Custom Hiring Services of Power Thresher for Small-Farm Rice Threshing in Kampar Regency, Indonesia

The availability of power thresher for custom hiring services has accelerated the mechanical power use in small-scale rice threshing operation in Kampar Regency. This research attempts to determine the need, used capacity, and seasonal work of power thresher and to analyze the cost, profit, and break-even of power thresher hire services managed by farmer groups. Data were collected from 15 power threshers from 10 custom-hiring services group selected using purposive sampling technique in seven districts of Kampar Regency. The interviews with group managers, custom operators, and mechanics were conducted during the main growing season in 2012. The results showed that the number of power threshers on farmer groups was limited and most of them, however, still worked under capacity. The power thresher was employed only for group members with custom work about 64.9 t/season. The seasonal work was more than break-even point of about 7.7 t/season, so the custom-hiring services of power thresher are profitable. Therefore, the method can become an alternative source of income and also extend the power thresher adoption amongst rice farmers in the region

Dampak Teknis dan Ekonomis Perubahan Iklim Pada Pengolahan Tanah Sawah Tadah Hujan di Kabupaten Kampar, Propinsi Riau.

Perubahan iklim telah menyebabkan pemanasan global dan memberi dampak berarti pada sector pertanian terutama berkaitan dengan suhu, pola curah hujan, cadangan air dan kesuburan tanah. Dampak perubahan ilkim pada pertanian berbeda antar region di dunia tergantung pada kondisi agroekosistem, tapi dampak sangat signifikan terjadi di daerah tropik. Paper ini mencoba mengungkapkan dampak teknis dan ekonomis perubahan iklim gobal pada pengolahan tanah sawah tadah hujan di Kabupaten Kampar, Propinsi Riau. Data dikumpulkan selama observasi di lapangan dan interview dengan petani pada tahun 2016 dan dibantu dengan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan penuulis selama ini di kabupaten tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perubahan iklim telah menyebabkan kekeringan dan berpengaruh terhadap durasi waktu dan biaya pengolahan tanah pada sawah tadah hujan yang diperuntukkan untuk usahatani padi. Air dalam pengolahan tanah sangat dibutuhkan terutama untuk kelancaran dan kualitas hasil pengolahan tanah. Oleh karena itu, perbaikan sistem irigasi untuk pasokan air ke dalam sawah sangat mendesak dilakukan agar sumber air tidak tergantung pada curah hujan

Economic potential of tractor hire business in Riau Province, Indonesia: A case study of small tractors for small rice farms

This study attempts to evaluate the potential of hand tractor hire business to increase the owners’ income.  The type of small tractors studied is used to promote the small rice farms’ mechanization.  A survey of 56 tractor owners in four regencies of Riau Province was conducted to carry out this evaluation.  Approximately 68% of the total annual costs are variable costs and the largest single item is labor cost.  Most tractors offering custom hire service are profitable with an average of 23.13 ha per annum.  The received profit would be higher if drivers are provided by the owners.  The breakeven point that justifies economical ownership of the small tractors is at 17.35 ha under Riau conditions.  The owners require 6.5 years to retrieve the capital cost on the tractors and to obtain about 10% of return on the investment.  The annual use of tractors should be increased to reduce costs or to augment profit.  The use of tractors for customer hire service should be encouraged for augmenting farmers’ income and enhancing tractor ownership in the province.Keywords: tractor hire business, small tractor, annual use, tractor costs, breakeven point Citation: Paman, U., S. Uchida, and S. Inaba.  Economic potential of tractor hire business in Riau Province, Indonesia: A case study of small tractors for small rice farms.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 135-142

Operators’ Capability and Facilities Availability for Repair and Maintenance of Small Tractors in Riau Province, Indonesia: A Case Study

This paper presents the capability of tractor operators in performing repair and maintenance of small tractors, the availability of service and repair facilities at the farm level, and the manner of the operators in maintaining their tractors. Data are based on field visits and interviews with 65 tractor operators from 6 villages collected in three regencies of Riau Province. The results show that most operators lack the technical skill to service and repair tractors due to insufficient training, specific education, and work experience. Inadequate repair and maintenance facilities, such as workshops, mechanics, and spare part depots cause delays in repair work and raise the price of spare parts in the survey areas. Farmers do not keep accurate service records and most of them disregard proper maintenance and service of their tractors, such as changing engine oil without following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Provincial governments should provide training facilities and a program to improve the technical knowledge and skills of the operators and local mechanics. Repair and maintenance facilities should be established in village areas to guarantee timely repair in case of breakdowns and to make spare parts available at low price. The operators should keep service records accurately and adhere to maintenance and service schedules according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They should also be encouraged to properly service and maintain their tractors