Web based machinery fleet size selection model for paddy-wheat cropping system

Abstract

A fleet size selection model based on time window availability for different operations of paddy-wheat cropping system was developed for proper selection of machinery with optimum use hours. The developed fleet size selection model suggested a fleet of 3 cultivators, 3 harrows, 3 rotavator, 3 wheat seed drill, 2 combine harvesters, 1 straw combine, 2 balers, 1 laser leveler and 6 tractors with a total investment requirement of (sic) 98.7 lakh for a catchment area of 200 ha under paddy and 300 ha under wheat. The annual use hours for harrow, cultivator, rotavator, wheat seed drill, combine harvester, straw combine, baler, laser leveler and tractor predicted by the model for same catchment area and based on the selected fleet size were 347, 278, 514, 250, 563, 375, 286, 417 and 922, respectively. The annual use hours based on selected fleet size predicted by the model for tractor were 922 to 983; close to the recommended economic use hours of tractor (1000). Thus, the model can be used to select fleet size for a particular catchment area under paddy-wheat cropping system with optimum annual use hours of machine and completion of operation within given time window.