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
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DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR CUSTOM HIRE SERVICE OF RICE TRANSPLANTER IN BANGLADESH
..................................................... 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,
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University,
Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
The author would like to extend deep appreciation to Anisur Rahman, Assistant Professor,
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University,
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
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University,
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
4.1 Financial Performance of Mechanical Rice Transplanter
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
LIST OF CONTENTS (Contd.)
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
LIST OF CONTENTS (Contd.)
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
= 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
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 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:
Cause Result Troubleshooting
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:
Cause Result Troubleshooting
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
5.0 General Introduction
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.
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.