Test trials held for lightweight potato digger

GANGTOK, 19 Apr: The College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (Central Agricultural University) centre of All India Coordinated Research Project on Utilization of Animal Energy conducted test trials of a lightweight potato digger using local breed of draught animals at Daramdin on Thursday.
Productivity in Sikkim is reported to be 4.2 tonnes per hectare, it is informed. West district produces 14,243 tonnes of potato from 3260 hectares of the planted area with average productivity of 4,325 kg/ha.
In Sikkim, potato is mainly grown for seed. About 90% of the total produce is used for seed purpose, a CAEPHT release details. The seed potatoes were grown in Ribdi, Bhareng, Okhray, Thembong, Tikpur, Buriakhop, Snakhu, Bega, Manebong, Sopakha and Yoksumblocks in west district; Zuluk, Phademchen, Gnathang and Tokche blocks in the East district; Ravangla and Damthang blocks in the South District and Dechung, Thangu and Lachen blocks in the North district.
The lightweight unit (size: 200 mm, weight: 10 kg, unit price: Rs 1,500) consisting of shank, mainframe, harvesting blade, extension rods, hitch, handle and beam was tested at average bullock speed of 1.7 km/h and depth of operation of 120 mm for digging Beti and Holland varieties of potato in 1,200 sq. metre area. The harvested tubers size varied between 40-60 mm.
The digging efficiency and field efficiency were 93% and 88% respectively. The draft was found to be 35 kg. The effective field capacity and cost of operation were found to be 300 sq. m/h and Rs 1250/ha. The labour requirement was 35 man-hours per hectare for digging and 150 mh/ha for picking of potato after harvest. It therefore showed saving of 60% in labour and 61% in cost of digging (including picking of potato) over traditional digging by kudal/ spade on terraces. The tuber losses in digging were found to be insignificant.
The digger is simple in design and no special skill is required in fitting and adjustment. The command area of improved digger was found to be 2 ha and the investment made may be recovered from 01 day work covering 0.2 ha. To mechanize total area (3260 ha) there maybe need of 1630 numbers of improved diggers with  total investment of Rs 24.45 lakh only in west Sikkim district.
Local artisans in the villages can also manufacture the digger after availing training at CAEPHT (CAU), Ranipool for commercialization. The artisans may fabricate at the village level to ensure the availability of equipment in harvesting season, the release states.
The development and test trials were conducted by Dr RK Tiwari, Principal investigator, UAE along with Er SK Chauhan, Assistant Agril. Engineer and other staff of the college, informs a press release issued by SK Rautaray, Head FPM, CAEPHT.