Mathematical models to predict repair and maintenance cost for 2WD tractors in the mechanized rainfed areas, eastern Sudan

   Many tractor makes are working in the mechanized rainfed areas of eastern Sudan. Most of them are two-wheel drive (2WD) tractors. However, information concerning their repair and maintenance (R and M) costs are inadequate. Moreover, depending on information on R and M costs from other farming systems or countries is unrealistic. Four tractors were studied, which were Massy Ferguson (MF-290), Ford (FD-6610), Belarus (BL-800) and New Holland (TT-75). The objectives were to develop mathematical models to estimate tractors' annual R and M costs, to rank the studied tractors according to their predicted R and M costs and to compare estimations of the general model developed from this study with models developed elsewhere. Data on purchase price, annual working hours, fuel consumption, R and M costs, labor wage and oil costs were collected. The regression and F test analyses methods were used. Results revealed that the power function Y= aXb can be used to estimate tractor R and M costs; where Y is R and M costs as percent of purchase price and X is annual working hours. The annual working hours had very highly significant (P= 0.001) effect on R and M costs. The values of coefficient of determination (R2) were above 0.95 for all tractors and their general model. The developed models for all tractors were arranged in ascending order according to their predicted R and M costs as follows; Y = 0.05 (X/100)1.3 for TT-75,   Y = 0.04(X/100)1.4 for BL-800, Y= 0.03 (X/100)1.7 for MF-290 and Y = 0.05 (X/100)1.5 for FD-6610. The general model from this study was   Y = (0.041 (X/100)1.43). This general model predicted lower R and M costs compared to the models suggested for irrigated schemes of Sudan and some other countries. It is advised that each specific area and country must develop its own mathematical model

Economics of using combine harvesters in the mechanized rainfed schemes of eastern Sudan

The effective use of combine harvesters not only needs knowledge about operation requirements, but also needs economic evaluation. The objective of this study was to make economic analysis for combine harvesters used in harvesting mechanized rainfed schemes in eastern Sudan. The data were collected from combine harvesters owners through a comprehensive questionnaire that covered 23 combine harvesters in 2016/2017 season. The collected data included fixed cost items such as purchase price, insurance, shelter and taxes and variable cost items like repair and maintenance, fuel, oil, drivers and supervision. Also, data on harvester working parameters like annual harvested area and working hours, besides custom hiring price and crop yield, were collected. In addition to cost analysis, the breakeven point (BEP), in terms of hectares that have to be harvested annually to cover annual fixed costs; and the payback period (PBP) were calculated. Also, sensitivity analyses were carried out to detect the effect of changing cost parameters on BEP and PBP. The results indicated that the annual harvested area by a combine harvester was found to be 1525 ha in 623 hours. The average fixed cost was found to be 207.5 SDG/ha, which constituted about 16.8% and 68.5% of the purchase price and total operating cost, respectively. Whereas the average variable cost was 95.4 SDG/ha, representing 7.7% and 31.5% of the purchase price and total operating cost, respectively. The results indicated that the depreciation cost was the highest among the fixed cost items and fuel cost was the highest among the variable cost items. The results showed that the average cost for direct harvesting operation was 303 SDG/ha (742.1 SDG/hr). It was found that the BEP was 904 ha and the PBP was 9 years. The sensitivity analysis revealed that increasing the purchase price will increase both the BEP and PBP. The study concluded that the use of a combine harvester in the mechanized rainfed schemes for direct harvesting was profitable for both farmer and investor. When the annual required areas by the combine harvester was satisfied, the estimated profit was 143 SDG/ha. However,it is not advisable to use direct harvesting when crop yield is lower than 450 kg/ha

Design, development and testing of Water Harvesting in Rows Planter (Wahip) for marginal rainfed areas

A water harvesting in-row planter (WaHIP) was developed for seeding sorghum in furrows in areas of low rainfall. Results showed that WaHIP constructed ridges, seeded sorghum in the furrow, and simultaneously covered about 2 hectares in one hour at the working speed of 8 km/hr. Its use resulted in the highest soil moisture, tallest plants and highest sorghum yield. Based on statistical and economic analyses, WaHIP is technically feasible, economically profitable and socially acceptable. Therefore, it is recommended as an indispensable machine for sorghum production in marginal rainfed areas such as the Sudan

Crop-Machinery Management System For Farm Cost Analysis

Abstract: Assessment of the total costs of agricultural farm is important to decide for selection of optimum combination of machinery, crops and farming system that can maximize profit. The decision on optimum combination of these factors by customary way is quite difficult due to their natural complexity. A computer system was develop in Excel-Visual basic software for farm management decision making, and to estimate machinery and the whole farm costs and net return from crops grown under different farming systems. The system deals with four crops and three farming systems by using tractor and six machines. The input data includes: crops type, operations, machine and inputs cost. The system was verified, validated, analyzed and its accuracy was approved. The system outputs change with various input parameters like farm size, machines used and crops combination. Application of the system showed that annual working hours, size and age of machines affect the fixed and total operation costs. The least operation cost was obtained by conventional farming system followed by zero tillage and heavy machinery system. Different crops varied in their costs when grown alone or in combinations in different farming systems. The lowest and highest net returns were obtained by growing sorghum alone with heavy machinery farming system and by growing the four crops in Zero-Tillage farming system. The system can be used as pre-season planning and management decision tool

Designing, developing and testing of a seeder for tree seeding and in situ water harvesting

Current methods of collection and processing of tree seed is difficult and expensive. Moreover, the germination of tree seeds and establishment of seedlings requires sufficient soil moisture over adequate periods of time. The objective of this research was to develop a tree seeder to: regulate spacing between tree seeds; harvest and conserve rain water; conserve tree seeds and optimize its seeding cost; test the developed seeder at different ecological sites; and conduct a socioeconomic evaluation for the developed seeder. Findings show the developed seeder is acceptable and technically viable while it reduces the costs of thinning

Effect of planting methods and drip irrigation intervals on onion (Allium cepa L.) yield under silt-loamy soil, Kassala State, Sudan

The objective of this research work was to investigate the effects of planting methods and drip irrigation intervals on onion yield under silt-loamy soil. An experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16). The experiment was composed of planting methods and drip irrigation intervals. The planting methods were flat, ridge and bed planting, whereas drip irrigation intervals were daily, every 3 days and every 5 days. The nine treatments were randomly laid out in a split-plot design with three replicates, the main plots were irrigation intervals and the subplots were allotted to planting methods. The calculated total water requirement for onion crop was 8113 and 7633 m3/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively. The results showed that the combination of flat planting and daily irrigation produced significantly the highest bulb weight (218.4g), marketable yield (43.8ton/ha) and highest total yield (46.6 ton/ha). The results revealed that flat planting and daily irrigation was the most economical combination for producing onion crop in Kassala state.            الهدف الرئيسي من هذه الدراسة هو دراسة تأثير طرق الزراعة وفترات الري بالتنقيط على نمو وانتاجية البصل تحت التربة الطميية في كسلا لموسمين متتاليين  ( 2014/15و(16/2015. تتكون التجربة من عاملين هما طريقة الزراعة وفترات الري بالتنقيط. طرق الزراعة هي احواض مسطحة، سراب وزراعة في مساطب، في حين كانت فترات الري بالتنقيط يوميا و3 أيام و 5 أيام. التسع معاملات وزعت عشوائيا في تصميم القطع المنشقة بثلاث مكررات، حيث وضعت فترات الري في الأحواض الرئيسية وطرق الزراعة في الأحواض الفرعية.  أظهرت النتائج أن طريقة الزراعة في احواض مسطحة مع الري اليومي اعطت أعلى وزن للبصلة مقارنة مع الزراعة في سراب ومساطب. تم الحصول على أعلى انتاجية تسويقية باستخدام الزراعة في احواض مسطحة والري اليومي. اثبتت النتائج ان الزراعة في احواض مسطحة والري بالتنقيط اليومي هي المعاملة الاقتصادية الاجدي لإنتاج محصول البصل في التربة الطميية في كسلا. وفقا للنتائج فإن أفضل طريقة لإنتاج البصل في كسلا هي باستخدام  الزراعة في احواض مسطحة والري اليومي. &nbsp