Paddy Harvesting Research Articles

Effect of rice husk ash addition on the physical properties of soda-lime-silica glass for building glass and window panel

Demand for eco-friendly materials are increasing each year due to their excellent properties, which has proved to contribute in developing sustainable environment. One of the promising raw materials in producing glass is rice husk, a waste product from paddy harvesting, which contains about 90% of silica. Rice husks are usually burnt in an open area and contributed to serious air pollution problems. In this research, Soda-Lime-Silica Rice Husk Ash (SLRHA) glass which is a new combination of soda lime silicate (SLS) glass and rice husk ash (RHA) was developed for building glass and window application. The physical properties of the developed SLS-RHA glass system is presented in this paper. Based on the ultrasonic velocities test, sample with 5% of RHA was found to possess high and medium elastic properties including easy to bend rather than elongate, less stiff, tough at a certain direction and has low rigidity. Sample with 0% and 10% of RHA showed medium and poor elastic properties, respectively. High hardness value of the RHA glass was achieved using combinations of 60 to 120 Rockwell hardness test scale with up to 2% RHA. By considering the results from both tests, sample with 0% to 5% of RHA was considered to be the optimum formulation in the production of building glass and window panel.

Reasons and Awareness Levels of Farmers on Residue Burning in Indo-Gangetic Plain of India: An Exploratory Research

The study examines reasons for the burning of crop residue, awareness of the impact of the burning of crop residue, and government approaches to mitigating the burning. Data from 180 farmers from three districts of the state of Haryana was sought. Rank Based Quotient method was used to identify reasons. At the same time, awareness was assessed by direct questioning. The study concludes that the short window time between paddy harvesting and showing wheat was a primary reason for stubble burning. Research also shows that harvesting is expensive and time-consuming, causing farmers to burn. Most farmers were aware of the various adverse effects of burning on soil health (73.89%), air health (100%), and human health (81.66%). Everybody was aware of the ban on crop residue burning and other government measures, but they have no other viable options other than burning. Policymakers, therefore, must focus on feasible options that are acceptable in farmers' socio-economic conditions.

Modeling the Relationship between Rice Yield and Climate Variables Using Statistical and Machine Learning Techniques

This paper presents the application of a multiple number of statistical methods and machine learning techniques to model the relationship between rice yield and climate variables of a major region in Sri Lanka, which contributes significantly to the country’s paddy harvest. Rainfall, temperature (minimum and maximum), evaporation, average wind speed (morning and evening), and sunshine hours are the climatic factors considered for modeling. Rice harvest and yield data over the last three decades and monthly climatic data were used to develop the prediction model by applying artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machine regression (SVMR), multiple linear regression (MLR), Gaussian process regression (GPR), power regression (PR), and robust regression (RR). The performance of each model was assessed in terms of the mean squared error (MSE), correlation coefficient (R), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean squared error ratio (RSR), BIAS value, and the Nash number, and it was found that the GPR-based model is the most accurate among them. Climate data collected until early 2019 (Maha season of year 2018) were used to develop the model, and an independent validation was performed by applying data of the Yala season of year 2019. The developed model can be used to forecast the future rice yield with very high accuracy.

Sentinel1による北朝鮮の2020年の水田収穫面積の推定

Sentinel1による北朝鮮の2020年の水田収穫面積の推定

Mechanical analysis of cluster-grain separator device of a new head of paddy harvesting machine

This paper presents stress and strain analysis of outer shaft shoulder (OSS) and inner shaft shoulder (ISS) of a new paddy harvesting head (PHH) using finite element method (FEM). Snapping grain unit is a part of this head, with OSS and ISS as its members. The analysis was performed using the ABAQUS software with Dynamics Explicit Solution Method. Eight-node block and four-node tetrahedral elements were used to mesh the parts of the head. After the analyses, the stress and strain curves, and their maximum values were estimated for various parts. Analytical method was used to verify the FEM results and to calculate the factor of safety (FS) of the OSS and ISS components and also to estimate the number of cycles to failure of each component. The maximum amount of force applied to each tooth of shoulder was 4.29 Nmm-1. The maximum stress in both shoulders was obtained as 44.43 MPa. Other results showed, fatigue factors of safety for all components were less than their relevant yield factor of safety. Therefore, the fatigue in components would occur first. The study showed the predicted life for OSS and ISS components is more than 106 cycles, thus the components have an infinite-life. A fitted regression line to the data showed that the calculated stresses from analytical method lie within bounds of 7.89 % of the predicted values with a coefficient of determination of 0.98. Hence, it could be concluded that there is a good agreement between the analytical and FEM results.

Artificial Neural Network to Estimate the Paddy Yield Prediction Using Climatic Data

Paddy harvest is extremely vulnerable to climate change and climate variations. It is a well-known fact that climate change has been accelerated over the past decades due to various human induced activities. In addition, demand for the food is increasing day-by-day due to the rapid growth of population. Therefore, understanding the relationships between climatic factors and paddy production has become crucial for the sustainability of the agriculture sector. However, these relationships are usually complex nonlinear relationships. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are extensively used in obtaining these complex, nonlinear relationships. However, these relationships are not yet obtained in the context of Sri Lanka; a country where its staple food is rice. Therefore, this research presents an attempt in obtaining the relationships between the paddy yield and climatic parameters for several paddy grown areas (Ampara, Batticaloa, Badulla, Bandarawela, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Kurunegala, and Puttalam) with available data. Three training algorithms (Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), Bayesian Regularization (BR), and Scaled Conjugated Gradient (SCG)) are used to train the developed neural network model, and they are compared against each other to find the better training algorithm. Correlation coefficient (R) and Mean Squared Error (MSE) were used as the performance indicators to evaluate the performance of the developed ANN models. The results obtained from this study reveal that LM training algorithm has outperformed the other two algorithms in determining the relationships between climatic factors and paddy yield with less computational time. In addition, in the absence of seasonal climate data, annual prediction process is understood as an efficient prediction process. However, the results reveal that there is an error threshold in the prediction. Nevertheless, the obtained results are stable and acceptable under the highly unpredicted climate scenarios. The ANN relationships developed can be used to predict the future paddy yields in corresponding areas with the future climate data from various climate models.

Manduda Dance in Simalungun Community Dancing Style in a Contextual Perspective

This study aims to explain: 1) the relationship of body attitude in Manduda Dance with the activities of the Simalungun community; 2) the relationship between the type of transition in Manduda dance and the activities of Simalungun community; 3) the relationship between the number of active body part in Manduda dance and the patterns of daily activities of Simalungun community; 4) the relationship between business forms and the patterns of study is the formulation of dance style in Manduda dance on Simalungun community in a contextual perspective. The research method used is a qualitative-anthropological approach, specifically called choreometrics, which is to analyze the relationship between dance movements including body attitude, type of transition, the number of active body part, and the forms of business with patterns of daily community activities. Observation, documentation, and interview techniques were used to collect data and then the triangulation data analysis process was carried out to obtain the credibility of the data. The results of this study found that both viewed from body attitude, type of transition, the number of active body part, as well as the forms of effort contained in Manduda dance, were very closely related to the patterns of daily activities of Simalungun community patterned with paddy harvesting agricultural activities.

Custom Hiring Service of Reaper for Harvesting Paddy

Paddy harvesting is labor and time intensive operation. There is an acute shortage of labor in pick paddy harvesting seasons in Bangladesh that promotes the growing market potential for providing hiring services of reaper by small entrepreneur to the farmers. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the economic performance of Custom Hiring Service (CHS) of reaper for harvesting paddy in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected through field experiments and survey at Dumuria, Wazirpur, Subarnachar and Kalapara Upazilas of Khulna, Barisal, Noakhali and Patuakhali districts, respectively, of Bangladesh during six paddy harvesting seasons. Economic analyses for CHS of reaper were also carried out in the study. Operating costs were calculated and financial profitability was determined by four major financial parameters, namely, benefit-cost ratio (BCR), net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period. The BCR of the reaper was found 2.04 which indicate that the reaper is highly profitable for the hiring service. Considering 10% discount rate, NPV of the reaper was found BDT.426106 which indicates that reaper can be considered as financially viable. The estimated IRR of the reaper was found 91%, which is far greater than the bank rate of interest (9%). The payback period of the reaper was found 1.06 years. The break-even use of the reaper was found 14.79 ha per year. Major indicators in this analysis show that the investment on a reaper is highly profitable for custom hiring service. This analysis also supports for growing custom hiring service market of reaper in rural Bangladesh.

Provision of custom hiring service of mini-combine harvester for paddy harvesting: an experimental evidence from Bangladesh

This research work was carried out to determine economic parameter of mini-combine harvester for paddy harvesting operation as custom hiring services (CHS) in Bangladesh. For determining economic parameter, four study areas were selected and several experiments were conducted during harvesting of Aman-2016, Boro-2017, Aman-2017 and Boro-2018 paddy at Khulna, Barisal, Noakhali and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh using a mini-combine harvester. The BCR for the mini-combine harvester is 1.52 which indicates the high profit of this hiring service. The payback period of mini-combine harvester was determined as 2.41 year. The break-even point of mini combine harvester is 9.24 ha. The mini-combine harvester will run on fully profit basis if it can be used after that minimum ha. There is a great opportunity to use a mini-combine harvester through CHS by a local service provider (LSP) and custom-hire entrepreneur to avoid initial investment.

Provision of custom hiring service of mini-combine harvester for paddy harvesting: an experimental evidence from Bangladesh

Provision of custom hiring service of mini-combine harvester for paddy harvesting: an experimental evidence from Bangladesh

Combine Harvester: Impact on paddy production in Bangladesh

Due to migration of agricultural labor in non-farm sectors and increasing climate vulnerability it is a great challenge to keep pace of food production for the exponential growth of population in Bangladesh. For following the traditional paddy harvesting methods, significant amount of field losses has been occurred in every year. The study was conducted to evaluate performance of combine harvester in comparison to manual harvesting of paddy and identify the impact on agricultural production system in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted at Wazirpur Upazila of Barisal district during Aman-2018 paddy harvesting using a combine harvester and also, manual harvesting was conducted at the same location. Financial analysis of combine harvester over manual method was carried out for comparison. Cost savings in mechanical harvesting of paddy were found 57.61% for using combine harvester over manual harvesting. Similarly, labors savings for using combine harvester was found 70% over manual harvesting. The estimated BCR of combine harvester is found 1.55. The break-even use of combine harvester is 35 ha/yr which indicates a combine harvester must operate above 35 ha/yr to have profit. The combine harvester will run on fully profit basis if it could be used after that minimum hectares. The average total harvesting losses (including harvesting, threshing and cleaning) were also found 1.61% and 6.08% for using combine harvester and manual harvesting, respectively. The losses of paddy will be reduced 4.47% using combine harvester over manual harvesting. The above results revealed that manual harvesting is a labor and cost involving system. On the other hand, mechanical harvester like combine harvester is a time, labor and cost saving system along with reducing harvesting losses. As a result, total paddy production might be increased, and which will help to contribute significantly to the development of livelihood status of rural community of Bangladesh. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(4): 583–591, 2019

Assessment of paddy harvesting practices of Southern Delta Region in Bangladesh

Paddy in Bangladesh is an important cereal crop for national food security. Harvesting is the process of collecting mature paddy from the field. Timely harvesting operation is known as crucial and influential processes on quantity, quality and production cost of paddy. The aim of the study was to assess the manual and mechanical harvesting systems of paddy in southern delta region of Bangladesh in terms of labor cost, infield harvesting losses, and time required for harvesting. Several experiments were conducted to compare mechanical and manual harvesting systems. Mechanical harvesting of Aman paddy (November-December 2016) and Boro paddy (April-May 2017) was conducted using two models of reaper and a mini-combine harvester at Dumuria and Wazirpur Upazilas of Khulna and Barisal districts, respectively. An experiment was also conducted at the same locations to determine labor requirement and time for harvesting paddy manually. To determine manual harvesting loss, an experiment was conducted at BAU farm, Mymensingh. Total cost savings in paddy harvesting were found 52% and 37% for mini-combine harvester and reaper, respectively over manual harvesting system. Similarly, labor savings using mini-combine harvester and reaper were found 65% and 52%, respectively over manual harvesting system. The total harvesting losses (including harvesting, threshing and cleaning) were also found 1.24%, 4.22% and 6.36% for using mini-combine, reaper and manual harvesting systems, respectively. The results indicated that manual harvesting is a slow and cost involving system. On the other hand, lack of awareness among farmers about the benefits of mechanical harvesting system and lack of skill manpower for operating and servicing harvesters are major barriers for adopting mechanized harvesting system in southern delta region. This study revealed that mechanical harvesting of paddy using either reaper or mini-combine harvester will assist to strengthen food security in southern delta of Bangladesh.
 Progressive Agriculture, Vol. 30, Suppl. 1: 57-64, 2019

Leptospirosis Outbreak during Rice Harvesting Season in Kebumen, Central Java Indonesia (The First Case Report in Kebumen)

Leptospirosis, a public health problem in Indonesia, has never been reported in Kebumen before, but Kebumen Public Health Office reported several new leptospirosis cases in this regency during paddy harvesting season in February 2017. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate leptospirosis epidemiology (eg, the reservoir animals, the geographical distribution, and specific populations at risk) in Kebumen on March 2017. Thirty febrile patients were enrolled in Public Health Services and tested for leptospirosis using Leptotek. The positive cases were investigated by interview and site inspection to assess environmental risks. Rat traps were set randomly at housing areas near the positive cases's house in Kuwarasan and Buayan subdistricts. Kidneys were removed from rats and analysed using PCR assay for pathogenic Leptospira detection. Thirteen positive leptospirosis cases out of 30 febrile patients were found in 6 subdistricts consisted of Kuwarasan (30.7%), Buayan (30.7%), Karanganyar (7.7%), Gombong (7.7%), Sempor (7.7%) and Sruweng (15.4%). 92, 31% of the patients were farmers, indicating occupational exposures at paddy fields. Most of the case were in the age group of 31–40 years (53, 85%). High vulnerability among males due to activities in outdoor settings was revealed from male to female ratio (12: 1). Clinical symptoms consisted of calf muscle pain (100%), jaundice (84.6%), oliguria (38.5%) and renal failure (15.4%), with case fatality rate was 23, 08%. Rats (Bandicotta indica) with positive Leptospira were found at Kuwarasan subdistrict (6.25%). Based on the results of this study, paddy harvesting season is a critical period associated with leptospirosis transmission in Central Java. Indeed, preventive efforts should be done to avoid leptospirosis outbreak

The Analysis of Quality of Paddy Harvest Yield to Support Food Security: A System Thinking Approach (Case Study: East Java)

Rice (Oryza Sativa) is a staple food for the people in Indonesia. East Java Province is a province with potential agricultural in Indonesia. East Java has advantages in agriculture and has a role in the national food sector. Population in Indonesia is projected to reach 271.1 million by 2020. East Java’s population growth rate from 2010 to 2017 was 0.64% with consumption of 213,783 tons of rice in 2018. Raw materials such as paddy, are perishable materials that require fast and precise handling. When handling is not right it will cause a loss of the results of high quality and quantity, this can be harmful to farmers because it will affect their income. This study uses a system dynamic to build the conceptual model (Causal Loop Diagram) to improving the quality of paddy yields to support food security. The results of study are a model that has some useful information regarding factors that affect the quality paddy. This can be used as decision support by the government for decision making about policies that will be applied to improve the quality of paddy harvest yields for support food security. Further research can be carried out by simulating several scenarios to predict the state of the rice farming system in the future.

Increased rate of potassium fertilizer at the time of heading enhances the quality of direct seeded rice

BackgroundPotassium (K) is not easily assimilated into organic matter but helps to improve rice quality. Paddy yield and its quality depend on the correct time of fertilization and harvesting (days after flowering) in the field.MethodsChanges in the grain quality of (Oryza sativa L.) were studied in a field experiment over two dry seasons using three rates of muriate of potash (MOP; 60% K2O) as 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kg/ha applied at the time of heading (7 weeks after planting—WAP). Paddy samples were harvested during 25, 30 (control), 35 and 40 days after 50% flowering (DAFF). Grain yield and physico-chemical characteristics of grain were studied after harvesting.ResultsThe impact of seasons and treatments’ interactions was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) and, hence, data were averaged over two seasons. Length, breadth, true density and bulk density of rice grains were the highest with 37.5 kg MOP/ha applied at heading and harvested at 30–35 DAFF. Crude protein (6.24%) and crude fat (2.61%) contents in grains were the highest when harvested at 40 DAFF and 35–40 DAFF, respectively. Amylose content decreased with increased MOP rates at the time of heading and delayed paddy harvest. The highest average paddy yield (APY; 6.85 t/ha), head rice yield (HRY; 65%) and total rice milling yield (TMY; 67%) were recorded with 37.5 kg MOP/ha applied at heading of rice plant and paddy harvested at 35 DAFF. The APY, HRY and TMY were also 13.8, 7.7 and 5.9% higher, respectively, compared to the control. Applying K fertilizer at a rate 50% more (18.75 kg K/ha) than the recommended rate at the time of heading (7 WAP) and harvesting paddy at optimum maturity (35 DAFF), which is 5 days later than the recommendation, increase the yield and grain quality of direct seeded rice. Harvesting later than 35 DAFF resulted in a 10.5% loss of HRY (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe present study showed that K fertilizer applied at the rate of 37.5 kg MOP/ha at the time of heading 50% higher than the recommended rate is the best among K fertilizer treatments to obtain the highest HRY.

Design of Ergonomic Paddy Harvesting Machine

The process of harvesting paddy with a sickle is still done by the absence of a paddy harvesting machine in accordance with the existing agricultural land in Indonesia at a low price, where agricultural land in Indonesia is narrowly averaged with a bumpy topography condition. Combine harvester engines are not yet possible for use on these lands. Therefore it is necessary to research the design of an ergonomic paddy harvesting machine. The purpose of this research is to design an ergonomic paddy harvester. This research uses the method of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) because the method is very suitable to be used in product development in accordance with consumer expectation and desire. The results of this research indicate that there are nine attribute consumer needs in designing paddy harvesting machine that is; portable, cheap, multifunctional, lightweight, ergonomic, maximum speed, easy to disassemble, easy to maintain, and spare parts easily available. From the nine attributes of consumer needs, a discussion with experts in the field of rice harvesting machine that produces some technical requirements are; material type, blade, motor drive, unloading slot, wheel, long handle of a knife. This paddy harvesting machine can help farmers to harvest paddy and increase paddy harvesting capacity.

Performance evaluation of modified BAU self-propelled reaper for paddy

Bangladesh has an agrarian economy in which paddy is the dominant crop. A significant amount of field losses of paddy occurs every year due to natural calamities and a shortage of time during the harvesting period. During this study, a modification was done on locally developed BAU self-propelled reaper and its performance was compared with manual harvesting system of paddy. Several experiments were conducted in Boro paddy (April–May 2017) and Aman paddy harvesting (November–December 2017) at BAU farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University after necessary modification works in the workshop. An experiment was also conducted on Aman paddy in 2017 at BAU farm for determining manual harvesting cost. The technical and economic performances of the modified BAU self-propelled reaper were determined based on the field experiments. Results reveal that average fuel consumption, effective field capacity and field efficiency were 2.71 L/ha, 0.255 ha/h and 77.27%, respectively for the modified BAU self-propelled reaper and 2.88 L/ha, 0.25 ha/h and 75.76%, respectively for the existing BAU self-propelled reaper. These results indicated that field performances of modified BAU self-propelled reaper were better than that of the existing BAU reaper. Paddy harvesting cost was found 916 Tk/ha for modified BAU self-propelled reaper and 9200 Tk/ha for manual harvesting system. The benefit-cost ratio of the modified BAU self-propelled reaper was 2.18. Considering the technical and economic performances, modified BAU self-propelled reaper was found suitable than the existing BAU reaper. So, the modified BAU self-propelled reaper may be introduced in Bangladesh in the commercial basis.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 171-177, August 2018

Mabbissa Galung: Studi of Attaurioloang Tradition on Maqasid Syariah Values of Buginese Community in Sidenreng Rappang

This study aims to explore the character and practice of Bugis Sidenreng Rappang community in light of interconnectedness of mystical model of Mabissagalung (paddy harvesting tradition) with maqashid syariah. This qualitative study uses historical, Phenomenological as well as Philosophical in analyzing gathered information both from the informants and literature. The primary and the secondary data were presented descriptively in a narrative way. This study reveals that the tradition of Mabissagalung is part of Attaurioloang tradition which is rich mystical practices and values. In practice, the black rooster and white rooster and some other offerings, for example, coconut, and Panini (turmeric) conducted by Mado (an ethnic leader) represent the mystical belief that such offerings could take over the place of pests residing in the paddy field which could harm the quality of the harvest. The representation of fire, water, earth and wind as the symbol of life is portrayed in the sticky rice’s colour. In the Maqashid of sharia which is very emphasized by keeping religion, soul, offspring and keeping the treasure. With the consideration of the five elements of the Maqashid, Mabissagalung is in line with the values undertaken by the farmers in keeping the tradition.

Introduction of imidazolinone herbicide and Clearfield® rice between weedy rice—control efficiency and environmental concerns

Water scarcity and increasing labor costs of rice cultivation have prompted many agro-ecosystems in the world to adopt the direct-seeded rice (DSR) method instead of the hand-transplanting method. However, there is a downside to this approach, which is the prevalence and spread of weedy rice (WR), a troublesome weed in paddy fields that has the potential to cause a 90% loss of total yield in high-infested areas. The progression, infestation, and dynamics of WR are linked to environmental circumstances, types of rice cultivar, established techniques, and field management. WR is viewed as a critical problem, as it may prove counterproductive in rice cultivation because it causes an overall increase in the production cost of paddy harvesting. For the purpose of our discussion, a method is explored that can be used to eliminate, or at least mitigate, the spread of WR, which is the Clearfield® Production System (CPS). This method consists of imidazolinone (IMI) herbicide, Clearfield® certified seeds, and the Stewardship Guide. However, use of the CPS has been known to negatively affect the environment, as it transfers resistance traits to WR, increasing IMI persistence in the cultivated soils, and contaminating soils and water with herbicide residues. These negative environmental effects could be dealt with by using integrated weed management systems (IWMS) that include the use of all viable tools and should be incorporated with the proper Stewardship Guide to reduce the growth of herbicide-resistant WR. This review aims to elucidate information pertaining to WR infestation, the characteristics thereof, sustainable techniques for WR control, IMI herbicides, and diverse methods for the extraction and determination of IMI residues in the environment. Understanding the conspecific nature of WR serves as a baseline for constructing novel WR control strategies in the future.

Performance evaluation of power-operated reapers for harvesting rice at farmers’ field

Harvesting is one of the major labor intensive works in rice cultivation. Appropriate harvesting machinery is urgently needed to reduce labor and production costs. Production cost of rice becomes high due to labor shortage and high wage rate during harvesting time. Techno-economic performance of Korean self-propelled reaper (KR), China self-propelled reaper (CR) and BRRI reaper (BR) were evaluated in order to identify the field constrains and problems of the reapers at Mithapukur of Rangpur, Bangladesh during Aman season of 2013. The actual field capacities of the KR, CR and BR were found 0.18, 0.17 and 0.15 ha h–1with the corresponding field efficiency of 55, 68 and 56%, respectively. The variation of field capacity among the models was due to turning time losses, weight of the reaper and operator’s skill. The fuel consumption of the reapers was 4.11, 2.61 and 8.39 l ha–1 for KR, CR and BR, respectively. The shattering loss of paddy harvesting was 1.66, 1.50 and 1.45% for KR, CR and BR, respectively. The break-even area of the reapers was 9.15, 7.82 and 8.43 ha yr-1 for KR, CR and BR, respectively. It is evident that the reaper could be used successfully as labor saving and user friendly technology to eliminate post-harvest problems in Bangladesh.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(1): 144-150, April 2018