Economics of mechanical versus manual harvesting of Tur (Cajanus cajan)-a case study of north Karnataka

The study was conducted in two major Tur (Cajanus cajan) growing districts of north Karnataka viz Vijayapur and Bagalkot to identify major methods of harvesting of Tur and assess the losses associated with them, compare the economics of mechanical versus manual methods and document constraints faced by Tur growers in mechanical harvesting. Multistage random sampling procedure was followed for selection of 120 Tur growers. Farm budgeting and Garrett ranking techniques were used to analyze the data pertaining to 2013–14. The two major methods for harvesting and threshing of Tur in the study area were using human labour for harvesting, bullock pair for transportation and machine for threshing and using combined harvesters for harvesting and threshing of which mechanical harvesting cum threshing was found to be economical to the extent of Rs 3041.40 per ha in Vijayapur district and Rs 2960.25 per ha in Bagalkot district. The average loss of grains per hectare in the mechanical method was 74.84 kg and 81.97 kg in Vijayapur and Bagalkot respectively. The major problems faced in mechanical harvesting and threshing of Tur were non-availability of machines during requirement, splitting of grains, loss of fodder and absence of standard price for area harvested.