With an aim for the participatory field evaluation of rice mechanization technologies in the farmer’s field, National Agricultural Engineering Research Centre (NAERC) Khumaltar has conducted an evaluation and demonstration of Rice transplanting by mechanical rice transplanter in Pachkhal Municipality 2, Anaikot on 23rd Ashad 2079. This program was conducted in joint collaboration of Panchkhal Municipality and ward office of 2 number ward Panchkhal. For reducing the cost of cultivation in Paddy cultivation complete mechanization options like seedling preparation, weeding, transplanting and harvesting will be tested and verified in the Farmer’s filed. 4 row walking behind rice transplanter and 6 row riding type Rice transplanter were demonstrated at the field of Yadav sapkota and Kaila Shrestha. A formal program has been conducted on chairmanship of Rameshwar Dhal president of WAard-2 Panchkhal and on presence of chief guest Mayor of Panchkhal municipality Mahesh Kharel, Distinguished guest Deputy Mayor Ms Surya Maya Danuwar. Dr. Dhruba Raj Bhattarai, chief of National Outreach Research Centre expressed that NARC wants to keep in touch with local government thorough Agriculture technologies. Dr. Shreemat Shrestha Director of NARI as well as chief of NAERC explained the importance of rice mechanization technology and objective of this participatory field program for the evaluation and promotion of agricultural mechanization technologies in rice cultivation. Mayor of Panchkhal municipality Mahesh Kharel inaugurated the evaluation and demonstration program by operating the machines. At the same time Director of NARI, Dr. Shreemat Shrestha hand-overed Publications of Agricultural Technology developed by NARC to Mayor of Panchkhal municipality Mahesh Kharel. Mayor Kharel expressed his happiness for this type of mechanization technology demonstration by NARC in his municipality and expressed eagerness of Panchkhal Municipality for further collaboration with NARC for modernization and mechanization of agriculture system of Panchkhal Municipality. Ward president Rameshwar Dahal expressed that this type of modern technology demonstration is very first in this municipality and Panchkhal municipality is willing to promote mechanization to make the agriculture more commercial and profitable.
Modified seedbed for mechanized transplantation at Panchkhal.
Since National Agricultural Engineering Research Centre (NAERC) Khumaltar has been involved in verification of mechanization technologies in Panchkhal municipality for 2 years, this year NAERC prepared the modified mat type rice seedling on frame with soil preparation and seeder machine in Panchkhal. The farmers realized that the modified mat type nursery is easy and cost effective with better seedling growth compared to traditional method. Total 200 seedlings mat has been placed on dated 9th Ashadh. 14 days seedling were used for mechanical rice transplanter. Total area of 13 ropani has been transplanted with machines and comparison with traditional method will be carried out in terms of time, cost of production and yields. Moreover, NAERC will also carry out the participatory field evaluation of other mechanization technologies in rice cultivation viz. weeding, harvesting and threshing will also be carried out in this field in rice growing season.
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