A study on Front line demonstration of power tiller mounted mechanical reaper was conducted at farmers’ field in Magadi taluk of Ramanagar district by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ramanagara. Demonstrations were carried out at 25 farmers field covering an area of 11 há during kharif 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons. The Results of the study showed that harvesting of ragi using reaper had reduced time of operation by 72 per cent, total labour dependency by 92 per cent and cost of cultivation by 81 per cent as compared to manual operation. Field capacity of ragi reaper was found to be 0.23 ha/hr in comparison to manual operation. This demonstration helped the farmers in creating awareness and inculcating the knowledge of the mechanization, which in turn help them to get more returns. Farmer opined that mechanical reaper was easy to operate, can reduce drudgery and overcomes labour scarcity during crucial stage of operation.
Demonstration, Field capacity, Labour, Mechanization, Ragi reaper
