Enhancing Rice Harvesting Efficiency: A Whole Feed Combine Harvester Design, Development, and Fabrication in Bangladesh

Subrata Paul, Md. Durrul Huda, Bidhan Chandra Nath, Md. Golam Kibria Bhuiyan, Haimonti Paul, Md. Mizanur Rahman

Abstract

Labor shortages during rice harvesting significantly challenge Bangladeshi’s agricultural landscape. This study addresses this issue by developing a medium-sized combine harvester suitable for small and fragmented landholdings. Manufactured using locally available materials at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), this harvester prioritizes affordability, ease of fabrication, high capacity, and minimal maintenance requirements. A third model was developed at BRRI’s Gazipur workshop through two successful development phases facilitated by a Public-Private Partnership. Field testing conducted during the 2021 Boro season assessed the harvester performance across diverse locations, yielding promising results. The harvester exhibited an average harvesting capacity ranging from 0.250 to 0.277 hectares per hour, with fuel consumption between 3.78 and 3.97 liters per hour. Travel speed averaged between 2.48 and 2.54 kilometers per hour, with grain output varying from 1027.22 to 1228.47 kilograms per hour. The field efficiency ranged from 66.12% to 73.58%. This Bangladeshi-made combine harvester presents manufacturers, policymakers, and farmers with a potential solution to enhance rice harvesting productivity and mitigate labor shortages. Its development offers hope for a more efficient and sustainable future for Bangladesh's agricultural sector.

 

Keywords: rice; whole feed combine harvester; labor shortage

 

DOI：10.62321/issn.1000-1298.2024.07.03

 

 

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