Studies on Drudgery Reduction in Mulberry Cultivation through Improved Machines

Studies were conducted on drudgery reduction in preparation of cuttings, interculture and harvesting of mulberry cultivation through improved machines. Performance of cutting preparation machine, power tiller operated cultivator and shoot harvester was compared with traditional methods. Cutting preparation machine involved lesser drudgery as compared to bill-hook. Drudgery was lesser in power tiller operated cultivator as compared to spade. The shoot harvester was found to be better than the secateurs. The energy required of cutting preparation machine, power tiller operated cultivator and shoot harvester was 10.30, 46.24 and 82.32 MJ/ha, respectively with a saving of 89, 91 and 81%, respectively. Similarly, the cost of operation of cutting preparation machine, power tiller operated cultivator and shoot harvester was 160, 1040 and 980 Rs/ha, respectively with respective saving of 75, 67 and 70% as compared to traditional method.