Assessment of BRRI Whole Feed Combine Harvester (Model BRRI WCH2021) for Mechanized Rice Harvesting in Bangladesh

Agricultural mechanization plays a pivotal role in the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture, with a particular focus on labour-intensive activities like harvesting. This study assesses the operational characteristics of the BRRI Whole Feed Combine Harvester (Model BRRI WCH2021) at the field level. Developed under the SFMRA project, the harvester’s technical performance and loss assessment were conducted during the Boro 2022 and Aman 2022 seasons in farmer fields in Bangladesh’s Rangpur region. The field efficiency of the harvester was determined to be 62.5% and 57.9% in the Boro and Aman seasons, respectively. Fuel consumption rates were recorded at 2.77 l/ha and 2.31 l/ha for the Boro and Aman seasons. The total harvesting losses, encompassing cutter bar, shatter, cylinder, and separation loss, averaged 0.56% and 0.48% in the Boro and Aman seasons, respectively. Mechanized harvesting with the BRRI Whole Feed Combine Harvester significantly reduced paddy losses by 5.81% compared to manual methods. The field evaluation results indicate the combine harvester’s satisfactory performance, highlighting its potential to alleviate labour demands during peak harvesting. The development of the BRRI WCH offers a sustainable solution for rice harvesting mechanization among progressive farmers. It paves the way for the broader adoption of advanced agricultural technology in Bangladesh.

Status and Constrain for Mechanization of Rice Harvesting System in Bangladesh

To know the position, problems and suggestion of harvest mechanization of rice, the study conducted in 21 upzillas under seven regions (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Comilla, Bogra, Rajshahi and Rangpur) based on different agro-climatic condition and cropping intensity and 126 farmers participated in the interview. For collecting data, a structured questionnaire was used and statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out. In study area, the average cultivable area was 225 to 1239 decimal (1 decimal = 40 m2) and 97.60% farmer reaping by sickle and only 0.80% used combine harvester. Cut paddy transported by head (13.49%), shoulders (12.7%) or both of them of 11.11% farmer and 44.44% of farmers used small truck or field threshed. Threshing was mainly done using (49.21%) closed drum thresher and open drum thresher (26.20%), likewise 1 of 126 farmer use head-feed combine harvester. The study area, most farmers (37.3%) used kula for the cleaning of rice, but only 8.74% of farmers used winnower. In considerable amount, 80.95% of farmers had machinery, while the remaining (19.05%) did not have machines. Farmers agreed that harvesting was a labor-intensive method (35.71%) and time consuming (28.57%). Transporting of harvested paddy was dangerous and painful for head, shoulder, hand, waist, backbone, leg, etc. With mechanization and the introduction of machinery, 40.48% of farmers identified the main ceiling as the price of the machine and information/lack of credit system (21.43%). In survey area, most farmers (36.51%) identified the vital advantage of mechanized harvesting as lower labor requirement, while 21.43% of farmers said that a lower loss of rice. All farmers who participated in the interview expressed their need for machinery and mentioned agricultural credit with easy terms and conditions, subsidy for buying machinery and the ensuring of a fair market price for their rice.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Gray Scale Sonography for the Detection of Malignant Breast Tumour

Background: Gray scale sonography is an important diagnostic tool for the detection of malignant breast tumour. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to find out the diagnostic validity gray scale sonography to detect malignant lesions of breast. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the department of Radiology and Imaging, in collaboration with the department of Surgery and Pathology at Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from July 2008 to June 2009 for a period of one year. Women presented with clinically suspected breast mass from outpatients’ department (OPD) or inpatient department (IPD) were purposively selected and was Ultrasonographic diagnosis. 2-D Real-Time B-Mode Ultrasonographic examinations were done using high frequency (7.5 MHz) linear transducer. Result: Test of validity was done for color Doppler Sonographic findings in evaluation of benign and malignant breast lesion. Out of 50 cases, 23 cases were true positive;4 cases were false negative;1 case was false positive;22 cases were true negative confirmed by histopathology. Here sensitivity and specificity of Gray scale ultrasonography were 85.18% and 95.0% respectively. Here accuracy of Gray scale study was 90.0%. Positive predictive value was 95.83% and negative predictive value was 84.61%. Conclusion: Gray scale ultrasonography is a useful method in the differentiation between benign and malignant breast masses.