The Improvement and validation of two-wheel tractor operated potato planter for profitable potato production

Abstract

Potato planting operation are carried out manually, which are time consuming, costly and labour intensive. To address the issue of potato planting, a power tiller operated potato planter was improved in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). Modifications were done on potato cup, seed hopper, bed shaper and furrow opener.  The performance of the planter was evaluated at BARI, Gazipur, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Jashore; Tuber Crops Research Station (TCRS), Bogura and Breeders Seed Production Station (BSPS), Debiganj, Panchagarh during Rabi (dry winter) season of 2017-20. Effective field capacity and field efficiency of the planter were 0.11 ha/h and 78.57%, respectively. Yield of BARI Alu-36 at BARI, Gazipur were not varied with the planting methods. Potato planter saved 89% labour requirement and 81% planting cost, respectively compare to manual potato planting method. Though potato yield was not varied between planted with potato planter and manual methods at farmer’s field in Bogura but the statistically higher yield was found in machine planted field at TCRS, Bogura with BARI Alu-41. But yield of BARI Alu-41 in machine planted fields was not varied with planting methods at farmer’s field in Jashore. Yield of BARI Alu-36 at RARS, Jashore was not varied with the planting methods. But yields of BARI Alu-36 were higher in machine planted plot than the manual method at farmer’s field of Jashore Sadar and Jhikorgachha in Jashore. Net return from BARI potato planter was Taka 111693 per season. The payback period and benefit cost ratio (BCR)of the planter were 1.61 year and 1.17, respectively.