Economic Parameter of Maize Sheller for Custom Hire Service in Bangladesh

The main purpose of the study was to determine the economic parameters for developing a maize sheller custom hire entrepreneur and effective schedules for maize sheller operation. Secondary data from various sources and some essential data were collected from primary sources through survey were used in this study. Operating costs were calculated and project financial profitability was determined by farm financial measurement techniques namely, benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and break even use. The operating cost of maize sheller for shelling was found US$3.4 per hour or US$ 1.41 per ton. Based on the operating cost, annual savings for replacement and a profit margin for the entrepreneur, the rent-out charge of the maize sheller is estimated as US$8.15 per hour or US$ 3.21 per ton. The benefit-cost ratio of maize sheller is found 2.34, which is highly profitable venture for an entrepreneur. The break-even use for maize sheller is estimated as 670 hours of operation or 1705 ton of maize shelling.&nbsp

PRESENT STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION: A STUDY ON THREE UPAZILAS OF PANCHAGARH DISTRICT IN BANGLADESH

Nowadays in Bangladesh, farm mechanization is one of the major cause of change in agricultural sector. Due to labor shortage and high wage rate of labor, farmers are compelled to accept farm mechanization. The purpose of the study was to assess the modern agricultural technologies used in Panchagarh district and develop statistical information. The study period was from August 2019 to October 2019. For this study, three places such as Panchagarh Sadar, Boda and Debiganj were selected. Present status was analyzed based on irrigation management system, tillage practices, insect control practices, harvesting and post-harvesting operation, drying and storage facilities for rice production. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information’s of machinery used in selected places. The study revealed that irrigation, land preparation and crop protection was almost mechanized, but mechanization is still lacking in harvesting operation. There were no transplanter, seed drill and fertilizer applicator found in the study areas used by farmers. Crops were still dried through sun drying storage was done by the traditional storage technologies. It is a fact that mechanization is in progress in these areas but need more extension work with modern machineries. The government should develop proper planning by investigating present status of mechanization and improve the present condition by increasing machinery utilization. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2021.v08i9.00