Economic and Environmental Performace of Straw Baler for Collection of Rice Residue Generated after Mechanical Harvesting by Combine Harvester

Abstract

The study aims to determine the economic and environmental performace of Straw Baler for collection of rice residue generated after mechanical harvesting by combine harvester. Increased mechanization, particularly use of combine, declining number of livestock, long period required for composting and no economically viable alternate use of crop residues are some of the reasons for open field burning of crop residue after harvesting of paddy crop for cleaning of field to sow wheat crop without chocking the conventional zero-till machine in field. This study was conducted at KVK, Rohtas farm Dhangain in year 2013-14 with baler Model 338 of John Deere make, tractor of Zetor model and hydraulic trailer. Straw baler facilitated in collection of paddy straw of 43.6 quintal/ha at cost of just Rs. 1650, which promotes animal rearing, compost/vermicompost production, power generation, bio-gas production, bio-char production, mushroom production, ehtenoal production, mulching in high value crops for stress mitigation. Promotion of straw baler may facilitates in setting up of fodder bank at large scale which may be used in case of natural extemities i.e. flood or drought for feeding animal population.