Background:
In India, seeds are sown by broadcasting and drilling by tifan or traditional implements. They give non uniform distribution of seeds which in turn gave excessive plant population and uneven plant spacing’s. Non uniformity in seed plating and plant population results in reduced yield. The existing pneumatic systems are operated by tractor but are costlier. The costs of the tractor drawn pneumatic planters are very high which limits its use by the small and marginal farmers. Therefore, considering the economic conditions of the farmers a low cost ICAR-CIAE Tractor drawn engine operated six row drum type precision pneumatic planter with fertilizer drill for multi-crops suitable for plain, raised beds, ridges and furrow systems was developed to provide solutions to the existing methods.:
Technology Details:
ICAR-CIAE Tractor drawn engine operated six row drum type precision pneumatic planter with fertilizer drill for multi-crops suitable for plain, raised beds, ridges and furrow systems was developed and evaluated in the field. Cost of machine is Rs. 92500 (without raised bed/ridges system) Rs. 1,12,500/- (with raised bed/ridges system) which is very low as compare with the existing technologies available in the market. Metering mechanism used for seed is drum type and fertilizer are vertical plate type. The overall weight of machine supported by two wheels along with tractor is about 265 kg. The cost of operation of the machine for sowing of the multi-crops is Rs 1100-3200/ha. It is the light weight equipment as compare to existing systems in the market and can be easily carried by a farmer to the field. This equipment is suitable for multi-crops. Use of the multi seed cum fertilizer planters can save seeds and cost compared to drilling by traditional methods. The developed equipment can be used by small farmers.