Impact of Post Harvest Mechanization in Hilly Region — A Study of Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler

This study has evaluated the impact of post-harvest technology ‘Vivek millet thresher-cum-pearler’ and has identified the factors influencing its adoption. The results obtained using the economic surplus model in terms of NPV ( 983 lakh), IRR (48%) and BCR (25.19) have been found quite attractive. The cost of operations have been reduced to the extent of 58.1 per cent in case of threshing, 61.9 per cent each for pearling and dehusking of barnyard millet with machine (electric-motor operated) over conventional practices. The overall reduction in post-harvest losses was estimated to be 5–6 per cent. The net profit per unit was found to be 21392 and 18585 per annum for motor and engine-operated machines, respectively. The threshing of finger millet on custom hiring basis was found more profitable. The technology has implications on the social front in terms of reduction in labour drudgery and checking labour migration as well as enhancement of livelihood assets (human, physical and financial). The availability and accessibility of energy (electric and fuel) on the supply side and least developed market on the demand side have been rated as the major constraints to adoption of this technology. Lack of awareness/technical knowhow about machine is another major constraint to adoption of the process. The study has suggested the need to popularize custom hiring of machine in finger millet and barnyard millet producing states for its wider adoption.