An Economic Assessment of Different Threshing Methods for Rice in Bangladesh

Abstract

Threshing is one of the most important post harvest operation of grains. Along with Traditional threshing, mechanical threshing methods such as, Pedal threshing, Open-drum power threshing and Power threshing are being used in Bangladesh. ln this study different cost, capacities and ratios of the threshing methods were calculated and compared along with different economic and financial indicators to appraise financial profitability of these methods. Data were collected from a sample of 50 farmers of Barshanta village of Atrai Upazila under Naogaon District. Mean values of this data were used for various calculations in this study. The operating cost of Pedal threshing (30.173 Tk/hr was found lower and followed by Power threshing (53.5 Tk/hr, Traditional threshing (84.67 Tk/hr) and Open-drum power threshing (122.09 Tk/hr). The throughput capacity of Open-drum power threshing (1158.40 kg/hr) was found significantly higher in compare to other threshing methods and Traditional threshing (74.94 kglhr) method appeared as lowest. The throughput cost of Power threshing (0.073 Tk/kg) and Pedal threshing (0.089 Tk/kg) were found almost same and appeared as economic. The throughput cost of Open-drum power threshing (0.112 Tk/kg) was found close to those throughputs cost and was significantly lower than Traditional threshing. The Benefit-Cost Ratio of Power threshing (1.4) was found highest followed by Pedal threshing (1.325), Open-drum power threshing (1.228) and Traditional threshing (1.02). Gross Margin of Traditional threshing (63.05 Tk/hr) was found significantly greater and followed by Power threshing (35.96 Tk/hr), Open drum power threshing (35.5 Tk/hr) and Pedal threshing (15.16 Tk/hr). Whereas, Net Margin of Open-drum power threshing (27.92Tk/hr) was found highest and Traditional threshing (2.13 Tk/hr) was lowest. The substitution proposition by partial budget analysis showed clear superiority of Open-drum power threshing over other threshing methods, and incurred net gains. Considering various costs ratios and financial indicators along with present socio-economic status and facilities available to farmers, Open-drum power threshing and Power threshing may have been considered as most promising threshing method for the farmers of Bangladesh.