Performance evaluation and economics of a conventional field baler under Indian condition

Field balers are new introduction in Indian agriculture and are being projected as an alternative to open field burning for collection and disposal of cereal straw as animal feed and industrial raw material. The key for the popularization of a field baling system entirely lies in its economical use and socio-economic aspects. The cost analysis of the field baling system under Indian condition for recovery of paddy and wheat straw has indicated an annual overage of more than 400 ha for its economical operation. For the annual area coverage of 600 ha, the payback period (Investment/Benefit) varied from 4.3 to 1.8 years depending upon the market price of straw. The transportation cost upto a storage site of 5 km contributed to the major portion of about 36% in the off farm price of baled straw. The on farm cost of baling was estimated as 950 Rs/ha for annual coverage of 400 ha which reduced to 724 Rs/ha with the increase in area of coverage to 600 ha annually.