Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.


If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Evaluation of two-wheel tractor attached seeders used in conservation agriculture systems of Ethiopia

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2020 ASABE Annual International Virtual Meeting  2000334.(doi:10.13031/aim.202000334)
Authors:   Bisrat G. Awoke, Frédéric Baudron, Diogenes L. Antille, Laike Kebede, Dereje A. Anawte, Desseye B. Tikuneh, Kojo A. Aikins
Keywords:   Animal draft, Farm mechanization, Field operating efficiency, Fuel consumption, Reduced tillage, Technology adoption, Timeliness.

Abstract. This work was conducted to identify and evaluate ‘best-bet‘ two-wheel tractor-attached seeders for use in wheat and maize production in small scale conservation agriculture systems in Ethiopia. On-farm evaluations were performed using imported seeders from Brazil, Bangladesh, China, India, and USA. Field operating capacity, fuel consumption and crop yield were evaluated in 2015 and 2016 in the Hawassa Zuria and Tiyo Woredas of Ethiopia, respectively. Results showed that fuel consumption was between 9.4 L ha-1 and 12.6 L ha-1 depending on seeding depth. A ten-fold reduction in operating time may be possible with the use of two-wheel tractor-attached seeders, relative to the non-mechanized conventional practice. Improved uniformity and timing of planting resulted in yield increments of 29% and 22% for wheat and maize, respectively. The Bangladeshi Versatile Multi-Crop Planter (VMP) and Chinese Danyang 2BFG seeder outperformed all other units and were considered as ‘best-bet‘ systems for seeding wheat. For maize, the John Morrison and VMP seeders outperformed all other units and were considered as ‘best-bet‘ systems for this crop. A recommendation was to investigate the feasibility of manufacturing these types of seeders locally to reduce costs and facilitate adoption.

(Download PDF)    (Export to EndNotes)