Evaluating the economic feasibility of tractor operated broad bed furrow planter cum fertilizer applicator

Abstract

BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator accomplishes both the operations of planting and fertilizer application simultaneously in a single operation. Performance of developed machine was evaluated in soybean crop. Cost has been worked out as per the standard procedure and comparison made in terms of labour saving to determine the economic feasibility of the machines. It had been estimated that the break-even point (BEP) calculated on time basis for BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator was 109.33 h/yr. The payback period calculated on time basis for BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator was found to be a little over 2.46 years. Cost of planting and fertilizer application through BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator can save cost up to 55.78 per cent as compared to the traditional method of sowing like manually by hand dibbling. The performance evaluation of BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator was carried out with four forward speed of operations i.e., 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 km/h among which 3.43 speed of operation was found to be best. The obtained B-C ratio was found to be 3.25. Highlights The expenditure in development and fabrication of BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator Rs. 85700. Using the BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator farmer save Rs. 1565 /ha over the manual methods.The payback period for the BBF planter cum fertilizer applicator was about 2.46 years.