The total cultivated area (80,000 ha) is covered using animate power sources in Sikkim. The average area dependable on a pair of bullocks is 3.36 ha. The rice (14,740 ha) is produced using traditional implements under animal based farming system. The average annual use of bullocks is 43 days and average custom hiring is performed for 28 days in terrace cultivation of Sikkim. The improved equipment for different unit operations was developed to enhance sustainable production of rice. For puddle seedbed improved wedge plough, wing plough, clod crusher-leveler-planker-puddler, peg type puddler and helical blade puddler were developed and evaluated in terrace condition and later these were promoted through frontline demonstration in different districts of Sikkim. The improved wedge plough and wing plough showed work rate of 0.025 ha/h and 0.02 ha/h respectively. The maximum puddling index was found for peg type due to more rotations of rotary resulting in to better churning in terrace condition. The other two improved puddlers e.g. improved helical blade puddler and clod crusher-leveler-planker-puddler showed work rate of 0.082 ha//h and 0.07 ha/h respectively.
Animate, Annual use, Custom hiring, Performance index, Work rate, Churning
