Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

The cost analysis for use of bullock drawn turmeric planter were calculated. The cost of sowing with the bullock drawn planter was found to be Rs. 27.50/hr whereas with traditional methods by manually planting of turmeric by placing seed was found to be only Rs. 23.75/hr. The actual field capacity of the bullock drawn planter was 0.230 ha/hr and 0.055 ha/hr, respectively. Thus, the cost of sowing per hectare with bullock drawn planter was Rs. 119.5/ ha and Rs. 431.82 /ha, respectively. Therefore, it may be said that sowing with bullock drawn planter is 3.5 times economical than traditional method. In addition to economy, the timely completion of sowing operation as well as enhanced production is an unparallel advantage for the use of planter. Total cost required for the planting of turmeric by manual dibbling is 13000 Rs/day.

Total cost of operation of planter were observed with traditional methods 167.99 Rs/hr. Cost of operation of pair of bullocks were observed with traditional methods was 52.8 Rs/hr. and Total cost of operation of pair of bullocks 156.9 Rs/hr. Total operating cost required for cover 1 ha land by bullock drawn turmeric planter 2014.19 Rs/ha. Hence, we got the time required to cover time for 1 ha planting of turmeric planter of width 1.2 m & length of 1 ha land 83333.3 m. were 6.94 hr./ ha observed.

At present, it is observed that the farmers in the state had faced problems in turmeric planting due to lack of labour shortage. Turmeric rhizomes are planted by manually in the furrows by dibbling at a spacing of 30 x 30cm, and 15 x 15 cm. After dibbling the rhizomes are covered with the loose soil by the hand. Manual planting of turmeric is both labours intensive and costly, resulting in various problems for farmers. During manual planting, the labours have to dig the soil to sow turmeric. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to comparison of cost of planting with developed planter with respect to traditional methods. The rhizome planter was designed to suit various soil types and conditions to perform several functions simultaneously by opening the furrows, planting of rhizomes and covering of rhizomes by soil and forming ridges in single pass.

The developed implement is expected to improve the timeliness and efficiency of operation as well as reduce drudgery and cost of turmeric production. The availability of easy to use bullock drawn turmeric planter for farmers can alleviate these problems substantially, and can also help to maintain timely planting and reduce the farmers’ drudgery. At present, it is observed that the farmers in the state had faced problems in turmeric planting due to lack of labour shortage. Therefore, it is essential to develop a rhizome planter for mechanizing planting of turmeric, with bullock for small and marginal farmers. The turmeric is planted in beds or ridges. Mechanizing planting operation results in uniform plant spacing, depth and aids further mechanization of intercultural operations that will reduce the total production cost and increase yield and productivity. The present study was hence, planned to evaluate bullock drawn turmeric planter.