Harvesting is an important phase in crop production since it marks the end of the growing season and ensures that crops are collected at the proper state of maturity. Harvesting machines in Nepal involves a blend of indigenous tools and modern machinery, depending on the location, crop variety, and farming scale. Let’s look at the traditional harvesting machines utilised in Nepal, as well as modern harvesting devices such as mowers, reapers, reaper binders, and potato diggers.
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Indigenous Harvesting Machines and Tools Used in Nepal
In rural and hilly areas of Nepal, indigenous tools are still widely used for harvesting crops due to the challenging terrain and small farm sizes. Some common harvesting machines include:
- The sickle (Hasiya) is the most popular harvesting machines used to harvest crops like rice, wheat, and barley. This tool has a curved blade attached to a wooden handle and is used by farmers to manually chop crops.
- Khurpa: A harvesting machines hand instrument with a short, wide blade used to cut and harvest crops. It is also used for weeding and other agricultural purposes.
- Doko and Namlo: Although not officially harvesting Machines, the Doko (traditional basket) and Namlo (headband) are used to transport gathered crops from the field to storage places. These gadgets are useful in hilly areas where mechanised transportation is not possible.
These harvesting machines are simple, low-cost, and suited to Nepal’s diverse and often rugged agricultural landscapes.
Mowers
Mowers are the harvesting machines machines used to mow grass or plants to a regular height. They’re widely employed in agriculture, landscaping, and groundskeeping. Mowers are classified into various varieties, each with its own set of features designed for a certain application.
Types of Mowers:
- Sickle-Bar Mower: Uses a reciprocating blade system to cut crops. It is commonly used for cutting hay and forage crops.
- Rotary Mower: Harvesting Machines with rotating blades, this mower cuts crops using high-speed blades. It is widely used for cutting grass and other forage crops.
- Flail Mower: Consists of small, free-swinging knives attached to a rotating drum. It is used for cutting rough vegetation and can handle heavier crops and grasses.
Working Principle of Mowers:
Mowers cut grass with either a reciprocating or rotational action. In sickle-bar mowers, the cutting blade runs back and forth in a reciprocating motion, but in rotary mowers, blades spin rapidly to slice through the crop. The vegetation is chopped to a uniform height and then placed on the ground for collecting.
Constructional Details of Mowers:
- Frame: The structure that supports the cutting mechanisms.
- Cutting Blades: In sickle-bar mowers, these are reciprocating blades, while rotary mowers use rotating blades.
- Drive Mechanism: Transmits power from the tractor or engine to the blades.
- Wheel or Skid Mechanism: Helps the mower glide over the ground while maintaining the correct height.
Reapers and Reaper Binders
Reapers are harvesting machines that chop crops and arrange them in rows on the field for later harvesting. Reaper binders not only cut crops but also bundle them together, making them easier to handle and transport.
Types of Reapers:
- Walk-Behind Reapers: Small, manually operated machines suited for small farms and difficult terrain.
- Self-Propelled Reapers: These are larger machines with their own engine for large-scale farming operations.
Reaper Binders:
A reaper binder combines the functions of a reaper and a binder. It cuts the crops and binds them into sheaves or bundles, using twine or string. This is particularly useful in crops like wheat, barley, and rice.
Working Principle of Reapers and Reaper Binders:
Reapers and reaper binders chop crops with reciprocating cutting blades. In reaper binders, the crop is cut and then fed through a binding device that ties it into bundles before being laid out on the field.
Constructional Details of Reapers and Reaper Binders:
- Cutter Bar: Equipped with reciprocating blades that cut the crops at ground level.
- Crop Conveying Mechanism: Moves the cut crops to the binder.
- Binding Unit: In reaper binders, this unit wraps and ties the cut crops into bundles.
- Power Source: Can either be manual, engine-powered, or tractor-driven.
Potato Digger
A potato digger is a specialized machine used for harvesting potatoes. It lifts the potatoes from the soil and separates them from the dirt.
Working Principle of Potato Digger:
Potato diggers work by lifting the soil containing the potatoes and then separating the potatoes from the soil. A series of vibrating or rotating sieves or chains help in sifting the soil, allowing the potatoes to be collected.
Constructional Details of Potato Digger:
- Main Frame: Supports the digger and is often attached to a tractor or other power source.
- Digging Blades/Plough: These blades or discs penetrate the soil and lift it along with the potatoes.
- Conveyor or Sieve: The lifted soil and potatoes are passed over a conveyor or vibrating sieve that shakes off the soil, leaving the potatoes to be collected.
- Wheel or Track Mechanism: Allows the digger to move smoothly across the field while lifting the potatoes.
Potato diggers can be single-row or multi-row, depending on the scale of the operation. Some advanced models are equipped with automatic sorting and collection systems, making the harvesting process faster and more efficient.
Conclusion
Indigenous harvesting instruments, such as sickles and khurpas, are commonly utilised in Nepal, particularly in areas where mechanisation is not possible due to topography or farm size. However, contemporary harvesting devices such as mowers, reapers, reaper binders, and potato diggers have significantly increased efficiency and production in large-scale farming operations. Each of these machines operates on specific principles and is intended to handle certain crops and farming situations. Understanding their operating principles, components, and safety precautions is critical for optimising their use in agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a harvesting method that uses harvesting machine?
Combine harvesting : The combine harvester performs all activities, including cutting the crop, feeding it into the threshing mechanism, threshing, cleaning, and discharging grain into a bulk waggon or sacks. Straw is often dumped behind the combine in a windrow.
What is the concept of harvesting?
Harvesting is the process of cutting and gathering food crops that have matured. Harvesting can be done by hand with a sickle or by machine, known as a harvester.
What are the principles of harvesting?
Harvesting techniques such as sharp tools and timing promote maximum yield and grain quality. Proper crop production and management procedures, such as soil preparation, seed sowing, irrigation, and weed control, are critical for agricultural productivity.
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