Financial Viability of Paddy Harvester CLAAS30

The present study assesses the potential of using paddy harvesters and its impact on timeliness, harvesting cost, crop yield, farm income and employment. The results indicated that CLAAS30 ensures rapid harvesting, reduces harvesting costs, minimises post harvest losses, raises income of farmers and assists farmers in overcoming labour shortages during peak harvesting period. The machine replaces labour by about 90 per cent, reduces the harvesting costs by Rs. 5500 per hectare and increases net return by around Rs. 35000/ha. Field conditions such as crop density, crop maturity, soil moisture condition, weed population, plot size, lodging and operators skills determine the efficiency of harvesting. The crop tiger 30 harvests 10 acres per day. The CLAAS30 is an impressive equipment, which reduces the cost of paddy production by about 25-30 per cent and reduces post harvest losses to a considerable extent. The present study implies a positive financial viability. Negative effects are noticed on employment opportunities and also on the income of harvesting labourers. Although the CLAAS30 has gained greater acceptance among farmers, the price of the machine is around 23 lakhs, which tends to discourage them to invest on this technology. However, it is possible to popularize this machine in major rice producing areas by providing subsidy to farmers and companies and by way of conducting appropriate training programmes.