Synchronized paddy cultivation using mechanical rice transplanting technology in Bangladesh

Abstract

<b>Abstract.</b> Synchronized cultivation is a novel method of rice farming in which the same variety of paddy is planted in one vast field at the same time by machine, bringing together the fields of many farmers. All procedures, from seedbed preparation until harvesting, are carried out in a synchronized manner with the intervention of mechanical equipment. Farmers were trained by the ASMIH-Bangladesh project participated in the program initiated by the Department of Agricultural Extension. The ASMIH-Bangladesh team provided technical knowledge and guidance. Synchronized paddy farming was carried out in the 2020 Boro season at Dumuria, Khulna, and in the 2021 Boro season at Purbadhala, Netrokona. Farmers have grouped together and given their land to paddy cultivation in order to achieve synchronized farming. There were 35 farmers‘ households in Dumuria, Khulna, and 51 farmers‘ households in Purbadhala, Netrokona. The mechanical rice transplanter was used to transplant 20 hectares of land in both locations. At Dumuria, Khulna, 1500 tray seedlings were grown on plastic trays and 3700 tray equivalent seedlings were grown on polythene mat. In Purbadhala, Netrokona, 2000 tray seedlings were grown on a plastic tray, while 3500 tray equivalent seedlings were grown on a polythene mat. The seedlings were transplanted using an ACI Daedong DP-480 and a Yanmar rice transplanter machine. During the mechanical rice transplanting operation, ASMIH-Bangladesh trained local service providers were involved. Farmers considered mechanical rice transplanting to be a useful technology for paddy transplanting, since it reduces time and labor as compared to traditional seed growing and manual transplanting and can reduce upto 47% cost, respectively.