Evaluation of Animal Drawn Improved Multi-purpose Tool Frame with Planting Attachment for Maize-A Case Study in Sikkim

Maize cultivation is carried out in Sikkim by broadcasting followed by planking for partial covering the seeds in the soil with traditional leveller (dande) in all the four districts of Sikkim. Two row animal drawn maize planting unit was mounted on light weight improved multi-purpose tool frame. Test trials of tool-frame attached with planting unit was conducted on terraces which gave working width of 720 mm and effective field capacity of 0.088 ha h ⁻¹ in terraces. For maize planting under zero-tillage condition, the tool frame with planting attachment was fitted with inverted T type furrow openers which provided effective field capacity of 0.079 ha h ⁻¹ and field efficiency of 54% on terraces. The cost of operation was Rs. 475 ha ⁻¹ for planting. There were net savings of 26.23% and 17.85% in labour and time of operation respectively for planting by two row planter under normal and zero tillage conditions as compared to traditional practice. The net savings in cost of planting for attachment fitted on tool frame in normal tillage and zero tillage conditions were 33.95% and 26.35%, respectively as compared to traditional practice (broadcasting followed by planking).