICES xiii

LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS xiv

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6

3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 9

3.0 General Introduction 9

3.1 Mechanical Rice Transplanter 9

3.1.1 Development History of Rice Transplanter 10

3.2 Conduction of the Experiment 10

3.2.1 Raising of seedlings for manual transplanting 10

3.2.1.1 Seed collection 10

3.2.1.2 Seed sprouting 10

3.2.2 Preparation of seedling nursery and sowing of seeds for mechanical transplanting

11

3.2.2.1 Procedure for tray (seedbed) preparation 11

3.2.2.2 Tray and seed requirement 12

3.2.3 Important Factors of Manual and Mechanical Transplanting

13

3.2.4 Preparation of Land for Transplanting 14

3.2.5 Fertilizer Application 14

3.3 Transplanting of Rice Seedlings 15

3.3.1 Specification of Mechanical Rice Transplanter 15

3.4 Technical Performance of the Mechanical Rice Transplanter

17

3.4.1 Theoretical field capacity 17

3.4.2 Effective field capacity 17

vii

LIST OF CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

3.4.3 Field efficiency 17

3.5 Financial Performance of Mechanical Rice Transplanter

17

3.5.1 Cost Determination 17

3. 5.1.1 Fixed costs 17

3.5.1.2 Variable Cost 19

3.5.1.3 Operating cost 20

3.5.2 Payment for Replacement 20

3.5.3 Rice Transplanter Rent-out Charge 21

3.5.4 Project Appraisal Methods 21

3.5.4.1 Benefit cost ratio (B/C) 21

3.5.4.2 Net Present Value (NPV) 22

3.5.4.3 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 22

3.5.4.4 Payback period 22

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 23

4.0 General Introduction 23


23

4.1.1 Labour cost for transplanting 23

4.1.2 Seedling raising cost 23

4.1.3 Land preparation and Fertilizer cost 23

4.1.4 Transplanting cost 24

4.1.4.1 Transplanting Cost of Mechanical Rice Transplanting

24

4.1.5 Payment for Replacement 24

4.1.6 Determination of Rice Transplanter Rent-out Charge 24

4.1.7 Benefit cost ratio (BCR) 25

4.1.8 Net present value (NPV) 25

4.1.9 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 25

4.1.10 Payback period (PP) 25

4.1.11 Salient Features of Rice transplanter Custom-hire Entrepreneurship Development

27

viii


CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

4.2 Operating Instruction 28

4.2.1 Main clutch lever 28

4.2.2 Transplanting clutch lever 28

4.2.3 Shift lever 29

4.2.4 Steering clutch lever 29

4.2.5 Governor clutch lever 30

4.2.6 Light switch 30

4.2.7 Engine operation 31

4.2.7.1 Starting 31

4.2.7.2 Stopping 31

4.2.8 Transplanter operation 32

4.2.8.1 Starting 32

4.2.8.2 Transplanting 32

4.2.8.3 Stopping 33

4.3 Check list 33

4.3.1 General requirement 33

4.3.2 Each 50 hours of operation (weekly) 33

4.3.3 Each 100 hours of operation (every two weeks) 34

4.3.4 Each 1000 hours of operation (seasonally or yearly) 34

4.3.4 Summary checklist of rice transplanter 34

4.4 Cleaning & Replacing 35

4.4.1 Engine oil 35

4.4.2 Gear oil 35

4.4.3 Cleaning fuel filter cup 35

4.4.4 Cleaning air cleaner element 36

4.4.5 Cleaning ignition plug 36

4.4.6 Transplanting arm 36

4.5 Maintenance 36

4.6 Adjustment 37

4.6.1 Main clutch 37

4.6.2 Transplanting clutch 37

ix


CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

4.6.3 Wheel control wire 38

4.6.4 Hydraulic wire 38

4.6.5 Mark wire 39

4.6.6 Transplanting lever 40

4.6.7 Steering clutch 40

4.6.8 Transplanting grippers 40

4.6.9 Sensor rod 40

4.6.10 Ignition plug 41

4.6.11 Transplanting 41

4.6.11.1 Hill spacing adjustment 41

4.6.11.2 Cross conveying control 41

4.6.11.3 The height of handle 42

4.6.11.4 Seedling number 42

4.6.11.5 Transplanting depth 42

4.6.11.6 Reserved seedling heap mat 43

4.7 Troubleshooting 43

4.7.1 Untransplanted rows 43

4.7.2 Seedlings floating or scattered 45

4.7.3 Other problems 46

5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 47

5.0 Generation Introduction 47

5.1 Conclusions 47

5.2 Recommendations 48

REFERENCES 50

APPENDICES 53

x

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

3.1 Total time duration for preparation per tray (seedbed) 13

3.2 Factors of Manual Transplanting 13

3.3 Factors of Mechanical Transplanting 13

3.4 Fertilizer application rate per hectare 15

3.5 Technical specification of Mechanical Rice Transplanter 16

3.6 RNAM Test codes & procedures for Farm Machinery, 1995 20

4.1 Comparative cost of machine and manual transplanting 24

4.2 BCR, NPV (at 10% DF) and IRR of mechanical rice transplanter 25

4.3 Salient features of rice transplanter custom-hire service entrepreneurship development

27

4.4 A checklist of rice transplanter 34

4.5 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of untransplanted rows 44

4.6 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of seedlings floating or scattered

45

4.7 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of other problems 46

xi

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

3.1 Mechanical rice transplanter 9

3.2 Sprouted seeds 10

3.3 Wooden tray, size 60cm × 30cm 12

3.4 Placing of sprouted seeds on soils in tray 12

3.5 Adding soil above seed 12

3.6 Soil above seed 12

3.7 Adding water to seedling trays 12

3.8 12 days old of seedling in trays 12

3.9 Leveling of land for transplanting 14

4.1 Break-even analysis in ha of mechanical rice transplanter 26

4.2 Break-even analysis in hr of mechanical rice transplanter 26

4.3 Main clutch lever 28

4.4 Transplanting clutch lever 29

4.5 Shift lever 29

4.6 Steering clutch lever 30

4.7 Governor cultch lever 30

4.8 Light switch 30

4.9 Position of fuel cock, governor lever and stop button 31

4.10 Position of shift lever and governor lever 32

4.11 Transplanting lever 32

4.12 Clutch lever 33

4.13 Engine oil and transmission oil filling plugs 35

4.14 Cleaning of fuel filter cup, air cleaner element and ignition plug 36

4.15 Position of different wires 38

4.16 Position of Hydraulic wire, Main clutch wire, Sensor wire, Transplanting clutch wire

39

4.17 Mark wire adjustment 39

4.18 Transplanting lever adjustment 40

4.19 Ignition plug clearance 41

4.20 Cross conveying adjustment 42

4.21 Transplanting depth adjustment lever 42

4.22 Reserve seedling mat tray 43

xii

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

1 Cost items and operating cost of rice transplanter 53

2 Thumb rule for estimating the operating cost 54

3 Cost items and different cost of mechanical and manual rice transplanter

55

4 Computation of Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate Return (IRR) of Mechanical Rice Transplanter

56

5 Operating instruction, different type of adjustment and troubleshooting of operating Rice Transplanter

57

xiii

LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

B/C Benefit-Cost Ratio

BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

BINA Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture

BRRI Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

D Depreciation

DAE Directorate of Agricultural Extension

DCF Discounted Cash Flow

DCFROR Discounted Cash Flow Rate Of Return

F Fuel Cost

FC Fixed cost

GM Gross Margin

Ha Hectare

I Interest

IRRI International Rice Research Institute

NPV Net Present Value

NPW Net Present Worth

O Oil Cost

P Purchase price

PVs Present Values

R&M Repair and Maintenance Cost

RNAM Regional Network of Agricultural Machinery

S Salvage value

SFP Sinking Fund annual Payment

VC Variable cost

xiv

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of The Study

Entrepreneurship is more than simply “starting a business.” Entrepreneurship is a process

through which individuals identify opportunities, allocate resources, and create value.

This creation of value is often through the identification of unmet needs or through the

identification of opportunities for change. An entrepreneur is the person who organizes,

manages and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. The entrepreneur is an agent of

change. Entrepreneurs see “problems” as “opportunities,” then take action to identify the

solutions to those problems and the customers who will pay to have those problems

solved.

Entrepreneurship ranges in scale from solo projects (even involving the entrepreneur only

part-time) to major undertakings creating many job opportunities. Many "high value"

entrepreneurial ventures seek venture capital or angel funding in order to raise capital to

build the business. Angel investors generally seek annualized returns of 20-30% and more,

as well as extensive involvement in the business. Many kinds of organizations now exist to

support would-be entrepreneurs, including specialized government agencies, business

incubators, science parks, and some NGOs. In more recent times, the term

entrepreneurship has been extended to include elements not related necessarily to business

formation activity such as conceptualizations of entrepreneurship as a

specific mindset resulting in entrepreneurial initiatives e.g. in the form of social

entrepreneurship, political entrepreneurship or knowledge entrepreneurship have emerged

(Wikipedia, 30/11/2011).

1.1 History of the Entrepreneurship

The word “Entrepreneur” originates from a thirteenth-century French verb,

‘Entreprendre’, meaning “to do something” or “to undertake.” By the sixteenth century,

the noun form, entrepreneur, was being used to refer to someone who undertakes a

business venture. In the 20th century, the understanding of entrepreneurship owes much to

the work of economist Joseph Schumpeter in the 1930s and other Austrian economists

such as Carl Menger, Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich von Hayek. In Schumpeter, an

1

entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a

successful innovation. Entrepreneurship employs what Schumpeter called "the gale of

creative destruction" to replace in whole or in part inferior innovations across markets and

industries, simultaneously creating new products including new business models. In this

way, creative destruction is largely responsible for the dynamism of industries and long-

run economic growth. The entrepreneur leads to economic growth as an interpretation of

the residual in endogenous growth theory and as such is hotly debated in academic

economics.

Entrepreneurship is about taking risk. The behavior of the entrepreneur reflects a kind of

person willing to put his or her career and financial security on the line and take risks in

the name of an idea, spending much time as well as capital on an uncertain venture.

Knight classified three types of uncertainty.

• Risk, which is measurable statistically

• Ambiguity, which is hard to measure statistically

• True Uncertainty or Knightian Uncertainty, which is impossible to estimate or

predict statistically.

Zoltan Acs and David Audretsch have produced an edited volume surveying

Entrepreneurship as an academic field of research, and more than a hundred scholars

around the world track entrepreneurial activity, policy and social influences as part of the

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and its associated reports (Wikipedia,

30/11/2011).

1.2 Stages of Entrepreneurship

There are six stages of an entrepreneurial venture that founders of companies will

encounter. The six steps are:

• Conviction

• Idea

• Concept

• Venture

• Business

• Sustainable Business

2

Stage 1: Conviction

Conviction is willingness of entrepreneur. It is the first step of entrepreneurship. In this

stage, an entrepreneur needs to figure out if he/she has the conviction to withstand the

fundamental issues of entrepreneurship. No matter the stage of the business when an

individual begins his/her entrepreneurial journey, every entrepreneur must address his/her

conviction to be an entrepreneur.

Stage 2: Idea

Entrepreneur has an idea for a business. Entrepreneur has focus to zero cost, but benefit

level is very high. The Idea stage is the basis for every other stage so it cannot be

dismissed.

Stage 3: Concept

Concept is characterized by structure. In this stage, an entrepreneur takes his/her idea and

employs a certain intellectual rigor, which includes:

• Extensive market research

• Development of the business model

• Conceptualization of the type of the team required to execute

• Engagement of informal and formal advisors

Stage 4: Venture

This is the most challenging stage of the business. This is the stage of significant

investment. This investment typically comes in two forms: money and time.

Stage 5: Business

Business stage is the stage where all entrepreneurs strive to be. This is the stage where

entrepreneur have revenues that are commensurate with his/her expenses. There may be

unprofitable months or years, but in general, the business can support itself with little

outside capital. This is the stage where entrepreneur are most likely to find investors.

3

Stage 6: Sustainable Business

Although most entrepreneurs are satisfied to build a business, but they have to strive to

become a Sustainable Business. There are unique challenges to creating a sustainable

business and it can be defined in different ways. It is typically characterized by time.

Ventures those last couple of years may be thought of as sustainable; however, the

challenge is for a business to outlast the involvement of its founders. That is a more

relevant definition of a sustainable business.

1.3 Scope of Study

Agriculture plays a dominating role in Bangladesh economy in terms of food security,

value addition and employment. More than 78 percent of her population lives in the

villages (BBS, 2008) and agriculture is the major occupation of the people. The total

cultivable area in the country is about10.18 million hectares. Total irrigated area under

different crops in the country is about 5.53 million hectares of which transplanted rice

(Aus, Aman, and Boro) area is about 4.62 million hectares. The production and yield per

hectare of rice in Bangladesh are 25.08 million tons and 6.54 tons, respectively (BBS,

2008).

Irrigated rice is largely grown by manual transplanting of seedlings. Manual transplanting

of rice seedlings give uniform crop stand. However, it is quite expensive and requires lot

of labour besides involving lot of drudgery. Singh et al. (1985) reported that transplanting

takes about 250-300 man-hours/ha which is roughly 25 percent of the total labour

requirement of the rice crop establishment. Further, due to rapid industrialization and

migration to urban areas, the availability of labour became very scarce along with hike in

the wages of labour. Therefore, manual transplanting of rice become costly leading to

reduced profits to farmers. Due to the shortage of labour, sometimes farmers are

compelled to practice delayed rice planting which results in yield loss. It is also reported

that traditional rice transplanting caused several health problems to labourers such as

backache, skin disease etc (BRRI, 2008).

Under such circumstances a less expensive and labour saving method of rice transplanting

without yield loss is an urgent need for the country. The mechanical transplanting of rice

has been considered the most promising option, as it saves labour, ensures timely

transplanting and attains optimum plant density that contributes to high productivity.

4

These machines are costly and highly sophisticated. Mechanical rice transplanter needs

seedlings grown in small trays. However, the technique for growing rice seedlings in trays

is very simple and any one can do it with simple training.

1.4 Objectives of the study

In view of above discussion the present study was carried out with the following

objectives:

1. To determine the economic parameters for developing a rice transplanter custom

hire entrepreneurship.

2. To identify most important operation and maintenance schedules for rice

transplanter.

5

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Entrepreneurship has assumed importance for accelerating economic growth both in

developed and developing countries. It promotes capital formation and creates wealth in

country. It is hope and dreams of millions of individuals around the world. It is a creative

and innovative skill and adapting response to environment of what is real. In Bangladesh,

the field of entrepreneurship is an important area of research. There are no much research

has been done in the area of agricultural machinery entrepreneurship. Researchers in the

recent past have shown keen interest in the study of entrepreneurs, particularly focusing

their attention on SME entrepreneurs. A review of literature, though scanty, would point

out the relevance of the study and provide a background for future research.

Schumpeter stressed the role of the entrepreneur as an innovator who implements change

in an economy by introducing new goods or new methods of production. Entrepreneur is a

disruptive force in an economy. Schumpeter emphasized the beneficial process of creative

destruction in which the introduction of new products results in the obsolescence or failure

of others.

Giakwad and Tripathi (1970) the main object of the study was to examine the pre-

requisites for successful entrepreneurship. They found that all the entrepreneurs selected

for study had basic characters of initiative, drive and habit of hard work, but they did not

have sufficient technical knowledge or awareness about the policy of the Government.

Okun and Divesta (1976) in a study of young and old entrepreneurs found that older

entrepreneur tend to select opportunities that would have a higher probability of success.

Rice is grown either by direct seedling i.e. broadcasting, drilling, sowing, transplanting. In

India, higher and more stable yield was obtained from transplanted rice than direct seeded

rice. In most provinces of India, transplanted rice had 10 to 20 % higher yield than

broadcasted rice (Garg 1997).

Gulati says that by using the transplanter a farmer can increase the yield by about 2.5

quintal per acre as compared to the traditional method. This method consumes less time

6

and water also. In comparison with traditional method of transplanting in which 4 men can

cover 1 acre in a day, with this advanced transplanter, 4 men can over 4 acre with walk

behind machine and 10 acre with riding type of machine in a day.

Manual transplanting of rice seedlings takes about 250-320 man-hours/ha, which is

roughly 25 per cent of the total labour requirement of the crop (Singh and Hussain, 1983;

Singh, 1985). Further, due to rapid industrialization and migration to urban areas, the

availability of labour became very scarce and with hike in the wages of labour, manual

transplanting found costly leading to reduced profits to farmers. Under such circumstances

a less expensive and labor saving method of rice transplanting without yield loss is the

urgent need of the hour (Tripathi, 2004). The mechanical transplanting of rice has been

considered the most promising option, as it saves labour, ensures timely transplanting and

attains optimum plant density that contributes to high productivity.

Mechanical transplanting has some added advantages over manual transplanting as

compared to direct seedling i.e. better water and weed control, uniform ripening and less

lodging. In addition, the transplanted rice occupies the field less time than the direct

seeded rice and facilitates control of weeds effectively. Timeliness of transplanting is

essential for optimizing the yield and this can only be achieved through mechanical

transplanting.

Producing rice seedlings for mechanical transplanting is very important activity for

transplanting of seedlings by mechanical means. A seedbed of 10 m length, 1.2 m width

and 2.5 cm height were prepared and covered with polythene sheet of 1.2 m width and 50-

micron thickness. Soil was sieved and mixed with equal quantity of farmyard manure and

spread over the polythene sheet to a depth of 2 cm. Sprouted seeds were spread uniformly

on the polythene sheet and pressed gently. They were covered with paddy straw and

watered through rose cans for four days. After the fourth day, paddy straw was removed

and seedlings were grown normally by regular watering. To enhance the growth of

seedlings two percent foliar spray of Nitrofoska (19:19:19 N: P: K) was given twice at 12

and 15 days after sowing. When the seedlings were about 2-3 leaf stage, water was drained

from the nursery and seedling mat was cut to required size using a knife and rolled and fed

to the mechanical transplanter. In case of manual transplanting method, paddy nursery was

raised following the recommended package of practices. Transplanting was done through

7

mechanical transplanter by running lengthwise of the field on the puddled and leveled land

with water level in the field kept at 2 cm only to avoid floating of seedlings. Observations

on speed of operation, depth of placement of seedlings, number of seedlings per hill,

number of missed hills, time taken for turning, time taken for loading of seedling mat on

to the transplanter, total time taken for transplanting, total area covered, width of coverage

and quantity of fuel consumed for the operation were recorded (Aswini et al. 2009).

8

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.0 General Introduction

This section deals with the materials and methods related to manual and mechanical

transplanting of rice seedlings. The section also deals with the evaluation techniques of

technical performance of mechanical rice transplanter and financial parameters of manual

and mechanical transplanting of rice seedlings.

3.1 Mechanical Rice Transplanter

A rice transplanter is an agricultural machine used for transplanting rice seedlings to the

field in a predetermined pattern (Wikipedia, 30/11/2011). A common rice transplanter

comprises of:

• A seedling tray like a shed roof on which mat type rice nursery is set,

• A seedling tray shifter that shifts the seedling tray like a carriage of typewriters and

plural pickup forks that pick up a seedling from mat type nursery on the seedling tray,

and put the seedling into the soil, as if the seedling were taken between human fingers.

Figure 3.1 Mechanical rice transplanter

9

3.1.1 Development History of Rice Transplanter

Rice transplanter was first developed in Japan in 1960s, whereas the earliest attempt to mechanize rice-transplanting dates back to late 19th century. In Japan, development and spread of rice transplanter progressed rapidly during 1970s and 1980s. Rice transplanter is a specialized transplanter fitted to transplant rice seedlings onto paddy field. Although rice is grown in areas other than Asia, rice transplanter is used mainly in East, Southeast, and South Asia. This is because rice can be grown without transplanting, by simply sowing seeds on field, and farmers outside Asia prefer this fuss-free way at the expense of reduced yield (Behera, 2000).

3.2 Conduction of the Experiment

3.2.1 Raising of seedlings for mechanical transplanting

3.2.1.1 Seed collection

Seeds of BINA dhan 7 were collected from the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh.

3.2.1.2 Seed sprouting

Healthy seeds were selected by specific gravity method. Seeds were immersed in water with bucket for 24 hours. Then seeds were taken out of water and kept thickly in gunny bags. The seeds started sprouting after 48 hours and were sown after 72 hours. The germination percentage was calculated by the following formula:

Germination (%) = (Number of seeds germinated/ Number of seeds on tray) x 100

Figure 3.2 Sprouted seeds

10

3.2.2 Preparation of seedling nursery and sowing of seeds for mechanical transplanting

For mechanical transplanting, seedlings were grown in a tray of size 60 cm × 30 cm. For

1ha of rice transplanting about 180 trays were needed.

3.2.2.1 Procedure of tray (seedbebed) preparation

Step 1. At first tray was made with wood of size 60cm × 30cm.

Step 2. A place was selected where seedlings were raised. The place should have well

facilities of light and air.

Step 3. A plastic sheet was placed on the selected place. Newspaper was also placed

above the plastic sheet. Then trays were placed on it.

Step 4. The trays were filled with about 1.3 cm dry soil and mixed properly. Then about

150gm of sprouted rice seeds were scattered on the top of the soil uniformly.

Step 5. Further, dry soils were poured on the sprouted rice seeds upto the height of the

trays (2.25 cm).

Step 6. Then sufficient amount of water was applied to keep the soil moist.

11

Figure 3.4 Placing of sprouted seeds

on soils in tray Figure 3.3 Wooden tray, size 60cm × 30cm

Figure 3.5 Adding soil above seed Figure 3.6 Soil above seed

Figure 3.8 12 days old of seedling

in trays Figure 3.7 Adding water to seedling

trays

12

Table 3.1 Total time required for preparation per tray (seedbed)

Preparation of tray Time (min)

To fill dry soil before seeding 3

For seeding 3

Further filling of dry soil & irrigation 2

Total time for preparation 8

3.2.2.2 Tray and seed requirement

• No of tray required per ha: 180

• HYV seed per tray: 120 – 150 gm (150 gm was in this experiment)

• Hybrid seed per tray: 80-100gm.

3.2.3 Important Factors of Manual and Mechanical Transplanting

Important factors and requirement of manual and mechanical transplanting are given

bellow:

Table 3.2 Factors of Manual Transplanting

General factors Requirement

Plant to plant spacing 25 cm

Hill to Hill spacing 18 cm

Age of seedling 30 days

Number of seedlings per hill 03

Table 3.3 Factors of Mechanical Transplanting

General factors Requirement

Dimension of tray 60cm × 30cm

Plant to plant spacing 30 cm

Hill to Hill spacing 12 cm

Age of seedling 13 days

Number of seedlings per hill 02

13

3.2.4 Preparation of Land for Transplanting

The experimental plot was cultivated by a tractor drawn rotavator. Due to drought the land

was irrigated and puddled thoroughly by repeated ploughing and cross ploughing with a

rotavator and subsequently leveled by laddering. Weeds and stubble were cleared off from

individual plots and finally plots were leveled properly by wooden plank that no water

pocket could remain in the puddle field. For manual and mechanical transplanting lands

were prepared similarly.

Figure 3.9 Leveling of land for transplanting

3.2.5 Fertilizer Application

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc fertilizer were applied in the

experimental plots at the rates of 170, 100, 60, 60 and 10 kg per ha, respectively in the

from of urea, triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum and zinc sulphate,

respectively. The entire amount of triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum and

zinc sulphate were broadcasted and incorporated into the soil at final land preparation.

Cow dung was used at the rate of 10 ton per ha at the time of final land preparation. Urea

at the rate of 170 kg per ha was top dressed in three equal installments, at 15, 45 and 55

day after transplanting (DAT).

14

Table 3.4 Fertilizer application rate per hectare

Fertilizer kg per ha

Urea 150-180

T.S.P 110-120

M.O.P 50-70

Gypsum 50-60

Zinc sulphate 10-12

3.3 Transplanting of Rice Seedlings

In this study, thirty days old seedlings were used for manual transplanting in the well

puddle plot. The seedlings were transplanted within 30 minutes after uprooting and three

seedlings were placed in each hill. The placement of root in the soil was ‘L’ shaped

instead of traditional manner of ‘J’ shape.

For mechanical transplanting BINA dhan7 was used during aman season and seedlings

age was 13 days. Seedlings were transplanted with double seedlings per hill and having

spacing in the range of 12×30cm in a rectangle method of planting in the well puddle plot.

Transplanting was done through mechanical transplanter by running length wise of the

field on the puddle and leveled land with water level in the field kept at 2 cm only to avoid

floating of seedlings. Observations on speed of operation, depth of placement of seedlings,

number of seedlings per hill, number of missed hills, time taken for turning, time taken for

loading of seedling mat on to the transplanter, total time taken for transplanting, total area

covered, width of coverage and quantity of fuel consumed for the operation were recorded.

Using the above information field capacity, effective field capacity, field efficiency,

labour saved, cost of transplanting and fuel consumption were computed.

3.3.1 Specification of Mechanical Rice Transplanter

The technical specifications of the mechanical rice transplanter are illustrated in the

Table 3.5.

15

Table 3.5 Technical specification of Mechanical Rice Transplanter

Type Specification Description

Supplier ACI Motors Ltd. Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Price (taka) 325,000

General

Mode DP-480

Length 220 cm

Width 150cm

Height 106.5cm

Dimension

Weight (kg) 170 kg

Power unit 4-stroke, Air cool OHV petrol engine

Transmission 2 Forward 1 reverse

Number of rows 4

Wheel type Rubber lugged

Starting method Recoil starting

Fuel tank capacity (L) 3.3

Engine

Fuel consumption (L hr¯1) 1.3 (petrol)

Planting speed 1.5-2.0(km/ha) Working capacity

Capacity 0.30 ha/hr

Distance between hill (cm) 12-18 (adjustable)

Row spacing (cm) 30

Growing density of seedlings hill/m2

20-26

No. of seedlings per hill 2-7, (adjustable)

Planting information

Planting depth (cm) (2-5)cm, Adjustable)

Dimension of tray (60×30) cm2

Seed per tray 150 gm

Seedling information

Tray per ha 180

Efficiency Field efficiency 75%

16

3.4 Technical Performance of the Mechanical Rice Transplanter

3.4.1 Theoretical field capacity

Theoretical field capacity was calculated based on the forward speed and the width of the

rice transplanter.

Theoretical field capacity = SW/C

Where, S= Forward speed, km/hr; W = Rated width, m; C= 10.

3.4.2 Effective field capacity

Effective field capacity was calculated based on area covered and actual time taken for

covering the area including the time lost in turning and loading of seedlings.

Effective field capacity = Total area covered/Total time required

3.4.3 Field efficiency

Field efficiency was obtained by dividing actual field capacity by the theoretical field

capacity.

Field Efficiency = Effective field capacity/Theoretical field capacity


3.5.1 Cost Determination

The economic profitability of the rice transplanter selected in this study was determined

based on economic analysis. The economic analysis was done considering the fixed and

variable cost of the machines.

3.5.1.1 Fixed cost

Fixed costs are independent of use. Fixed costs are included Depreciation (D), Interest on

the machinery investment (I), Taxes (T) and shelter (S).

17

Depreciation

Depreciation, often the largest cost of farm machinery, measures the amount by which the

value of a machine decreases with the passage of time, whether in use or not. Rate of

actual depreciation depends on the useful life of the machine. This depends on operating

conditions, design and quality of materials used in machine manufacture, attention given

by the operator for maintenance, adjustment and repairs. Value declines, as a result of

natural wear, obsolescence, damage, corrosion and weathering. In this study, the following

procedure was applied to calculate the yearly depreciation rate.

In calculation of fixed cost a straight-line depreciation is assumed and the following

equation was used:

a) Annual depreciation, D= L

SP −

Where, D = depreciation, Tk/yr; P = purchase prize of rice transplanter, Tk.; S =

salvage value, Tk.; L = Transplanter life, yr.

Interest on investment cost

This is a direct expense item on borrowed capital. Interest on the investment in farm

machinery is included because the capital used to purchase machinery, cannot be used, on

other productive enterprise. The amount invest is greater, during early part of the service

life, since an amount is written off each year for depreciation.

b) Interest on investment: I= 2

SP + × i

Where, i = rate of interest, decimal

Shelter cost

This is minor items in the total fixed cost but it should be included in farm machinery

against losses. Shelter cost is considered desirable for many types of farm machinery. To

simplify the calculation, an annual charge equal to 1% of the new cost is considered as the

straight-line depreciations assumed.

18

c) Shltre cost : T= 1% of P

d) Taxes:No taxes on agricultural machinery

Where, P = purchase price of rice transplanter

Total fixed cost per year, FC= (a+b+c) ……………………………………. ( i )

3.5.1.2 Variable Cost

Operating cost of a mechanical rice transplanter is reflected by the cost of fuel, lubrication,

daily service, power and labour cost. These cost increase with increased use of the

machine, and vary to a large extent in direct proportion to hours or days of use per year.

Operator/Labour cost

Operations of the machine require one operator. Sometime the operation of the machine

may involve more than one person. The charge of the unskilled labour required to assist in

the operation of the machine, is also included in the cost of operation.

a) Labour cost Tk per hour, L=Taka/man-hr

Fuel and Lubrication cost

Fuel is the main item influencing the mechanical transplanter operating costs. Factors

affecting fuel cost are (i) the prevailing market price, (ii) engine condition, (iii) load factor

or ratio of used power to available power. Proper lubrication and the use of good quality

lubricants are very important in reducing wear and repair costs of a mechanical

transplanter.

b) Fuel cost Tk per hour: F= Fule consumed litre/hr × Ful cost Tk/litre

c) Lubricant/ oil cost Tk per hour: O= 3% of fuel cost.

Repair and maintenance cost

Repair and maintenance expenditures are unavoidable for keeping a machine in running

condition against wear, failure of parts and accidents. Repair costs are the expenditure, for

parts, and labour for (i) installing replacement parts after failure and (ii) reconditioning

19

renewable parts as a result of wear. Maintenance costs and the cost of labour, requires for

maintenance should be included as repair cost.

d) Repair and maintenance cost per hr: RPM=hr use, Aunnal

price purchase of 3.5% .

Total variable cost = (a + b + c + d)………………………………………………. ( ii )

The cost of operation was estimated based on following assumption by keeping in mind

the RNAM recommendations (RNAM Test codes & procedures for Farm Machinery,

1995).

Table 3.6 RNAM Test codes & procedures for Farm Machinery, 1995

Sl. No. Cost Item Value assumed

01 Bank interest, i 10%

02 Salvage value, S 10%

03 Shelter cost 1% of purchase price

04 Repair and maintenance cost 3.5% of purchase price

3.5.1.3 Operating cost

Operating costs are recurring costs that are necessary to operate and maintain a machine

during its useful life.Annual operating costs of rice transplanter were divided into fixed

costs and variable costs. All calculated fixed costs and variable costs were converted into

Tk/ha and then summation of fixed and variable costs had given operating costs in Tk/ha.

The operating was calculated as follows:

Operating cost, Tk/ha = Fixed cost +Variable cost

3.5.2 Payment for Replacement

Uniform annual payments to a fund are of such a size that by the end of the life of the

machine the funds and their interest have accumulated to an amount that will purchase

another equivalent machine. By formula, the values for the sinking fund annual payment

(SFP) are:

1)1()(

−+×−= Li

iSPSFP

20

Where, P = Purchase price of rice transplanter, Tk.; S = Salvage value, Tk.; L = Life

of machine, yr. and i = Interest rate, decimal.

3.5.3 Rice Transplanter Rent-out Charge

An entrepreneur can estimate the rice transplanter rent-out cost from the following

expression: Rent-out charge = Operating cost +SFP + Estimated profit

3.5.4 Project Appraisal Methods

For achieving the objectives of the study, the project appraisal technique has been

followed to find out the profitability of rice transplanter from owners of view. The

following four alternative discounting measures are commonly applied for project

appraisal (Gittinger 1994). These measures are:

i) Benefit-cost ratio (BCR)

ii) Net Present Value (NPV)

iii) Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

iv) Payback period

This appraisal however, is based on the following assumptions:

• All the devices are purchased with cash.

• Operation technology is remaining unchanged throughout the project life.

• Prices of all input and outputs are given and constant throughout the project life.

• Interest rate of 10 percent has been assumed for calculating BCR and NPV.

3.5.4.1 Benefit cost ratio (B/C)

Benefit-cost ratio (B/C) may be defined as the ratio of benefits to costs (expressed either in

present or annual worth). The method of benefit-cost analysis is simple in principle. It

follows the systematic approach used in selecting between economic investments

alternatives. If the B/C ratio is greater than unity, then it will be economically accepted.

( ) (PWC) Costs ofrth Present Wo

PWBBenefit ofrth Present Wo ratio B/C∑∑=

21

3.5.4.2 Net Present Value (NPV)

NPV is a scientific method of calculating the present value of cash flows, both inflows and

outflows of an investment proposal, using a discount rate and subtracting the present value

of outflows to find the net present value. NPV is calculated by using the following

formula:

Net present value = ∑PWB- ∑PWC

3.5.4.3 Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

The IRR is called Discount Cash Flow (DCF) yield or DCF return on investment or

effective rate of interest method or marginal efficiency of capital. The IRR is the value of

discount factor when the NPV is zero. The IRR can be computed with the help of this

formula:

IRR = Lower discount rate + Difference between the discount rate

ratesdiscount twoat the flowcash ofrth present wo hebetween t difference Absoluteratediscount lower at flowcash ofrth Present wo

×

3.5.4.4 Payback period

The payback refers to the time within which the costs of investment can be covered by

revenues. In other words, it is the length of time required for the stream of cash proceeds

produced by an investment to equal the initial expenditure incurred. This can be computed

by applying the following formula:

(Tk/yr)benefit Net Tk) initial, (total Investment periodPayback =

22

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


This chapter deals with financial analysis of rice transplanter. Three discount measures

such as BCR, NPV and IRR have been employed in this study to assess the profitability of

investing in rice transplanter operation. The operation and maintenance instructions for

rice transplanter are also discussed in this chapter. These indicators were evaluated for

developing a sustainable Rice Transplanter custom-hire service entrepreneurship.


4.1.1 Labour cost for transplanting

The performance of the mechanical transplanter was found quite satisfactory and the

labour requirement was 3.3 man-hour per hectare, against 320 man-hour per hectare in

case of manual transplanting. Thus, make a huge difference in labour cost for establishing

rice seedlings mechanically rather than manually.

4.1.2 Seedling raising cost

Seedling raising cost in trays for mechanical rice transplanting was found about Tk.1,754

per ha, which included cost of soil pulverizing, tray preparation, watering and observation.

While, in manual transplanting the cost was about Tk. 3,678 per ha, which included cost of

land preparation, seed sowing, watering and observation (Appendix 3). Mechanical rice

transplanting could save Tk.1,924 per ha.

4.1.3 Land preparation and Fertilizer cost

For both mechanical and manual rice transplanting land preparation costs were same and

estimated as Tk. 4,940 per ha. Similarly, cost of fertilizer for both manual and mechanical

rice transplanting was same and estimated as Tk. 7,440 per ha (Appendix 3).

23

4.1.4 Transplanting cost The cost of mechanical rice transplanting was estimated as Tk. 998 per ha (Appendix 1).

In contrast, the cost of manual transplanting was determined as Tk. 10,000 per ha, which

include 320 man-hour of labour cost. Therefore, mechanical rice transplanting could save

Tk.9002 per hectare.

4.1.4.1 Cost of Mechanical Rice Transplanting The total costs of manual and mechanical transplanting were determined as Tk. 26,058 and

Tk. 15132, respectively (Table 4.1). Therefore, mechanical transplanting of rice seedlings

could save Tk. 10,926 per hectare over manual transplanting method (Table 4.1).

Table 4.1 Comparative cost of machine and manual transplanting

Mechanical rice transplanting Manual transplanting

Cost items Taka/ha Cost items Taka/ha

Seedling raising cost 1,754 Seedling raising cost 3,678

Land preparation cost 4,940 Land preparation cost 4,940

Fertilizer cost 7,440 Fertilizer cost 7,440

Transplanting cost 998 Transplanting cost 10,000

Total 15,132 Total 26,058

Cost saved by mechanical transplanting = 10,926 Tk/ha

4.1.5 Payment for Replacement The entrepreneur has to save Taka 25,580 per yr in a bank account so that he can buy a

new rice transplanter when the economic life of the old rice transplanter expires (By SFP

formula).

4.1.6 Determination of Rice Transplanter Rent-out Charge A rice transplanter entrepreneur can determine the rent-out charge with the following

expression:

Rent-out charge = operating cost +SFP + Estimated profit

= Tk 998/ha + ha/yr. 180

yr.per 25580 Tk. Tk/ha + Tk 300/ha

= Tk 1,440 per ha The capacity of the Rice Transplanter is 0.3 ha/hr. and on an average it can be used

600 hr/yr. in three transplanting seasons. Therefore, the rice transplanter can be

used about 180 ha in a year.

24

4.1.7 Benefit cost ratio (BCR)

The benefit cost ratio is an important factor to measure the profitability of using mechanical rice transplanter. The result presented in Table 4.2 supported that investment on mechanical rice transplanter is highly profitable. The result shows that the benefit cost ratio of mechanical rice transplanter is 1.44 that is higher than unity.

4.1.8 Net present value (NPV)

Considering a 8 years time span and 10% discount rate, the NPV of the mechanical rice transplanter with existing conditions was estimated as Tk. 2,45,851 (Table 4.2 and Appendix 4). The positive NPV indicates that mechanical rice transplanter is considered financially sound and the project is said financially viable.

Table 4.2 BCR, NPV (at 10% DF) and IRR of mechanical rice transplanter

Item BCR NPV at 10% DF(Taka) IRR (%) Payback period

(year) Mechanical rice transplanter 1.44 2,45,851 71.81 1.61

Source: Appendix 4

4.1.9 Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

The internal rate of return is a rate in quantity. It is an indicator of the efficiency, quality and/or yield of an investment. This is in contrast with the net present value, which is an indicator of the value or magnitude of an investment. The estimated IRR for mechanical rice transplanter was 71.81 %, which is far greater than the bank interest rate (Table 4.2 and Appendix 4). It indicates that investing on a mechanical rice transplanter is highly profitable and highly suitable for development of custom-hire entrepreneur of rice transplanter.

4.1.10 Payback period (PP)

The payback period of mechanical rice transplanter was determined as 1.61 year with an investment size of Tk. 3,25,000. The average break-even hectare for mechanical transplanting was found about 230 ha per yr and break-even hectare for mechanical transplanting was found about 750 hr per yr, after which the transplanter will run with profit. Therefore, a rice transplanter custom-hire entrepreneur must operate the transplanter above 230 ha to recover his investment. Beyond this hectarage, the transplanter will run on profit.

25

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

10 40 70 100

130

160

190

220

250

Area, ha

Cos

t and

Ben

efit,

Tk

Cost (Tk)Benefit (Tk)

Figure 4.1 Break-even hectarage of mechanical rice transplanter

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

Hourly used, hr

Cos

t or B

enifi

t, Tk

Cost (Tk)Benefit (Tk)

Figure 4.2 Break-even hours of mechanical rice transplanter

26

4.1.11 Salient Features of Rice transplanter Custom-hire Entrepreneurship Development

Table 4.3 illustrates the salient features of rice transplanter custom-hire service

entrepreneurship development. It is evident from the table that a rice transplanter custom-

hire service entrepreneur has to invest Tk. 4, 46,805 for the initial year for purchasing the

mechanical rice transplanter and cover the running cost. The gross revenue earned for the

year would be Tk.2,59,200 per year with a net profit margin of Tk. 79,707 per year. The

BCR, IRR and payback period for the rice transplanter custom-hire service

entrepreneurship would be 1.44, 71.81% and 1.61 year, respectively. Therefore, the

development of rice transplanter custom-hire service entrepreneurship would be highly

beneficial and sustainable in terms of economic appraisal analyses.

Table 4.3 Salient features of rice transplanter custom-hire service entrepreneurship development

Investment needed: Purchase of Rice Transplanter 325000 Running capital (Variable cost), Tk/yr Tk. 1,21,405

Total Investment Tk. 4,46,805 Costs of Rice Transplanter operation: Fixed cost, Tk/yr Tk. 57,688 Running cost (Variable cost) Tk/yr Tk. 1,21,805

Total Cost Tk1,79,493 Gross Revenue, Tk/yr Tk2,59,200 Gross Margin, Tk/yr Tk. 1,37,395 Net Margin (Profit), Tk/yr Tk. 79,707 Payment for Replacement Tk. 25,580 per year Other Important Economic Parameters: BCR 1.44 NPV 2,45,581 IRR 71.81% Average working hours per year 600 Annual use ,ha 180 ha Break-even usage, ha 230 ha Break-even usage, hr 750 hr Payback period 1.61 yr Rent out charge Tk.1,440

27

4.2 Operating Instructions

The mechanical rice transplanter was found suitable in terms of technical, agronomical

and financial performance over manual transplanting of rice seedlings and recommended

for development of custom-hire entrepreneur of rice transplanter. However, the

transplanting machine is not familiar to the farmers and custom hire service providers of

Bangladesh. Some important operating instruction are given bellow to be followed by the

custom-hire entrepreneur of rice transplanter.

4.2.1 Main clutch lever

The main clutch lever of rice transplanter controls the power from the engine to each part

(Fig. 4.3). When it is pushing up, the power is engaged and when it is pushing down, the

power is disengaged.

Figure 4.3 Main clutch lever

4.2.2 Transplanting clutch lever

When transplanting clutch lever is engaged, position-planting arms are start working.

When transplanting clutch is disengaged, planting arms are stop operating and the rice

transplanter becomes stationary. When lifting is required transplanting arms is stopped,

then body is up and rolling system becomes stationary (Fig. 4.4).

28

Body fixing

Lifting

DisengageOperation

Figure 4.4 Transplanting clutch lever

4.2.3 Shift lever

Shift lever is used to control the traveling speed and direction (Fig. 4.5). Maintaining

transplanting speed the lever is shifted to one-step right from the neutral position. For

traveling speed, the lever is shifted to two-step right from the neutral. For reverse

direction, the lever is shifted left from the neutral position.

Figure 4.5 Shift lever

4.2.4 Steering clutch lever

Steering clutch lever is used to cut off the power to the wheel (Fig. 4.6). When left lever

cut off the power then the transplanter will go to the left way. Again, when right lever cut

off the power, the transplanter will go to the right way.

29

Figure 4.6 Steering clutch lever

4.2.5 Governor clutch lever

High and low speeds are maintained by governor clutch lever (Fig. 4.7).

High speed Low speed

Figure 4.7 Governor cultch lever

4.2.6 Light switch

It is used to turn on and off the light (Fig. 4.8).

Figure 4.8 Light switch

30

4.2.7 Engine operation

4.2.7.1 Starting

During starting following tasks are performed.

a) The shift lever should be kept in neutral position and the fuel cock must be kept

open.

b) The choke is to be adjusted.

c) Governor lever is to be placed on start position.

d) The starting rope is pulled enough less than 65cm.

e) After starting, the choke is opened slowly.

f) Warm up the engine for five minutes before operation.

4.2.7.2 Stopping

For stopping, the governor lever is turned to low position. Then stop button is pressed. The

fuel cock is closed (Fig. 4.9).

Figure 4.9 Position of fuel cock, governor lever and stop button

31

4.2.8 Transplanter operation

4.2.8.1 Starting

a) After starting the engine, the governor lever is turned to the middle poison.

b) Shift lever is put on transplanting position.

c) Transplanting clutch lever is placed on body fixing or lifting position.

d) Main clutch lever is placed up and the transplanter will go.

Figure 4.10 Position of shift lever and governor lever

4.2.8.2 Transplanting

During transplanting, the transplanting lever is placed on operation position. Then main

clutch is remained up and transplanting wheel will work (Fig. 4.11).

Figure 4.11 Transplanting lever

32

4.2.8.3 Stopping

To stop transplanting operation governor lever is turned to the low and clutch lever put

down (Fig. 4.12).

Figure 4.12 Clutch lever

4.3 Check list

Checking is very important for farm machinery. Because, farm machinery has to go field

to operation, but the other machinery works at place. Without checking it, if machine is

gone to field then any problem is occurred it took time to solve. It is not good for

entrepreneur. Therefore, timely checking is very important. A checklist is given bellow:

4.3.1 General requirement

• Checking engine crankcase.

• Cleaning air filters in operator’s enclosure.

• Tighten any loose nuts or bolts.

• Repairing any worn or damaged parts.

4.3.2 Each 50 hours of operation (weekly)

• Checking the lubricant level in the power train.

• Cleaning the dry-element air cleaner.

• Cleaning engine crank case.

• Perform 10-hour checking.

33

4.3.3 Each 100 hours of operation (every two weeks)

• Changing the crankcase oil and filter.

• Cleaning ignition plug.

• Perform 10-and 50-hour maintenance.

4.3.4 Each 1000 hours of operation (seasonally or yearly)

• Servicing the oil-bath air cleaner

• Drain out and refill the power train with lubricant.

• Drain out, cleaning and refilling cooling system.

• Checking air conditioning components.

• Checking transplanting arm.

• Checking driving chain.

• Checking transplanter center case and side case.

• Perform 10, 50band 100-hour maintenance.

4.3.5 Summary checklist of rice transplanter

A list of summary checklist of rice transplanter operation is given below:

Table 4.4 A checklist of rice transplanter

Item 1st time 2nd time 3rd time Oil Type Oil amount

Engine Crank case After 10 hour use

After 10 hour use

After 10 hour use Engine oil, SAE30) On flat ground,

full (0.55ℓ)

Gear case After 50 hour use Before

transplantingseason

Gear oil (SAE80W/90)

On flat ground, full (3.2ℓ)

Cleaning Fuel filter

Cleaning air cleaner Frequently check

Cleaning ignition plug Every 100 hour

Transplanting arm

Driving chain

Transplanting center case and side case

Before transplanting season or when disassembling Grease Sufficient

34

4.4 Cleaning & Replacing

Regular cleaning pays it protection against dirt and chemicals, extra safety, longer rice

transplanter life and in pride in appearance. Paint can be damaged by long exposure to oil,

grease, fertilizers, and chemical sprays. Grease and oil can accumulate and collect dirt that

works its way into bearings and other precision parts. Grease on steps and handholds can

cause a fall. Regular replacing and cleaning is important for rice transplanter. Some

instruction given bellow how effectively and easily cleaning and replacing is possible.

4.4.1 Engine oil

For cleaning engine oil, rice transplanter is put on the flat ground then the drain plug is

loosen and drained out engine oil.

4.4.2 Gear oil

For cleaning gear oil, rice transplanter is put on the flat ground. Then the drain plug is

loosen and drained out gear oil (Fig. 4.13).

Transmission oil filling plug

Transmission oil check bolt

Transmission oil drain plug

Engine oil filling plug

Engine oil drain plug

Figure 4.13 Engine oil and transmission oil filling plugs

4.4.3 Cleaning fuel filter cup

At first, fuel cock is closed and then the fuel filter cup is taken off and rinsed it with

gasoline.

35

4.4.4 Cleaning air cleaner element

The air cleaner is taken off and rinsed it with kerosene or gasoline. It is put in the engine

oil for a while and removing from engine oil, reassembled it.

4.4.5 Cleaning ignition plug

The plug cover is disassembled and the ignition plug is taken off and removed carbon.

Then ignition plug is reassembled.

4.4.6 Transplanting arm

After transplanting season, the transplanting arms should be greased.

Figure 4.14 Cleaning of fuel filter cup, air cleaner element and ignition plug

4.5 Maintenance

To assure economical, efficient, and safe operation of rice transplanter must be

maintenance regularly. Costly repairs, premature wear, loss of time and accidents can all

be reduced by servicing at the specified times. Thoroughly clean the rice transplanter at

least once each year, when it becomes excessively dirty. Following steps are followed to

long term maintenance:

• Finishing the operation the transplanter should be washed and dried.

• Governor lever should be at the low position.

• Main clutch and transplanting clutch should be in engaged.

• Transplanting grippers should be kept in position before lifting.

36

• Shift lever should be in neutral position.

• For engine maintenance all fuel is drained out. If fuel is remained it will be

evaporated in the fuel tank or carburetor. It makes difficult to start.

• The fuel cock should be closed.

• To prevent rust in the cylinder the ignition plug should be removed and put it in

oil. After that crank shaft is rotated for a few time with start lever. The ignition

plug is reassembled.

• The start lever is pulled until it stops.

4.6 Adjustment

Proper adjustments must be performed at regular intervals to assure economical, efficient,

and safe operation of the Rice Transplanter. For proper operation, following adjustments

are required:

4.6.1 Main clutch

When clutch lever is up or down, power must be engaged or disengaged.

To adjust the main clutch, the wire cover is took off and the wire is expanded or

contracted.

4.6.2 Transplanting clutch

• When transplanting clutch is on operation, power must be on.

• When transplanting clutch is on disengaged, power must be off. If not, the wire

should be lengthen.

• When transplanting clutch is on disengaged then the clutch is pulled outside wire

down and found that the moment of clutch was disengaged.

• Then the wire tightened by 2 times.

37

Main clutch wire

Sensor wire Transplanting wire

Hydraulic wire

Figure 3.15 Position of different wires

4.6.3 Wheel control wire

While transplanting, rolling system makes the transplanter go stably and horizontally.

If the rolling system does not work for releasing or fixing with transplanter lever on

operation, the wire is needed to be adjusted.

• When transplanter lever is on disengaged but no rolling system was fixed then the

wire would be lengthen.

• When transplanter lever is on engaged but rolling system was fixed then the wire

would be shortened.

4.6.4 Hydraulic wire

If transplanting clutch lever was on body fixing position, but body was moved up or down,

then the wire was needed to be adjusted.

• If the body were moved down, then the wire would be lengthened.

• If the body were moved up, then the wire would be shortened.

38

Figure 4.16 Position of Hydraulic wire, Main clutch wire, Sensor wire,

Transplanting clutch wire

4.6.5 Mark wire

While transplanting lever is on operation, if then the mark lever was fallen outward by

hand, then.

• If the mark lever is not fixed, then the outer wire should be shortened.

• If transplanting lever is on disengaged, the mark lever is come up automatically.

• If the mark lever was not came up, then outer wire should be lengthened.

Hydraulic wire Main clutch wire

Transplanting clutch wireSensor wire

Figure 4.17 Mark wire adjustment

39

4.6.6 Transplanting lever

While transplanting, if main clutch is disengaged, control system is operated to prevent the

body up.

• If the body is moved up with main clutch disengaged, then the wire at main clutch

should be lengthen.

• When the main clutch is disengaged and checked to see the body up with transplanting

lever on lifting.

Figure 4.18 Transplanting lever adjustment

4.6.7 Steering clutch

• If steering lever is not disengaged the clutch, then the fixing nut should be loosen.

• If steering lever is not engaged the clutch, then the fixing nut should be tighten.

• Lever free play is 0.5~2.5mm.

4.6.8 Transplanting grippers

• The gripper screw are loosen and took out from gripper.

• Flat part is needed to be downward. The gripper is inserted to the transplanting

arm.

4.6.9 Sensor rod

• If the hydraulic sensitivity is dull, the sensor is inserted rod to the below hole

again.

• If hydraulic sensitivity lever is kept shaking on the firm ground, snap pin is

replaced.

40

4.6.10 Ignition plug

Clearance should be maintained as 0.7~0.8mm

Figure 4.19 Ignition plug clearance

4.6.11 Transplanting

4.6.11.1 Hill spacing adjustment

S

H

Space between roots is chosen by controlling rod.

Standard spacing: Hill to Hill space is 15cm

Narrowly spacing: Hill to Hill space is 13cm

Widely spacing: Hill to Hill space is 17cm

4.6.11.2 Cross conveying control

• The root mat is moved to the end of right or le

• After vertical conveying main and transplantin

• The engine is stopped.

41

tandard Narrowly Widely

ill spacing: 12cm

Hill spacing: 13cm

Hill spacing: 17cm

ft.

g clutch is disengaged.

Figure 4.20 Cross conveying adjustment

4.6.11.3 The height of handle

The bolt is loosen and the handle is adjusted, then it is retighten.

4.6.11.4 Seedling number

• When lever is put up then large number of seedlings are planted. When lever is

put down then small amount of seedlings are planted.

• If some of the transplanting gripper is picked the roots too much or too small,

then the amount is adjusted with the gauge.

• To control small amount, the knob is used.

4.6.11.5 Transplanting depth

When lever is put up then the transplanting depth is slight, again when lever is put down

then the transplanting depth is deep. (Standard depth is 20~30mm)

DepthSeedling

Figure 4.21 Transplanting depth adjustment lever

42

4.6.11.6 Reserved seedling heap mat

This is done by sliding the lever. To balance it the lever is fixed to the rear position in low

paddy field and to the front position in deep paddy field.

Figure 4.22 Reserve seedling mat tray

4.7 Troubleshooting

Using rice transplanter in filed operator faces some problems. Causes of these problem,

results and remedies are given below.

4.7.1 Untransplanted rows

There are many causes of untransplanted rows. Due to untransplanted rows production

reduces. If sufficient amount of seed was not sowed, then there were developed

untransplanted rows. Again, when the seedbed was too thin or thick then untransplanted

seedbed developed. At the situation to prevent untransplanted rows some remedial steps

were taken in seedbed and rice transplanter to over come problem (Table 4.5).

43

Table 4.5 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of untransplanted rows:

Cause Result Troubleshooting

Se•

edlings The poorly seedling section are cut

out from the seedbed. • Poor quality seedling should not be

transplanted.

1.a. Uneven growth among seedlings in a seedbed

1.b. Unevenly sowed seedbed

There are untransplanted rows due to the uneven amount of transplanted seedlings.

Rice Transplanter • The amount the seedlings picked by

the grippers should be increased. • The feeding amount should be

changed to 26times to 20 times 2. The amount of

sowed seeds is insufficient.

There are untransplanted rows due to the insufficient amount of transplanted seedlings.

Seedlings • The nurturing guidelines should be

flowed to have a good quality seedbed.

Rice Transplanter • If the amount of gripped seedlings are

increased by one time, then number of the horizontal feeding movement of the transplantation is decreased by one unit.

3. Too thin seedbed and poor root density.

The seedbed may collapse on the seedling stray, because of amount of picked seedlings is insufficient for there are untransplanted rows.

Rice Transplanter • To avoid the seedlings collapsed on

the seedling tray, the gap between the seedling holder and seedbed should be narrow.

• Seedbed • Only a 2 cm or thicker seedbed

should be used. 4. The seedbed is too

soft. This seedbed also collapsed the seedling tray.

The seedbed should be pushed to compress it.

5. The seedbed it too thick.

• There are untransplanted rows because the remaining seedlings cannot come down from the seedling tray.

Seedlings • Excessive thickness is cut out from

the seedbed so that its thickness is 2.5 cm.

• Before transplanting the seedbed should be watering.

6. a. The soil of the seedbed is too sticky (viscous). 6.b. The soil in the

field is sticky without sufficient water.

• There are untransplanted rows because seedlings are not released from the grippers.

Seedlings • The seedbed is dried up a little bit. • Or sufficient amount of water is

applied on it. Paddy field • The depth of water in the field is

kept 1 to 3 cm so that the seedlings could easily be separated from the grippers.

44

4.7.2 Seedlings floating or scattered

When the depth of water in field is over 3cm, then seedling are floating. If the paddy field

is solid or soft, then seedlings are damaged or scattered when they are pushed into the

field. Effective steps are taken to over come these problem in paddy field and to rice

transplanter.

Table 4.6 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of seedlings floating or scattered:


1. The depth of water in the field is over 3 cm.

• A pool is created on the wake of the floats and the seedlings adjacent to the pool fall into the pool.

• The posture of the transplanted seedlings is poor or the seedlings are floating.

Paddy Field Some water is drained out so that the depth of water is 3 cm. Rice Transplanter • The transplanting speed is

decreased, so that the water is not to disturbed.

• The transplanting depth is adjusted to the specified range.

2. The paddy field is too solid.

• The transplanted point is not filled with soil and the seedlings are floating as water is supplied into the field.

• The seedlings are damaged or scattered when they are pushed into the field.

Paddy Field • The field should be harrowing. • More water is supplied so that its

depth is 1to 2 cm to soften the field.

Rice Transplanter The transplanting speed and transplanting depth is adjusted.

3. The field is too soft.

• The floats sink down and push out mid.

• The floats push out mud and adjacent seedlings fall down.

• A pool is crated on the wake of the floats and the seedlings adjacent to the pool fall into the pool as mud comes into the pool.

Paddy Field. Some water is drained to harden the surface or stabilize the surface. (Stop transplanting and wait for a while.) Rice Transplanter • The feed sensor lever is moved to

the lower number not to push cut mud.

• The transplanting speed is decreased.

45

4.7.3 Other problems

When seedlings are too tall then the grippers hit-and push down the previously

transplanted seedlings. If there are too many foreign material in field than these

accumulated in the float. Remedial steps are taken to over come, these problems.

Table 4.7 Causes, Effects and Troubleshooting of other problems:


The seedlings are

too tall.

Transplanting 20

cm or taller

seedlings

• The grippers hit and push

down the previously

transplanted seedlings.

• The transplanted seedlings

are arched.

Seedlings

• The seedlings are cut out more 20

cm. height.

Rice Transplanter

• The transplanting depth is

increased a little bit.

• The transplanting speed is

decreased.

• The floats are raised up.

There are too

many foreign

materials in the

field.

The rice straws,

stumps or weeds

are still visible in

the harrowed

field.

• The seedlings cannot be

transplanted due to the

foreign materials. Or the

seedlings will poorly be

transplanted.

• The forging materials are

accumulated on the floats.

Paddy field

• Foreign materials are removed

when harrowing.

• Foreign materials are removed

before initial operation.

Rice Transplanter

• The transplanting depth is

increased a little bit.

• The transplanting speed is

decreased.

• The floats are raised up.

46

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION


This chapter deals with the conclusions and recommendations based on the findings and

their interpretations.

5.1 Conclusions

Based on the findings and their interpretation the following conclusions are drawn:

The cost of mechanical rice transplanting was estimated as Tk. 998 per ha. In contrast, the

cost of manual transplanting was determined as Tk 10,000 per ha, which include 320 man-

hour of labour cost.

For sustainable rice transplanter custom hire service entrepreneurship, it is important to

proper estimation of rice transplanter operating cost. The entrepreneurs do not have the

capacity to estimate the operating cost of the rice transplanter with detail cost estimation

procedure. Therefore, a simple and easy way of estimating operating cost of rice

transplanter for entrepreneur would be:

Rice transplanter operating cost

Tk./ha 677cost variable totalha.in UseAnnual

(Tk.) price purchase of 17.75%+ =

Seedling raising cost in trays for mechanical rice transplanting was about

Tk. 1,754 per ha, while in manual transplanting the cost was about Tk. 3,678 per ha.

Mechanical rice transplanting can save Tk. 1,924 per ha.

For both mechanical and manual rice transplanting land preparation and fertilizing cost

were same and estimated as Tk. 4,940 per ha. Similarly, cost of fertilizer for both manual

and mechanical rice transplanting is same and estimated as Tk. 7,440 per ha.

The total costs of manual and mechanical transplanting of rice seedlings were determined

as Tk. 15,132 per ha and Tk. 26,058 per ha respectively. Therefore, mechanical

47

transplanting of rice seedlings could save Tk. 10,926 per hectare over manual

transplanting method and found highly rewarding for development of rice transplanter

custom-hire service entrepreneurship.

For replacement of the existing rice transplanter on expiry of economic life, the

entrepreneur has to save an amount of Tk. 25,580 per year in a bank account.

Based on the operating cost, annual savings for replacement and a profit margin for the

entrepreneur, the rent-out charge of the rice transplanter is estimated as Tk. 1440 per

hectare.

Other financial parameters such as BCR, IRR and payback periods were found 1.44,

71.81% and 1.61 years, respectively for rice transplanter custom-hire service

entrepreneurs. Therefore,custom-hire services of rice transplanter highly profitable from

the viewpoint of individual investor.

Detail procedures for mechanical rice transplanter operation, maintenance and trouble

shooting are identified for the custom-hire service entrepreneurs of rice transplanter

custom-hire service for having better service and economic operations, which would have

been a great help for the entrepreneurs.

5.2 Recommendations

The mechanical rice transplanting is found suitable in terms of technical, agronomical and

financial performance over manual transplanting of rice seedlings, and recommended for

development of rice transplanter custom-hire service entrepreneurship. However, the

transplanting machine is not familiar to the farmers and custom hire service providers of

Bangladesh. To extend the benefits of mechanical rice transplanter among the farmers and

custom hire service providers, appropriate adoption and dissemination programs must be

launched all over Bangladesh. The agricultural engineers serving at Directorate of

Agricultural Extension (DAE) would be given responsibilities for shouldering the

activities. The private sector importing companies may also take responsibilities for

disseminating the technology.

48

The importing companies of the rice transplanter must provide operator’s training on

operation, repair & maintenance and raising of seedlings on trays, and after sales service

for repair and maintenance.

Considering the socio-economic conditions of the farmers and high initial cost for owning

mechanical rice transplanter, special agricultural credit should have to be extended to

small and marginal farmers and potential entrepreneurs. Public and private sector financial

institutions may come forward to extend this credit facility.

49

REFERENCES

Akita, K. and Tanaka, N. 1992. Effect of planting density and planting patterns of young

seedlings transplanting on the growth and yield of rice plants. Japan J. Crop Sci.

Aswin K. Goel, S. Swain and Debaraj Behera 1997. AMA. Vol. 40. No. 3 Effect of

seedling age on performance of Rice transplanter.

BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistical). 2008. Statistical Year Book. Statistics Division,

Ministry of planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,

Dhaka.P.56

Behera, B.K. 2000. Investigation on puddled soil characteristics in relation to performance

of self-propelled rice transplanter. Ph. D. diss. Dept. of Farm Machinery and Power

Engineering, G.B. Pant Univ. of Agriculture and Technology. Pantagar, India.

BRRI 1999. Farm Machinery and Post Harvest Technology Division unpublished data.

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.

BRRI. Annual Reportfor2008. Publ. no. 614. Joydebpur, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh.

Chowdhury, M.J.U., Andani, J. and Ahmed, N. 2000. Effect of variety and spacing on the

yield and yield components of transplant aman rice. Indian J. Agril. Sci.

Gaikwad, V.K. and Tripathi, R.N. 1970. Socio-Psychological factors Influencing

industrial Entrepreneurship in Rural areas. National Institute of Community

Development, Hyderabad.

Garg, I.K., C.P. Singh, and V.K. Sharma. 1982. Influence of Selected Seedling mat

parameters and planting speed on performance of rice transplanter. AMA.

13(2):27-33.

Garg, I.K., V.K. Sharma and J.S. Mahal. 1997. Development and field evaluation of

manually operated six row paddy transplanter. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia,

Africa and Latin America 28(4): 21-28.

50

Gittinger, J.P. 1994. Economic analysis of agricultural projects. Jhon Hopkins University

Press, Baltimore.

Hossain, M.M. 2001. Effect of seedling age on growth, Yield and yield contributing

characters of BINA dhan 6. M.S. thesis. Department of Crop Botany. Bangladesh

Agricl.Univ. pp.23-35

http://www. gregwatson.com/caterpillar-medium-wheel-loader-market-analysis/

Hunt, D.R. 1977. Farm Power and Machinery Management. Laboratory Manual and

Workshop. 7th ED. IOWA State University Press, 365.p.

Institute of Agricultural Machinery, 1977-1979. Test report on Rice transplanter (49

Machines) passed the national test.

Keikichi Kanai., Performance of Rice Transplanters as Evaluated by National Test in

Japan.

Kinght, Francis A. “Risk, Unceratinty and Profit Searching for the invisible man”. The

Economist (The Economist Newspaper Limited): pp. 67 2006-03-11

Mori, Y. 1975. Performance evaluation of rice transplanters evaluated by national test.

JARQ 9 (3): 152-155.

Mufti, A.I. and A.S. Khan. 1995. Performance evaluation of Yanmar paddy transplanter in

Pakisthan. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America 26(1):31-

36.

Okun and Divesta. 1976. Women Entrepreneurs Problems and Prospects, Blaze

Publications, New Delhi, India.

Pathak, 1972. The entrepreneur technician and manager in small scale units. Review of

Management, Economic and Political Weekly. 7(44) pp 179-187.

Schumpeter, Joseph A. “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy”, 1942.

Schumpeter, Joseph A. The Theory of Economic Development. 1911.

51

Singh and Hossain, 1983; Singh, 1985. Influence of Selected Seedling mat parameters and

planting speed on performance of rice transplanter. AMA. 13(1): 72-78.

Singh, C.P. and I.K Garg. 1979. Field evaluation of Japanese paddy transplanter. J. Agric.

Engg. 13(1): 15 -18.

Singh, G., Sharma, T R. and Bockhop, C.W., 1985. Field performance evaluation of a

manual rice transplanter. J. Agric. Engg. Anonymous, 2000, Survey of Indian

Agriculture, Hindu Publication

Singh, G., T.R. Sharma and C.W. Bockhop. 1985. Field performance evaluation of a

manual rice transplanter. J. Agril. Engg. Res. 23: 259-268

Tripathi, S.K., Jena, H.K. and Panda, P.K. 2004. Self-propelled rice transplanter for

economizing labour, Indian Fmg.

Ved Prakash Chaudhary and Varshney, B.P. 2003. Performance evaluation of self-

propelled rice transplanter under different puddle field conditions and

sedimentation periods. Agril. Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America

(AMA).

www. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneur (30/11/2011)

52

APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Cost items and operating cost of rice transplanter

Purchase price of Rice Transplanter (P) Tk 325,000Salvage value (10% of P) Tk 32,500Working life yr 8Interest on investment (10% of P) Tk/yr 19,175

Fixed cost items

Sheltering (1% of P) Tk/yr 3,250

Fuel consumption rate Lit/hr 1.3Fuel rate Tk/Lit 83Oil consumption rate (3% of fuel consume.) Lit/hr 0.039Oil rate Tk/Lit 350Repair and Maintenance cost (3.5% of P) Tk/yr 11,375

Variable cost items

Cost of operator(2 nos) Tk/hr 62.5

Average working hours per year hr/yr 600 Field capacity of rice transplanter ha/hr 0.30

CalculationsDepreciation Tk/yr 36,562.5Interest on investment Tk/yr 17,875Fixed cost Sheltering Tk/yr 3,250

Total fixed cost Tk/yr 57,687.5Total fixed cost Tk/hr 96.15Total fixed cost Tk/ha 321

Fuel Tk/hr 108Lubricant Tk/hr 13.65Repair and Maintenance cost Tk/hr 18.96

Variable cost

Cost of operator Tk/hr 62.5

Total variable cost Tk/yr 121,805Total variable cost Tk/hr 203Total variable cost Tk/ha 677Operating cost of rice transplanter Tk/ha 998Hiring cost of rice transplanter Tk/ha 1,440

Source: Hunt (1995)

53

Appendix 2. Thumb rule for estimating the operating cost

Fixed cost:

Depreciation, D S = 10% of purchase price = 8

1.0 PP −

= 0.1125 P

Interest on invest, I i = 10% = 1.02

1.0×

+ PP

= 0.055P

Sheltering 1% of purchase price = 0.01P

Total fixed cost = 0.1775P

Thumb rule for fixed cost = 17.75% of purchase price

Variable cost

Fuel Tk/hr 108

Lubricant Tk/hr 13.61

Repair and Maintenance cost Tk/hr 18.96

Cost of operator Tk/hr 62.5

Total variable cost Tk/hr 203

Average working hours per year hr/yr 600

Annual use in area ha/yr 180

Total variable cost

=(203×600) 180 ÷

=677 Tk./ha

Thumb rule for variable cost = Tk 677 of Area

54

Appendix 3. Cost items and different cost of mechanical and manual rice transplanter

Cost items Taka

Cost of seed (180 tray/ha; 120gm/tray) 770

Labour cost (3 man-day; Tk. 250/day) 750

Fertilizer + soil transportation cost 234 Seedling raising cost (rice transplanter)

Total 1,754

Cost of seed (35kg/ha; Tk. 35/kg) 1,225

Seed bed ploughing (Tk. 4940/ha) 173

Seedbed preparation and seedling cost (3 man-day; Tk. 250/day)

750

Watering (2man – day) 500

Weeding (2man – day) 500

Fertilizer (Urea) 30

Seedling uprooting and crying to main field (2man-day)

500

Seedling raising cost in seedbed

Total 3,678

Land preparation cost (Both)

Tk. 4940 per ha 4,940

Urea 170kg/ha Tk. 12/kg 2,040

TSP 100kg/ha Tk. 22/kg 2,200

MP 60kg/ha Tk. 15/kg 900

Zinc sulphate 10kg/ha Tk. 170/kg 1,700

Gypsum 60kg/ha Tk. 10/kg 600

Fertilizer cost (Both)

Total 7,440

Transplanting cost Operating cost of rice transplanter per ha 998

Transplanting cost (manual transplanting)

40man-day 10,000

Total cost rice transplanter = 15,132

Total cost manual transplanting = 26,058

Cost saved by mechanical transplanting per ha= 10,926

55

Appendix 4. Computation of Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate Return (IRR) of Mechanical Rice Transplanter

yr Fixed cost (Tk)

Variable cost (Tk/yr)

Operating cost or Gross cost

(Tk/yr)

Gross benefit

Incr Benefit (cash flow

(Tk))

DF at 10%

PWC at 10%

PWB at 10%

1 325000 121805.00 446805.00 259200.00 -187605.00 0.91 406186.36 235636.36 2 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.83 100665.29 214214.88 3 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.75 91513.90 194740.80 4 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.68 83194.45 177037.09 5 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.62 75631.32 160942.81 6 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.56 68755.75 146311.64 7 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.51 62505.22 133010.58 8 121805.00 121805.00 259200.00 137395.00 0.47 56822.93 120918.71

945275.23 1382812.87

PWCF at 10%

DF at 20%

PWCF at 20%

DF at 30%

PWCF at 30%

DF at 40%

PWCF at 40%

DF at 50%

PWCF at 50%

DF at 60%

-203277.27 0.83 -186337.50 0.77 -172003.85 0.71 -159717.86 0.67 -149070.00 0.625 83797.52 0.69 70413.19 0.59 59997.04 0.51 51732.14 0.44 45064.44 0.390625 76179.56 0.58 58677.66 0.46 46151.57 0.36 36951.53 0.30 30042.96 0.24414062569254.15 0.48 48898.05 0.35 35501.21 0.26 26393.95 0.20 20028.64 0.15258789162958.32 0.40 40748.38 0.27 27308.62 0.19 18852.82 0.13 13352.43 0.09536743257234.83 0.33 33956.98 0.21 21006.63 0.13 13466.30 0.09 8901.62 0.05960464552031.67 0.28 28297.48 0.16 16158.95 0.09 9618.79 0.06 5934.41 0.03725290347301.52 0.23 23581.24 0.12 12429.96 0.07 6870.56 0.04 3956.27 0.023283064

245480.30 3.84 118235.48 2.92 46550.13 2.33 4168.24 1.92 -21789.22 1.63 PWCF at 60% DF at

70% PWCF at 70% DF at



100% PWCF at

100% -139753.125 0.588 -131532.3529 0.556 -124225 0.52632 -117686.8421 0.500000 -111802.539607.42188 0.346 35084.77509 0.309 31294.75309 0.27701 28087.25762 0.250000 25348.7524754.63867 0.204 20638.10299 0.171 17385.97394 0.14579 14782.76717 0.125000 12674.37515471.64917 0.120 12140.06058 0.095 9658.874409 0.07673 7780.403772 0.062500 6337.18759669.780731 0.070 7141.212108 0.053 5366.041339 0.04039 4094.949354 0.031250 3168.593756043.612957 0.041 4200.713005 0.029 2981.134077 0.02126 2155.236502 0.015625 1584.2968753777.258098 0.024 2471.00765 0.016 1656.185598 0.01119 1134.335001 0.007813 792.14843752360.786311 0.014 1453.533912 0.009 920.1031102 0.00589 597.0184216 0.003906 396.0742188

-38067.98 1.41 -48402.95 1.24 -54961.93 1.10 -59054.87 1.00 -61501.07

BCR 1.44 NPV 2,45,518 Tk IRR 71.81% Payback period 1.61yrs

56

Appendix 5. Operating instruction, different type of adjustment and troubleshooting of operating Rice Transplanter

Items Operation

Main clutch lever • Pushing up power engaged. • Pushing down power disengaged.

Transplanting clutch lever • Lever engaged planting arms started to operate. • Lever disengaged planting arms stropped to operate.

Shift lever Used to select traveling speed and direction. Steering clutch lever Used to cut of the power to the wheel. Governor clutch lever Used to maintain high and low speed.

• Shift lever should be kept in neutral position. • Governor lever is on start position. • Fuel cock must be kept on.

Engine operation Starting

Stopping • Governor lever is turned to low position. • Stop button is pressed and fuel cock in closed. • Governor lever is turned is middle position. • Main clutch is placed up and transplanter will go. • During transplanting, the transplanter lever is placed

on operation position.

Transplanting operation Starting

Transplanting Stopping

• Governor lever is turned to low and clutch lever is put down.

Spacing between roots is chosen by controlling rod. • Standard spacing-Hill to hill space is 15cm. • Narrowly spacing-Hill to hill space is 13cm. • Widely spacing-Hill to hill space is 17cm. • Large no. of seedling required, seedling control lever

is put up. • Small amount seedling required, seedling control

lever is put down.

Adjustment: Spacing Seedling No. Transplanting • When lever is put up, depth is slight.

• When lever is put down, depth is deep. Trouble shooting Uneven growth of seedlings in seedbed.

• Cut out the poor seedlings section from the seedbed.

Too thin or thick seedbed. • Pushed the seedbed to compressed it and used only 2cm thick seedbed.

The seedlings are too tall • Cut the top of seedlings so that they are 20cm on less tall.

The depth of water in the field is over 3cm.

• Drain out water so that, the depth of water is less than 3cm.

57

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