Development of Mulching Machine as an Attachment to a Tractor Operated Rotavator

Development of Mulching Machine as an Attachment to a Tractor Operated Rotavator

Pawar A. T.1, Dr. V. K. Tiwari2

1Department of Farm machinery and Power Engineering, Junagadh Agricultural University

2Professor and Head, Dept. of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agril. Engg. & Tech. JAU, Junagadh

Abstract: Agriculture is primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population and employs about 41.49% of total work force with a GDP contribution of 17.76% in 2019-20. Formerly agriculture was more dependent on the nature and all the operations were carried out manually, however new technologies have been developed to increase the production and productivity of crops, plastic mulching is one among them. By adopting mechanization in the required areas of agriculture, timely operations with reduced drudgery and cost of operation can be achieved. A tractor operated plastic mulching machine as an attachment to a rotavator was developed to mechanize the conventional plastic mulching by combining the various operations such as field preparation by rotavator, bund formation, drip lateral laying and mulch laying. The machine was developed to overcome the labour problems, save operational energy and to perform timely operations.

Keywords: Plastic mulching machine, rotavator, bund former, combination tillage implement, mulching machine attached to rotavator.