Commercializing Mechanical Rice Transplanter in Bangladesh: A Review

Abstract

Labor scarcity, especially during peak periods, significantly challenges Bangladesh's agriculture. The widespread adoption of mechanical transplanting in rice cultivation holds the potential to address this challenge. Commercializing this technology could open significant opportunities for small and marginal farmers, ultimately bolstering food security in Bangladesh. This review paper assesses the economic feasibility of mechanical transplanting compared to manual methods. The study involved an extensive literature review of relevant research literature, journals, conference papers and academic presentations to gather and analyze pertinent data. Manual operated transplanters, particularly the riding type are well suited for small scale farmers due to their user friendliness and higher field capacity. Eight row transplanters are recommended for more significant operations or business oriented farms, surpassing their four and six row counterparts in field capacity, efficiency and operational speed. Within the category of walking type transplanters, the six row variant is more fuel efficient than its four row counterpart which excels in functional utility. Mechanical transplanting is a cost effective and advantageous practice in Bangladesh, delivering higher yields at a reduced cost. The availability of an affordable and accessible transplanter is imperative in the Bangladeshi context.