1. Researchers in Pakistan developed an advanced design for permanent raised bed machinery (ADPRB) that is suitable for local conditions and improves upon earlier designs. 2. The ADPRB was tested on a farm in KPK province, where it formed and sowed beds of wheat in a single operation more efficiently than previous machinery. Wheat yields increased up to 33% compared to flat basin cultivation. 3. The new lightweight and low-cost ADPRB design addresses issues with earlier machinery by performing bed formation and sowing in a single operation. This reduces the capital cost and labor needs for permanent raised bed systems.

2. Muhammad Irfan

3. Ghani AkbarPakistan Agriculture Research Council

4. Presentation Outline Introduction Material & Method Results Conclusions

5. Introduction Mechanical power use in Pak. Agric. commences in 1950s Tractor & tillage was introduced in 1960s Currently available tractors 593334 nos. 77% tractors (46-55hp) are available to farmers 23.8 million hectares cultivated With 6.62 million total farms 47.6 hectares/tractor 0.14 ha/capita agricultural land

6. Permanent Raised Beds in Pakistan 1998 Permanent Raised Bed system/machinery was introduced under a collaborative research project of ACIAR and PARC. Research findings were very encouraging: Saving water, operating time and labour Improving grain yield and WUP Achieving uniform distribution seed and fertilizer Improving soil health Maize crop on PRB Wheat crop on PRB Introduction

7. Cont… However, Large scale adoption of the system was limited due to: Two separate heavy machines (Bed former and seeders) Imported machinery cost was very high Obstacles in local manufacturing of these machines Thus, GOP supported PRB system through a national project where ACIAR was again a partner: Machines were subsidised and locally manufactured Farmer and manufacturer trainings were conducted Research component was further strengthened Bed former cum renovator Seed drill Introduction

8. Objective To develop an Advanced Design of Permanent Raised Bed Machine (ADPRB) suitable for local socio economic, available tractor power, cropping and environmental conditions of Pakistan.

9. Material and Methods After completion of three years of national project on PRB a survey was conducted to check: Farmers Satisfaction with the available technology To evaluate the performance of current PRB machinery distributed & to identify issues Survey revealed: Farmers satisfied with the system as compared to traditional farming system However, two key issues identified 1: Capital cost (RS 320,000/set) and heavy machinery weight 2:Operating cost of twice machinery operation

10. Advanced Design of Permanent Raised Bed Machinery Advanced design of PRB (ADPRB) machinery was developed with features of: Bed forming and sowing in a single operation Adjustable bed size from 90cm (single bed) to 25cm (double bed) Maximum capacity of six rows (wheat, rice etc) per 90cm bed and 2 rows (maize, cotton etc) per 25cm bed Light weight (175 kg) and low cost (RS 120,000 per set) Precision planting and inter row hoeing Material and method

11. ADPRB Machinery details ADPRB machine comprises of four parts i) The front bar with three furrow openers, two blades and one shaft with four cutters (Cutters are used for hoeing on beds between rows of cotton and maize) ii) Fertilizer and seed boxes, a shaft with five cutters and one roller iii) six tines with double disk furrow openers for wheat and rice seed iv) A precision seed metering system for maize and cotton to maintain plant to plant distance 3rd Part 2nd Part 1st Part 4th Part Material and method

13. Six rows of wheat was sown on 90cm wide raised beds in comparison with traditional flat basin under a replicated trial on 25th Dec. 2010

14. Machinery operation was closely observed and grain yield data was collected at harvestMaterial and method

15. Results Machinery testing and operation 55 hp tractor satisfactorily operated the machine due to light weight and better performance Low tractor fuel consumption was observed as compared to early machines Bed making and sowing was smoothly performed in a single operation Seed germination was satisfactory Up to 33% increased grain yield was observed under PRB than flat basin Farmers interest in adoption Farmers interest in purchasing this machine can be evidenced by 20 applications so far received throughout the country which includes 10 from KPK 5 from Balochistan 5 from Sindh However, due to financial constraints the project could hardly meet any more demands The machines needs to be further tested for its impact on soil health

18. Fertilizer Outlet Seed Outlet 4th Part

19. Six Rows for Wheat & Rice

20. Two Rows for Maize and Cotton

21. Furrow Opener Blades

22. Cutters for Hoeing and Renovation

23. Machinery Parts Seed metering driving Wheel Cutter Shafts Roler

24. Cutters

25. Seed Dropping Double Disk System

26. Adjustable Furrow Opener

27. Seed metering System for Cotton and Maize

28. Adil Irfan

29. Crop Sown with ADPRB Machine

31. THANKS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION