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V.z, ?23
PETER E. HILDEBRAND
INSTITUTE INTERAMERICANO DE COOPERACAO PARA A AGRICULTURE
INSTITUTE INTERAMERICANO DE COOPERATION PARA LA AGRICULTURE
INSTITUTE INTERAMERICAIN DE COOPERATION POUR L'AGRICULTURE
1/ 1fo INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE
11ri i-PIIC 1 j-RL-~3lTglLr~- -sA-C
FINAL REPORT OF CONSULTANCY
ON
AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
FOR
NORTHEAST BRAZIL
HARBANS LAL, M. Tech.
Mechanization Specialist
IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA
Petrolina, Nov. 20, 1985
S0Intituto 4 o organismo especializado em agriculture do sistema interarnericano. Foi estabelecido pelos governor americanas corn a
lI do "ectirnr iar. promoter e apoiar os esforgos dos Estados Membror para alcanCar seu desenvolvimento agrfcola e o bem-estar rural".O
S("titu Ilteramaricano de Cincias Agr(colas, estabelecido no dia 07 de outubro de 1942. foi reorganizado a passou a denominar-se
St3itu t Intlramericano de Cooperaqao para a Agricultura, por Convena'o aberta A assinatura dos Estados Americanos no dia 06 de maro de
Qu o entrou-em vin5nris am thromhrn rd 1Qft -
__ _
LIST OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
JOB DESCRIPTION
THE CPATSA AND ITS MECHANIZATION PROGRAM
I. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
1.1. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
Publications
1.2. PRESENT STATUS OF MECHANIZATION
Introduction
Publications
1.3. MACHINERY DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTATION
Introduction
Publications.
1.4. MACHINERY-EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Publications
1.5. AGRONOMICAL STUDIES RELATED TO MACHINERY
(Tillage and Planting)
Introduction
Publications
1.6. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
(Farming Systems Research and Training)
Introduction
Publications
II.. LOOKING AHEAD (Suggestions for Future Work)
III. SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
I
III
V
VII
Page.
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
6
8
-8
8
10
10
12
15
15
16
18
23
APPENDICES
I.
II.
III.
V.
V.
VI.
ABOUT THE CONSULTANT
TRAINING AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF PUBLICATIONS
SOME ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
.TIPS FOR EFFICIENT CONSULTANT AND
USEFUL CONSULTANCY
SCHEDULE FOR ELABORATION AND
PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT
Page.
PREFACE
I have worked -as Mechanization Specialist/Consultant for Northeast
Brazil stationed at CPATSA (Agricultural Research Centre for the
Semi-Arid Tropics) of EMBRAPA (Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural
Research) through its contract with IICA (Inter-American Institute for
Cooperation on Agriculture) for last six years. Over this period of
six years, I have been associated in planning, executing and
evaluating number of research and development activities related to
mechanization.
The information on all these activities is available in various
publications of the centre (CPATSA), in national or foreign journals
and different reports prepared for-CPATSA/EMBRAPA or for IICA from
time to time.
Never-the-less, this final report of my consultancy is aimed to
provide general outline of the research and development activities
carried-out by me and achievements of these-activities in relation
to overall-objectives of the CPATSA and that of IICA/EMBRAPA Contract.
The report is divided in three main parts. The first part
describes briefly the various research and development activities,
giving the list of publications, carried out. The scope of these
activities was always aimed to.meet the aims and objectives of the
CPATSA/EMBRAPA and the needs of the region. This part is further sub-
divided into the following sub-headings based on the types of
activities:
Program Development
Evaluation of Present Status of Mechanization
Machinery Development and Adaptation
Machinery Evaluation and Management
Agronomical Studies Related to Machinery (Tillage and Planting)
Multi-disciplinary Research and Extension (Farming Systems and
Training).
The second part of the report describes some suggestions for the
future work in the field of agricultural mechanization for the region.
In making these suggestions the on-going research activities and
past experience of the centre has been given due considerations.
The third part entitled as "SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS" is aimed to
provide some suggestions to IICA/EMBRAPA Coordination cell in order
to facilitate for the consultants to play their role more effectively
and hope to minimize the frustrations which he (the consultant)
faces from time to time because of the present administrative and
technical set up.
It is hoped that the report will be useful for IICA in evaluating
the contribution of its consultancy services to CPATSA, and for
.CPATSA/EMBRAPA and its staff, the report will serve as a ready
reference on the activities and achievements of its consultant in
the field of agricultural mechanization. Last but not the least,
the report will serve as handy reference for my future consultations
on my achievements during my employment as a Mechanization Specialist
with IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA over the period of six years from Oct. 1979
to Nov. 1985.
HARBANS LAL
Petrolina, Nov. 15, 1985
III
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to register my deep hearted gratitudes for IICA
(Inter-american Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture) to provide
me the opportunity to work as Mechanization Specialist in its
category of international professional staff and to EMBRAPA
(Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research) and its regional
centre CPATSA (Agricultural Research Centre for the Semi-Arid
Tropics) in accepting me for such a responsibility.
My special thanks are due to Dr. Jose Irineu Cabral, ex-director of
IICA office in Brazil, Dr. Jorge Soria, sub-director general, IICA,
Costa Rica & ex-coordinator of IICA/EMBRAPA contracts, Dr. Juan
-arlos Scarsi, director IICA-Brazil and-ex-coordinator IICA/EMBRAPA
contract, Dr. Elmar Wagner, coordinator IICA/EMBRAPA contracts and
Dr. Daniel Gustafson, Technical Assessor of IICA/EMBRAPA, in
providing the administrative briefing and- support from time to time
during my -sojourn as a mechanization specialist.
The Department of International Cooperation of EMBRAPA headed
till recently by Dr. Jose Maria Pompeu Memoria, has also been very
helpful in carrying out professional duties at CPATSA/EMBRAPA and
deserve my gratitudes.
The integrated and continuous encouragement of Dr. Renival Alves de
Souza, Chief of CPATSA have been really a moral boosting exercise
to achieve various professional objectives during my stay at CPATSA/
EMBRAPA. The administrative help of Depty Chiefs (technical and
administrative) of CPATSA has also contributed significantly in
meeting my professional goals of consultancy.
During my stay at CPATSA, I have had opportunity of working with
number of researchers and other professionals of CPATSA/EMBRAPA
and that of other research and extension organizations of Brazil and
would like to register my thanks for their critical and creative help
in making my present venture a success. The names of Mr. Pericles
F. Nunes, my Brazilian Counterpart from beginning (1979) till 1983 and
Adao de Mattus da Costa, trainee of CNPq/EMBRAPA who were associated
almost full time with my work need special mention for their help
both on professional and social aspects.
I would also like to thank, ICRISAT and its directors (Drs L.D.
Swindale & J.S. Kanwar), FSRP- Farming Systems Research Program of
ICRISAT and its ex-leader Dr. B.A. Krantz and FPE- Farm Power and
Equipment sub-program and its ex-leader Mr. G.E. Thierstien who were
kind enough in reliving me to take up the present assignment for the
initial period of 16 months.
Last but not the least, the thanks are due to my wife Chitra
Arora and my daughters Bhawna, Monika and Prerna, who shared with me
both enjoyments and depressions through which we passed during our
stay at Petrolina(PE) in deep Sertao of Pernambuco.
HARBANS LAL
Petrolina, Nov. 15, 1985
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF CONSULTANCY
The-consultancy started in Oct., 1979 for the initial period of
16 months which has been renewed and extended on yearly basis. The
details of the job description supplied by IICA alongwith the first
appointment is followed:
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title of positions:
Specialist on Agricultural Mechanization.
Responsible to:
Head of IICA Office in Brazil-through the General Coordinator of
the IICA/EMBRAPA contract and the head of the Semi-Arid Tropics
Agricultural Research Center (CPATSA of EMBRAPA). -
Objectives:
To participate with CPATSA specialists in activities geared to
strengthen the farm machinery program technical capacity by planning,
executing and evaluating research on farm machinery suited for the
cropping systems adapted to the semi-arid tropics.
Specific duties and responsibilities:
1..To analyse the problems and needs of mechanization and to fix
(decide) research priorities to produce farms machinery and equipment
efficiently adapted to cropping systems (traditional & modified) and
ecological and-socio-economic conditions of the semi-arid tropics of
Brazil.
Ai
2. Together with the specialists of EMBRAPA to design, construct
and evaluate manual, animal traction and mechanical farm machinery
and-equipment to improve the efficiency and economics of production
and to conserve the resources of soils and water of the semi-arid
cropping systems.
3. To test and/or adapt agricultural machinery or equipment available
locally to improve its efficiency and economics and to suggest
modifications or improvements to the makers.
4. To develop in-service training programs for researchers of the
CPATSA and other units of EMBRAPA on methodologies and laboratory
and field techniques:in your speciality.
5. Advise and guidetheses research projects on farm mechanization
carried out in CPATSA to EMBRAPA graduate students.
6. To prepare documents and technical reports, according to the
-need of IICA/EMBRAPA Contract, attherequestof the General Coordinator
of the Contract and the Head of the Centre.
7. To cooperate with the Head of CPATSA-to perform your activities
integrated to the multidisciplinary team of researchers.
Duration of contract:
th
Initially for sixteen months (16), starting Oct. 13 1979 and
extended on yearly basis till Dec. 1985 but resigned on Nov. 21, 1985
to pursue higher studies leading to Ph.D. -degree.
Residance Headquarters:
Semi-Arid Tropics Agricultural Research Center Petrolina.- State
of Pernambuco Brazil.
VII
THE CPATSA AND ITS MECHANIZATION PROGRAM
The-CPATSA (Agricultural Research Centre for the Semi-Arid Tropics)
was created in 1975 with the objective of generating new technologies
to improve the quality of life of the farmers of the region.
The Centre is located at Petrolina(PE) in the Sertao region of
Pernambuco state and coordinates.three national programs and
participates in others through its team of about 60 researchers of
different levels (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.).
The three principal programs and their objectives coordinated by
CPATSA are:
Evaluation of the Natural and Socio-Economical Resources in rural
environment (PNP 027) aimed to assess the traditional farming systems,
their boundaries, limitations and potentials to be improved.
Utilization of Natural and Socio-Economical Resources (PNP 030)
aimed to carryout analytical and synthetical research at experiment
station in order to search the solutions for the limitations assessed
and the synthesis of promising alternative farming systems (models).
Development of improved Farming systems for the Semi-Arid Rural
Environment (PNP 033) aimed to assess the level of adoption of
technologies.
The mechanization program of the Centre (CPATSA) right from the
beginning has been contributing to the three national programs (PNPs)
in function of each of them. The mechanization program was initiated
in May 1979 with principal objective of developing and using-animal-
drawn implements in order to facilitate the introduction and
application of crop production technologies to make the farming ;
systems of the region more efficient. This program was reinforced in
VIII
Oct. 1979 through the consultancy of IICA consultant and later through
French specialists through the "Convenio" of CEEMAT/EMBRAPA/EMBRATER,
initiated in June 1980.
The two programs; proposed by IICA's consultant and that through
the Convenio (CEEMAT/EMBRAPA/EMBRATER) have been operating at CPATSA
simultaneously through specialized projects. The team, responsible
for mechanization research at CPATSA/EMBRAPA consisted of two local
researchers and three consultants supported by short term trainees
from time to time. In 1983 one of the local researcher, directly
associated with my work, went to France for higher studies, thus
leaving only one local researcher to accompany three foreign
Consultants. This lead to paralization/cancellation of some of
the projects initially planned. Never-the-less, I have been able to
complete most of the activities I-have initially planned. These
activities, apart from solving the regional problems, have resulted
in number of publications thus enriching the literature on-agricultural
mechanization for northeast Brazil. The fig. 1 presents the cronogram
of the activities carried out and their relationship with three
national programs coordinated by CPATSA/EMBRAPA.
- ----I-- -- *1
i- I- IncLU %,UtrriitNQit ZvUIIUl '
PURPOSE OF TRADITIONAL S
___ ,I- E~lFIC n I TECHNIQUES g
NATIONAL L PS ECIF J -COST COEFFICIENTS TECH
GENERATION
REGIONALMOELING OF NEW TECHNIQUES
RNRLYTICRL
SPECIFIC ANALYSIS
Fig. 1. Cronogram of research and development activities and their
relationship with national program coordinated by CPATSA/EMBRAPA.
I
CHAPTER I
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
CHAPTER 1.1
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
The temporary nature of my assignment of IICA and limited know-
ledge about the region did not permit me to develop long term
proposals right in 1979. However by 1981, the proposals for the
program were finalized which has been followed till date. The program
development passed through following three phases:
Research Program 1979
Research Program 1980
Research Program 1981-
Pblications
LAL, HARBANS, Agricultural Mechanization research program for SAT
Brazil, IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina(PE), Oct. 1979, p. 5.
NUNES, P.F. and LAL, H, Programa de Pesquisa em Mecanizagao Agricola
para a regiao do Tropico Semi-Arido do Brasil, CPATSA/EMBRAPA, Pe-
trolina(PE), Jul. 1980, p. 11.
LAL, HARBANS, Programa de Pesquisa em Mecanizagao Agricola do CPATSA
(Retrospectivas e prospectivas). DRELA, Costa Rica, Vol. 15, No. 2,
December 1983.
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (1980-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for Northeast
Brazil; Part I. Program Development and Summary, IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA
Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 1-68.
CHAPTER 1.2
PRESENT STATUS OF MECHANIZATION
Introduction
The activities related to evaluation of the present status of
agricultural mechanizatonofthe region can be broadly classified into:
a) Systematic analysis and interpretation of the informations already
published by different national institutes related to agricultural
mechanization.
b) Collecting and analysing the informations using specialised
questionnaires, through personal visits to farmers' field and to
other mechanization related institutions.
The first type of activity covered the studies on (i) Tractorization
of Brazilian Agriculture (ii) Mode.and intensity of use tractores in
the valley of-river- San Francisco and (iii) Variations of production,
sale and Unit-price of principal agricultural machines used in
northeast.
The information on the inventory of presently possessed implements
by the farmers, its mode and intensity of utilization have been
collected through-a .set of questionnaires put to selected sample of
farmers. A survey on transport means used by the farmers for
transporting agricultural inputs and production and a detailed study
on the animal-drawn carts was also carried out in the Ouricuri region
of Pernambuco state.
Publications
LAL, HARBANS, .COSTA, A.M. and NUNES, P.F., 1983. Tractorization of
Brazilian Agriculture 1950-82. XIII Brazilian Congress of
Agricultural Engineering, 18-21 Jul. Rio de Janeiro(RJ), Brazil,
(portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, COSTA, A.M. and NUNES, P.F., 1984. Development and
Oscilations of National Industry of Tractors, A Lavoura, National
Society of Agriculture, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Jan./Feb. 84,
Ano LXXXVI, pp. 40-44, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Characterization and Utilization of Rural
Transport Means in Ouricuri(PE) Region of Northeast Brazil, Revista
de Economia Rural, Brasilia(DF), (in press).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Moto-Mechanization in Irrigated Perimeter of
River San Francisco (Case Study of Project Bebedouro), Pesq.
Agropec. Bras., Brasilia(DF), (in press).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (1980-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for Northeast
Brazil; Part II. Evaluation of Present Status, IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA,
Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 69-136.
CHAPTER 1.3
MACHINERY DEVELOPMENT AND.ADAPTATION
Introduction
The machinery developed or adapted over the period of 6 years can
be broadly classified in two following categories:
General purpose machines
Specific purpose machines
The general purpose machines such as Multicultores (Multicultor
CPATSA and Multicultor CPATSA II) are those machines which can be
used for different agricultural field operations under different
farming and production systems. On the other hand the specific
-purpose-machines (Ridger-blades and weeding blades etc.) have been
developed for specific requirements of an operation in the modified
soil management and tillage system found promising for the region.
The both types of machines have been adapted keeping in view the
possibility of these being produced by urban based workshop with
limited resources of technical capabilities. The experiences with
this approach of machinery development has been dual fold. On one
side the simplicity of the machines impressed many. local workshops
to initiate their fabrication and generated interest in wide variety
of public ranging from farmers to students. Table 1 presents the
statistics of about 1000 letters received by CPATSA after a television
broadcast on Multicultor CPATSA. Though number of small workshops
started fabricating this machines in northeast and other regions of
Brazil but CPATSA patronized a local workshop "OFICINA VENCEDORA" to
meet the immediate demand about this machine principally for multi-
location testing. Unfortunately this workshop was not able to main-
tain the required level of "quality control" for the fabrication. Many
MULTICULTOR CIATL'SA
'I'A'TI.sTCS 01' KEQU-ST~' S ON
STATES FARMERS INDUSTRIALISTS STUDENTS INSTITUTES TRADERS OTHERS TOTAL (o) PER STATE
SaQ Paulo 141 08 22 03 06 37 217 22.24
Rio Grande do Sul 83 04 14' 06 05 21 133 13.63
Minas Gerais 98 01 04 10 05 19 137 14.04
Rio de Janeiro 49 03 06 01 11 71 7.27
Manaus 02 -- 01 03 0.31
Mato Grosso do. Sul 06. 01 03 10 1.02
Mato Grosso 04 01 01 01 07 0.72
Goias 17 01 C: 01 .02 22 2.25
Santa Catarina 07 01 02 02 04 02 17 1.74
Distrito Federal 20 01 04 03 .10 38 3.89
Pnra 11 01 01 13 1.33
lslf j-it, L Santo 22 10 01 07 40 4.10
PlarIini 50 05 09 o 01 03 16 84 8.61
A I "a 05 02 07 0.72
Seg i peo 08 01 10 1.02
Maranhao 04 01 -01 06 0.61
Paraiba 09 03 01 03 16 1.64
Rio Grande do Norte 06 01 06 02 01 16 1.64
Ceara 13 04 02 01 03 23 2.36
Pernambdco 21 01 05 01 06 34 3.48
Bahia 49 02 10 C0 01 08 72 7.38
TOTAL 625 32 103 37 27 152 976 100,00%
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL 64.04 3.28 10.55 3.79 2.77 15.57 100 -
OBSERVATIONS:
-Approximately 90% of the requests expressed their desire to fabricate the machine (100% industrialist
and 95% of farmers)
- The column of "others" includes professionals like agronomists, agricultural technicians, economists,
medical doctors, lawyers etc.
- 18.85% requests came of northeast and 81.15o from other regions of northeast Brazil.
CDT/CPATSA/NOV. 03, 1080 I
of the initial units supplied by this workshop did not withstand t'
rigorous testing under different soil conditions, thus forcing
CPATSA to look for the alternative. On the-other hand the
industrialized production of similar machines by CEMAG (Ceara Maqnu
Agricolas) Fortaleza, through the Convenio CEEMAT/EMBRAPA/EMBRATER
also contributed in reducing the interest on the part of CPATSA ar'
on my personal behalf in boosting the fabrication of this type of
machines by local workshop.
The specific purpose machines developed so far have been tested
on experiment station and on farmers' field and no systematic efft'
has been made, so far, to get them manufactured on the commercial
scale.
The publications related-to this activity have been of two typ -
-The first type, in the form of technical circular or communication
aimed to meet the need of urban workshops and others interested in
fabricating them. The second type, in the form of technical artic'
have been aimed-for divulgation of basic concepts of new machines
their operational details.
Publications
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1980. How to Construct Multicultor (
in urban workshop, Technical Comunication n2 3. CPATSA/EMBRAPA.
Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 22. (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1981. Multicultor CPATSA: Fabricali
and Use, Technical Circular nG 6, CPATSA/EMBRAPA. Petrolina(PE)
Brazil. pp. 96. (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1981. Development of Multicultor CPATSA
II. A Research under Progress n2 13. CPATSA/EMBRAPA. Petr.olina(PE),
Brazil. pp. 6. (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1984. Low Cost Animal-drawn wheeled tool carrier. World
Animal Review. FAO, Rome. (in press).
LAL, HARBANS,SILVA, A.S.,PORTO, E.R. and COSTA, A.M. 1984. Ridger-blade; a
multipurpose equipment for cultivation system of "in-situ" rain-
water harvesting technique. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, Bra-
silia, 19(11): 1385-1393, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and SILVA, A.S. 1985. --Development of Appropriate
Mechanization for "W" form-of Soil Management System. Soil and
Tillage Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands (under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (1980-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for Northeast
Brazil; Part III. Machinery Development and Adaptation. IICA/
EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 137-253.
CHAPTER 1.4
MACHINERY EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT
Introduction
The activity on machinery evaluation and management has been geared
to evaluate the performance of the agricultural machines on
experimental test plots or on the operational scale. The basic
objectives have been to quantify field capacity, field efficiency
and economical parameters of traditional and newly developed machines.
The studies carried out under this activity can be broadly
classified into two following categories:
Field scale experimentation and observations to quantify
operational parameters of the machines-
Analytical studies aimed to develop simple mathematical models to
predict the performance of the machine.
Both types of studies have generated number of publications.
Publications
LAL, HARBANS, 1981. Operational performance of animal-drawn wheeled
tool carrier for broadbed-and-furrow system. Proceedings of XI
Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineering 22-7 Jun. Brasilia
(DF). pp. 1147-5-9 (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1982. Operational performance of wheeled
tool carrier for plowing and ridging. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasi-
leira, 17(8): 1191-1212. (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1983. Simple Mathematical Model of field efficiency
and quantification of its components for animal-drawn wheeled
tool-carrier, Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 18(3): 649-56.
(portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and FREIRE, L.C. 1984. Operational cost of animal-drawn
agricultural implements in various sizes of farm holdings.
Research Bulletin 21. CPATSA/EMBRAPA, Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 33.
(portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1984. Improved nomographs for estimating field capacity
and field efficiency for agricultural field operations, AMA-
Agricultural Mechanization in Asia Africa & Latin America, Tokyo,
Japan. (in press).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985.. Mechanics-of animal-drawn wheeled tool carrier,
Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, London, UK (in press).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (19;0-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for Northeast
Brazil; Part IV; Machinery evaluation and management, IICA/EMBRAPA-
CPATSA, Petrolina(PE), Brazil. pp. 254-346.
CHAPTER 1.5
AGRONOMICAL STUDIES RELATED TO MACHINERY
( Tillage and Planting )
Introduction
The agronomical studies relatedtomachinery has been aimed to define
the "Soil, Machine and Plant Relationship" under traditional and
improved crop production systems.
The traditional crop production systems of the region for dryland
agriculture (totally dependent on rainfall) based on the engineering
aspects (soil management and implements use) can be grouped,
predominantly in the following three categories:
a. Cultivation on flat using tractorized implements for land
preparation (plowing and harrowing) and animal-drawn or manual
implements for other operations (planting, weeding etc.),
b. Cultivation on flat using animal-drawn implements for land
preparation and weeding, and manual implements for other operations
(planting, etc.).
c. Cultivation on flat using manual implement for all the
operations.
The cultivation on flat generally along the slope on slopping lands
with low management level results in low productivity of the land and
manpower under eratic and badly distributed rainfall of the region.
Table 1 presents precipitation received at Petrolina(PE) during 1981-
85 showing the variation of rainfall distribution within a rainy
season and over a period of five rainy seasons. It has been estimated
that for Petrolina region, with presently used production and
management techniques, the probability of success of -any crop is only
10%.
Y C
TABLE 1: Precipitation received at Dry-land Experiment station of CPATSA/EMBRAPA during 1981-85-.
YEAR
JAN
1981, 30.8
(5//)1
1982 73.5
(5/2)
1983 77-7
(9/2)
1984 9.6
(2/0)
1985 286.6
(22/7)
FEB
4.3
(3/0
26.4
(3/1
116.
(7/4
3.1
(4/0
84.9
(8/3
MONTHLY PRECIPITATION
MAY JUN JUL
MAR
45-.3
I) (15/0)
,51.5
) (7/1)
1' 115,1
). (12/3)
317.2
i) (15/8)
172.0
I) (15/5)
APR
41.6
(6/2)
44.0
(6/1)
146.2
(15/3)
151.6
(13/7)
4.1
(3/0)
17.5
(2/1)
5.6
(3/0)
(mm)
AUG
1.7
(1/0)
10.2
(2/0)
0.9
(1/0)
SEPT OCT
NOV
15.0
(2/1)
7.4
(3/0)
1.8
(1/0)
89.5
(5/3)
1.4
(1/0),
4-. 1
,( 1/0) )
25.3
(6/0)
15.6
('10/0)
Supplied by Mr. Malaquias da S. Amorim Neto,
Figures in the brackets represents the ratio
with more than 10 mm of precipitation.
NA- Not available.-
Agroclinatologist o
f CPATSA/EMBRAPA,
Petrolina(PE),
of total number of rainy clays to the rainy days
I-.
DEC
11.4
(5/1)
42.3
(4/1)
13.7
(2/1)
NA NA NA NA
8.3
(6/0)
5.3
(3/0)
69.9
(10/3)
^L-_-_-y ly ~~~~lly- LL (IIIUYLLIIYI(~JB)L~~~L~IY~ili;llj. (L~
It means that farmer is-going to lose his crop for 9-years out of
every 10 he plants. To reduce this risk, planting a mixture of
crops with little or no systematic arrangement is the common practise
followed by the farmers of the region. The other common practice,
to reduce the affect of draught during cropping season, is to maintain
low plant population. It has been observed on farmers' field, the
p pulation of 10,000 hills/ha of beans with two to three seeds per
S1 as compare to 20.000 hills/ha, generally, recommended for the
r -ion. Under these circumstances where crop failure or low crop
yield are associated with inadequate water supply, the research to
quantify the causes of failure and to develop and evaluate alternative
means to increase and stabilize the production breeks no delay.
As a mechanization specialist, I also contributed to these efforts
by evaluating traditional tillage and planting techniques and
developing and evaluating alternatives soil preparation and planting
systems to improve the-probability of success of crop production in
the region.
The systematic efforts on this line of action was initiated from 1983
so most of the publications on this aspects of mechanization have been
recently compiled which have been recently submitted to scientific
journals in for their initial review.
Publications
LAL, HARBANS, SILVA, A.S., PORTO, E.R. & NUNES, P.F. 1983. A new type
of "in-situ" rainwater harvesting technique for stabilizing crop
production in semi-arid tropics. XIII Brazilian Congress of
Agricultural Engineering-18-21 Jul. Rio de Janeiro(RJ), Brazil.
(portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Characterization and need of tillage research for
dryland agriculture for northeast Brazil, Journal of Agricultural
Engineering, ISAE, India (under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Effect of different methods of soil preparation
on soil moisture loss, weed growth and soil compaction, Agricultural
Mechanization for Asia, Africa and Latin America, Tokyo-Japan.
(under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Specific pull for plowing with different tool
bars/carrier over various moisture regimes, Agricultural Mechanization
for Asia, Africa and Latin America, Tokyo-Japan (under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Influence of different levels of press wheels on
seedling emergence under various moisture regimes- of Latossol of
northeast Brazil, Soil and Tillage Research, Amesterdam-Netherlands
(under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Evaluation of flat and broadbed-and-furrow systems
jf cultivations using animal-drawn and tractorized implements, Pes-
quisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, Brasilia-Brazil (under review).
COSTA, E.M. and LAL, HARBA-NS, 1985. Experiences with new type of "in-
situ" rainwater harvesting techniques during 1983. Quinquennial
(1980-84) report of research and development activities on
agricultural mechanization for northeast Brazil, agronomical studies
related to machinery (tillage and planting), IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA,
Petrolina(PE), Part V. pp. 368-85, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Complimentary results of the experiments about
the new technique of "in-situ" rainwater harvesting. Quinquennial
(1980-84) report of research and development activities on
agricultural mechanization for northeast Brazil, agronomical
studies related to machinery (tillage and planting), IICA/EMBRAPA-
CPATSA, Petrolina(PE), Part V.- pp. 386-441, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Evaluation of different types of "W" form of
soil preparation systems, IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina(PE),
(under review).
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (1980-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for northeast
Brazil; Part V. Agronomical studies related to machinery (tillage
and planting), IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina(PE), Brazil.
pp. 347-441.
CHAPTER 1.6
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
( Farming Systems Research and Training )
Introduction
The role of agriculture mechanization in the multi-disciplinary
research and extension can be summarised through the following
citation (INN, 1980)
"The machinery should be looked as a requirement to support the
farming systems that has been formulated and not other way round. The
farming system is a dog and machinery the tail. And it is accepted
.-actise that the dog should wag the tail".
With these point in view the efforts right from the beginning'has
been to develop-activities in agricultural mechanization-to fit in the
overall objective, "to develop appropriate farming systems for the
northeast",bf the CPATSA.
The activities carried out under this line of action has
been triple fold:
To generate documents relating agricultural mechanization
activities to farming systems being developed by the CPATSA,
Colaborate with other-specialists of the CPATSA in elaborating
documents on farming systems research of CPATSA,
participate in planning and executing-research on farming systems
on experiment research station and on farmers' field alongwith other
specialists of the CPATSA.
As regards the extension activity (training) it is well recognized
INN, M. 1980, Animal Power in Agricultural Production with special
reference to Tanzania, World Anim. Review, FAO: 2-10.
that mechanization alongwith appropriate soil and crop management
systems developed for improving and stabilizing crop production for
the region can only bear fruits if the training of extensionists
and other fellow researchers of state organization is organized on
regular basis. I have been participating in specialized training
programs on operation and maintenance of animal-drawn tool bars and
tool carriers and traditional implements and also collaborating
with land and water management and inter-cropping groups in training
related to their respective fields by contributing special lectures on
agricultural mechanization.
The wider divulgation of the research results have been made by
participating and presenting papers in various national congresses
and simposiums apart from publishing them in national and foreign
journals. The Appendix II gives the list of training and extension
activities, in which I have participated during my stay at CPATSA/
EMBRAPA.
Publications
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1981. Agricultural mechanization for
farming systems of small and medium farmers of semi-arid tropics.
Proceedings of II National Meeting of Soil Conservation Research.
28 July-1 Aug. 1981. Recife(PE), Brazil, pp. 49-72, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS and NUNES, P.F. 1981. Agricultural mechanization with
wheeled tool carrier and some experience of CPATSA. Proceedings
of XI Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineering 22-7 Jun.
Brasilia(DF), Brazil. pp. 1567-76, (portuguese).
LAL, HARBANS, 1983. Animal-drawn wheeled tool carrier a solution for
small holdings. Revista de Mecanizagao Rural, Sao Paulo, 3(18): 24-
30. (portuguese).
LIMA, A.F., PORTO, E.R., PINARE, A.G.V., LOPES, L.H., OLIVEIRA, M.C.,
VALLEE, G.J.A., DORASWAMY, G. and LAL, HARBANS, 1984. Farming
Systems Research in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Tropics; the
Experience of Ouricuri, State of Pernambuco, Farming Systems
Research Symposium, Kansas State University, Oct. 7-10, p. 22.
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Animal-drawn wheeled tool carrier; An appropriate
mechanization for improved farming systems. AMA- Agricultural
Mechanization for Asia, Africa and Latin America. Tokyo-Japan,
Vol. 16, n2 1, pp. 38-44.
LAL, HARBANS, 1985. Quinquennial (1980-84) report of research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization for northeast
Brazil; Part VI. Multi-disciplinary research and extension
(Farming Systems and Training). IICA/EMBRAPA-CPATSA, Petrolina(PE),
Brazil. pp. 441-547.
CHAPTER II.
LOOKING AHEAD
( Suggestions for Future Work )
18
CHAPTER II.
LOOKING AHEAD
( Suggestions for Future Work )
Unlike many consultants who are generally hired for solving
specific problems in an established program, I have had the chance
to participate in the mechanization research program of CPATSA right
from beginning (1979) till date (1985). During this period, the
program has developed sufficiently and has acquired a definite
position among the national and international colleagues working on
similar aspects.
Never-the-less, the mechanization research just like that of
other areas of agriculture is a continuous process demanding
continuous -attention of local researchers and administrators. There-
fore, I would like to register here some of the general guidelines
about the future prospective and line of action of the program.
The mechanization research program of CPATSA has received on
continuous basis, apart from my consultancy, the French Experts
within the agreements of CEEMAT/EMBRAPA/EMBRATER. I feel that with
my contributions and that of French and local Experts the research
program (Agricultural Mechanization) has developed sufficient number
research projects on virtually every aspect of mechanization
ranging from development of machinery to the studies related to
alternative energy sources. However, due to the lack of appropriate
coordination and necessary support staff, many of the projects were
cancelled or are paralised. Therefore a critical analysis is
urgently sought for-to reactivate some of the important but
paralised/cancelled projects.
The definition and scope of research project within EMBRAPA system
has been changing and becoming clearer since 1981. Unlike 1980 when
it was thought appropriate to develop a single project on
agricultural mechanization covering the proposals of my consultancy
and that of the French Expert, at present, a research project is set
to be problem oriented with a well defined objectives, hypotheses
and methodology. With this definition of a research project, the
execusion of one project would lead to identification of many other
related problems, apart from solving the initial one. Therefore, I
would suggest that the on-going research projects should be executed
with awareness to identify other related problem and to continue the
process.
At this moment, I recall the well established definition of
research and the role of researcher. The research and job of the
researcher is not complete till the experiences of both (research
and researcher) are widely known. One of the easy and fast media of
wider circulation of the results is through publication in recognized
scientific and technical journals. I feel,the mechanization team
of CPATSA/EMBRAPA need to be motivated to analyse a great pool of
data generated and make the results available to the scientific and
farming community of Brazil and elsewhere.
The success of agricultural mechanization research, specially its
aspects of machinery development and adaptation, depends very much
on the participation and the interest of machinery manufacturers of
the region. It is therefore recommended that the industrialists should
be involved, right from beginning in the development of new prototypes
or adapting the existing one. I feel, rather strongly, that the
development of new machine is not complete, till some manufacturer
has taken it up for mass production. With this point in view, it is
f
recommended that development of new prototypes should be restricted
to the machines which are urgently needed for the region and should be
made simple enough to generate interest of the manufacturers for its
mass production and commercialization.
Till date, the major efforts of the research team on agricultural
mechanization of CPATSA has been concentrating on various aspects of
dryland agriculture; totally dependent on rainfall or supported by
life saving irrigation. And virtually no systematic efforts have been
made to look into the possible areas where mechanization team could
contribute significantly in irrigated agriculture which is ever
increasing in the region. It is, therefore, recommended that
appropriate attention should be given to this neglected area. These
efforts could range from developing appropriate simple equipment
for various field operations to developing appropriate tillage
techniques to minimize the power input for irrigated agriculture. A
study on Mechanization of Irrigation Project, Bebedouro (PE) showed
that a large number of field operations,-except initial land
preparation, are still done by manual labour, thus leaving a lot of
scope for developing simple and inexpensive equipment for these
operations. The same studies also showed that a standard mode of
soil preparation (plowing and/or harrowing complete area) is used for
all the crop, thus leaving a good scope of experimenting alternative
soil preparation techniques inclusive minimum and zero tillage for
certain crops.
The other field which has been completely neglected so far, and
mechanization specialists of the CPATSA could make significant
contribution is the post-harvest technology both for dryland and
irrigated crops of the region. There isan urgent need to evaluate the
existing threshers and to identify most appropriate one(s) for the
crop varieties of the region.
The role of a research centre like CPATSA. whose clients in
general are small and medium farmers with little educational and
technical knowledge, is not complete till they (the farmers) are
trained simultaneously in using the developed technology (specially
Lhe machinery aspects) by the centre-. The researchers in collaboration
with the extensionists should always be ready to impart formal and
informal training to the users of the generated technologies. Once
the technology (the machines in particular) has passed the initial
phases (development and commercialization) the researchers of the
centre should aim to generate information regarding the grade of
acceptability and mode of utilization of the developed machinery in
the region, either through specialized research projects or through
the casual -visits to the region where the machine has become
popular. These efforts should also be aimed to identify causes of
non-acceptability of the machine in other region. A modest start on
this aspect has already been made by developing a special project
to identify the degree of acceptability and utilization of the
wheeled tool carrier/tool bars types of machines on which CPATSA has
been working for last years. This project will be carried out
from early 1986 under -ne coordination of Dr. G.M. Calegar, Economist
of CPATSA/EMBRAPA.
CHAPTER III.
SOME CONCLUDING-REMARKS
23
CHAPTER III.
SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS
My stay at CPATSA/EMBRAPA, as an IICA Consultant has been very
rewarding both on professional and social fronts. The number of pages
of my CV (Curriculum Vitae) has substantially increased with list of
publications and other activities carried out during this period. My
family size has also -ncreased with two more lovely daughters who
were born in Petrolina and would remember it (Petrolina) as their
birth place for whole of their life. I am quite satisfied with my
achievements and my wife joins me on these feelings. We, once again,
would like to repeat that all this has been possible with the
cooperation and help of my Brazilian and other colleagues with whom
we have had social and professional contacts during our stay at Pe-
trolina.
Never-the-less, I would like to register here some of my thoughts
about the role and aspirations of a consultant like me. I have
discussed on these aspects with ITCA and CPATSA administration from
time to time.
It is not within the scope of the present report to define specific roles
and aspirations, individually of any consultant. However, in general
terms, one could say that an international consultant, hired with the
intension to serve on long term basis, should play the role of a
senior researcher. He should be able to organize his own research
projects and should collaborate with other researchers in helping them
to develop and carry out research projects of their interest. In
response to these duties, he (the consultant) aspires for due
recognization of r,his contributions and expects from the local
administration to provide him with sufficient opportunities to divulge
his work, in person, to national and international scientific
community.
Whether the present administrative and technical set up of IICA/
EMBRAPA Contract provides the necessary conditions for the consultants
(internationally hired) to play this role and achieve his aspirations
described above, has been a matter of controversy among the various
IICA/EMBRAPA Consultants with whom I have had opportunity to
discuss on these points over last six years. Therefore I strongly
recommend that IICA/EMBRAPA Coordination should look into the matter
and analyse the existing administrative and technical set up and
modify it, as required, to develop necessary directives within IICA/
EMBRAPA Contracts which would facilitate for the Consultants to
play their role more effectively and also would minimize the
frustrationswhich he (Consultants) faces from time to time because
of present administrative and technical-set up.
With these concluding remarks I would like to say good-by to
all those who have made my present venture, as a mechanization
specialist of IICA stationed at CPATSA/EMBRAPA for last six years, a
great success. I would always like to maintain my professional and
social contacts with all of them. I know that my contributions in
solving mechanization problems fur northeast Brazil, has been like a
drop in ocean but I am aware that-if I would not have done-so, this
drop would have always been missing from the ocean.
_ ~I
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I.
ABOUT THE CONSULTANT
NAME
DURATION OF CONSULTANCY :
PERMANENT ADDRESS
PLACE OF BJRTH
DATE OF BIRTH
CITIZENSHIP AT BIRTH
PRESENT CITIZENSHIP
SEX
MARITAL STATUS
NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS. :
.LANGUAGES PROFICIENCY:
Harbans Lal
6 years
IV/0/48, Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi 110024 India
Kashipur (UP) India
J.:nuary 6, 1949
Indian
Indian
Male.
Married
4
Language
Hindi
English
Portuguese
Spanish
French
Read
Excellent
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Slight
Write
Excellent
Excellent
Very Good
Good
-x-
Speak
Excellent
Excellent
Very Good
Good
-x-
---
---
EDUCATION:
(a) University or Equivalent
Years Attended Degree and
Main
Name and Place Academic
Subjects
From To Distinction
Indian Institute of Technology, 66 1971 B.Tech.Ho) Agricultural
1966 1971 B.Tech.(Hons)
.haragpur (WB), India Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology. Farm Machinery
Kharagpur (WB), India and Power
(b) Schooling and Other Formal Trainings
Years Attended
Certificate/
Name and.Place Type
Diploma
From To
.Central Board of Secondary
Educational, New Dei-India Higher Secondary 1963 1966 Certificate
Educational, New Delhi-India
.Tractor Training and Test- Agricultural Machinery
ing Centre, Hissar(Haryana) Utilization and Jan.74-Mar.74 Certificate
India Managenent
.The Maharastra Agro-Indust-
ries Development Corporat- Machine-y
Apr.74-Apr.74 Certificate
ion Ltd. Poona, Maharastra Management
(India)
.Andhra Pradesh Productivity Quantitative Tech-
Feb.78-Aug.78- Diploma
Council, Hyderabad (India) iques, PERT and-CPM
.Indian Institute of Managem- Operations Research
Oct.78-0ct.78 Certificate
ent,Bariglore (Mysore)- India and Computers
.Department of Human Resour- Scieftific and
Sept.-Oct.81 Certificate
ces, EMBRAPA, Brazil Technical Writings
.Education Foundation of Pe- COBOL and BASIC
Bra C r ProrMay-Oct.84 Certificate
trolina(PE), Brazil Computer Programing
EMPLOYMENT RECORD: (Starting with most recent post).
I. TITLE OF THE POST :
DATES
Agricultural Mechanization Specialist
From Oct. 1979 till Nov. 1985
REASON FOR LEAVING : To pursue higher studies leading to Ph.D.
in Agricultural Engineering
NAME AND ADDRESS OF IICA- Inter-american Institute for Cooperation
EMPLOYER : on Agriculture, Coronado, Apartado 55 San
Jose, COSTA RICA
DUTY STATION : CPATSA/EMBRAPA
Petrolina(PE), Brazil
NAME OF SUPERVISORSS: Dr. Daniel Gustafson
Technical Assessor IICA/EMBRAPA
NATURE OF WORK : Research, Development and Training
JOB RESPONSIBILITY To organize activities of CPATSA (Agricultural
Research Centre for Semi-Arid Tropics) in the
field of agricultural mechanization by
planning, executing and evaluation of research
in farm machinery and power adopted to
farming systems of semi-arid tropics of
northeast Brazil
PROJECTS HANDLED AND a. Present status of Agricultural Mechanization
ACHIEVEMENTS : in the region:
-Tractorization of Brazilian Agriculture
(1950-82)
-Comercialization of Agricultural Implements
in Brazil (1977-82)-
-Mechanization of Irrigated Agriculture in the
Valley of River San Francisco, Petrolina(PE)
-Rural Transportation Systems in Ouricuri
region of Pernambuco State.
b. Design and Development of improved agricultural
implements:
-Development of Multicultor CPATSA and its basic
implement set
-Development of Multicultor CPATSA II
-Development of animal-drawn and tractorized
implements for implantation, reformation and wwed-
ing for the soil preparation system in the form of
"W"
c. Machinery Evaluation and Management:
-Operational performance of wheeled tool carrier for
basic tillage operations
-Operational cost of animal-drawn implements for
different sizes of land-holdings
-A simple mathematical model and nomographs Jor
estimating field efficiency and-field-capacity
for agricultural field operations
-Mechanics of animal-drawn wheeled tool carrier
u. Tillage and Planting:
-Quantification of effect of different means of soil
preparation (manual, animal-drawn and tractorized
implements) on soil moisture loss, weed growth and
soil compaction
-Quantification of specific pull for plowing with
different tool bars (Policultor 300, 600 e 1500)
on different soil moisture regimes
-Performance of EBRA planter with different soil
compaction wheels on various soil moisture regimes
-Evaluation of flat and broadbed-and-furrow systems
of cultivation with animal-drawn and tractorized
implements
-Development of a system of soil preparation in the
form of "W" to improve rainwater harvesting
efficiency for arid and semi-arid region
-Quantification of optimum dimensions of "W" form
of soil preparation
-Quantification of effect of soil conditioners
(fertilizers, vermiculite and multch) and different
level of weedings on crop yields for the "W" f6rm
of soil preparation system
-Adaptation and testing of "W" form of soil preparat-
ion system to facilitate planting and inter-row
cultivation with available animal-drawn implements.
II. TITLE OF THE POST :
DATES
Agricultural Engineer
From Aug. 75 to Feb. 81
REASON FOR LEAVING : Wider responsibility and better prospects
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ICRISAT- International Crops Research
EMPLOYER Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Patancheru (PO) AP 502.324 India
DUTY STATION : Hyderabad (India)
NAME OF SUPERVISORSS: Mr. G.E. Thierstein
NATURE OF WORK : Research, Development and Training
JOB RESPONSABILITY : To organize and carryout applied research on
agricultural mechanization as a team member
of Farm Power and Equipment-sub-program of
FSRP/ICRISAT, Hyderabad (India-)
PROJECTS HANDLED AND a. Mach-inery development and adaptation:
ACHIEVEMENTS
-Selection, adaptation and testing of -at-
tachments for Tropicultor for broadbed-and-
furrow system of cultivation
-Development of cart-based tool carrier and
its attachments for operations on broadbed-
and-furrow system of cultivation
b. Machinery evaluation and management:
-Evaluation of different types of tool
carriers for improved farming systems
-Quantification of implement use efficiency
as- affected by various factors
-Comparative and operational evaluation of
various machinery systems for broadbed-and-
furrow systems of cultivation
-Ouantification of command area for of
wheeled tool carrier
c. Adoption constraints for improved
--------------------------------
implements:
-Satisfaction level derived by the farmers
from presently used equipment package
-Necessity for improved implements felt by
farmers.
-Awareners about improved implements
-Factors contributory for limited adoption
of improved implements.
III. TITLE OF THE POST:
DATES
Research Technician
: From Aug. 74 to Aug. 75
REASON FOR LEAVING : Promoted
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ICRISAT- International Crops Research
EMPLOYER- : Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropi-cs
1.11-256, Begampet- Hyderabad (AP)- India
DUTY STATION Hyderabad (AP) India
NAME OF SUPERVISORSS). D:. J. Kampen
NATURE OF WORK : Research, Development and Training
JOB RESPONSABILITY : To participate in the operational scale
farming system research of ICRISAT with the
responsibility for selection, adaption and
testing of appropriate machinery for improved
and traditional systems of farming
PROJECTS HANDLED AND a. Development and testing of machine:
ACHIEVEMENTS
-Development of animal-drawn relay planter
cum fertilizer applicator
-Modification of animal-drawn buck-scrapper
-Adaption of KENMORE tool carrier
-Adaption of a local seed-cum-fertilizer
drill.
IV. TITLE OF THE POST :
DATES
Full time volunteer
From June 73 to Aug. 74
REASON FOR LEAVING : Wider responsibility and better prospects
NAME AND ADDRESS OF FREA- Front for Rapid Economics Advance for
EMPLOYER : India, Bombay (Maharastra) India
DUTY STATION Patoda (Dist.Bir..) Maharastra
NAME OF SUPERVISORSS: Mr. Ulas Gore
NATURE OF WORK : Development, Extension and Management
JOB RESPONSABILITY : To strengthen FREA team of Marathwada region
of India through planning and installation
of an Agro-Service Centre to make its Patoda
(Bir.) base self supporting
SPECIFIC WORKS CARRIED -Organization and execution of custon hire
OUT : service-of agricultural machines available
at FREA- base in Patoda
-Adaptation of a tractor-drawn 9 tine
cultivator to a.9- row-planter
-Orientation to the farmers in proper use
of traditional and modified equipment.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Member- American Society of Agricultural Engineers (USA)
Member- International Soil Tillage Research Organization, Wageningen
(NETHERLANDS)
Ex-Member- British Society for Research in Agricultural Engineering
(UK)
Life Member- Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (INDIA)
Member- Brazilian Society of Agricultural Engineering (BRAZIL)
Member- National Society of Agriculture (BRAZIL).-
INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVELS
I have considerably toured around the world I have been to Paris
(FRANCE), Rome (ITALY), London (UK), Amsterdam and Wageningen-
(NETHERLANDS), Bangkok (THAILAND), Tokyo (JAPAN), and Los Angels,
Columbus and New York (USA). In India and Brazil, I have visited
most of the institutions and universities engaged in research,
extension and teaching in Agricultural Engineering and have visited
National Tillage Laboratory (NETHERLANDS) and University of
Reedings (UK).
SPECIAL REMARKS
I have been actively involved and have made significant
contributions as a mechanization expert in multi-disciplinary -team
of researchers of ICRISAT and-that of CPATSA/EMBRAPA in their-
Farming Systems Research Program at experiment stations and on
farmers' field.
I-have been faculty member in various courses and training
programs organized by-CPATSA/EMBKAPA in Brazil and by ICRISAT in
India.
I have attended numerous national and international congresses,
conferences and seminars and presented technical and scientific
papers.
I have worked as a Coordinator of Discussion Group on
Mechanization and Energy during I Brazilian Symposium of -Semi-Arid
Tropics, in Olinda(PE), Brazil.
SI have delivered number of invitational lectures at various
Indian and Brazilian Universities.
SA television report on Multicultor CPATSA (A machine developed
by me in Brazil) was considered the best of the year (1980) and CPATSA
received over 5000 letters requesting the details of the machine.
Over ten thousands copies of the bulletin on Multicultor CPATSA
of my authorship have been distributed attendingthe requests
within Brazil and overseas.
I have oriented graduate (M.S.) research thesis of agricultural
engineering students of UFPb (Federal Universities of Paraiba),
Campina Grande.
POSSIBLE ADDRESSES FOR FUTURE CONTACTS
c/o Mr. RAM LAL
IV/0/48, Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi 110024
INDIA
c/o Dr. J. WAYNE MISHOE
Graduate Coordinator
Agricultural Engineering Department
IFAS, University of Florida
Frazier Rogers Hall.
Gainesville, Florida 32611
USA
APPENDIX II.
TRAINING AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Training:
For animal operators about the use of wheeled tool carrier types
of implements (Jan.-March 1980),
For extensionists and researchers about agricultural mechanization,
Petrolina(PE)(April 1981, April 1982),
For extensionists about the "in-situ" rainwater harvesting
technique, Petrolina(PE), Oct. 1982,
For engineers of Sertanejo Project about the implantation of "W"
form of soil preparation system, Ouricuri(PE)(March 1984).
Demonstrations and Orientations:
Operational demonstration of Multicultor CPATSA II to
Technology Diffusion Team of CPATSA/EMBRAPA, July 1981,
Orientation to local workshops.in fabrication and repair of
wheeled tool carrier types of implements (1980-82).
Participations and Presentations of Papers:
--------------------"------"---'-------
Internal Seminar to CPATSA researchers on "Agricultural
Mechanization Research Program for Farming Systems of Semi-Arid
Tropics", Petrolina(PE), July 25, 1980,
IIIrd. National Meeting about Soil Conservation Research,
Recife(PE), July 28-Aug. 1, 1980,
I Regional Meeting of Engineers of Project Sertanejo, Petroli-
na(PE), July 14-17, 1980,
National Meeting on Small Irrigation, Brasilia(DF), Aug. 11-13,
1981,
35
XI Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineering, Brasilia(DF),
July 22-28, 1981,
Internal Seminar to CPATSA researchers "Agricultural Mechanization
Research Program of CPATSA: Retrospectives and Prospectives", Petro-
lina(PE), Aug. 28, 1981,
Short Course on Scientific and Technical Writing, Petrolina(PE),
Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 1982,
XII Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineers, Itabuna(BA),
July 19-23, 1982,
VI Academic Week of Agricultural Engineering, UFPEL- Federal
University of Pelotas-RS, Pelotas(RS), Sept. 20-24, 1982,
I Brazilian Symposium of Semi-Arid Tropics, Recife(PE), Aug. 16-
20, 1982,
I Regional Meeting of Intercropping, Petrolina(PE), Nov. 10-12,
1982,
XIII Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineering, Rio de Ja-
neiro(RJ), July 18-21, 1983,
Regional Meeting on Farming Systems Research, Petrolina(PE),
Aug. 18-28, 1983,
XIV Brazilian Congress of Agricultural Engineering, Fortaleza(CE),
July 22-27, 1984,
Invitational lecturers at various Indian and Brazilian
Universities. (July-Sept. 1982),
Program Meeting on Farming Systems Research on Dryland
Agriculture, Ouricuri(PE), Aug. 21-22, 1984,
Program Meeting on Farming Systems Research on Irrigated
Agriculture, Petrolina(PE), Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 1984,
S- Presentation of Mechanization Research Program of CPATSA to the
term of directors of international program of various american
universities, Petrolina(PE), Nov. 27, 1984,
36
Presentation of Quinquennial (1980-84) report on research and
development activities on agricultural mechanization of northeast
Brazil to various authorities of IICA/EMBRAPA and to professors and
students of various Brazilian Universities, Brasilia(DF), Campinas
(SP), Piracicaba(SP), Campina Grande(PB), Petrolina(PE), Mar.-Sept.
1985.-
APPENDIX III.
ANALYTICAL SUMMARY OF PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED
DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH IICA/EMBRAPA
( Oct. 1979 to Nov. 1985 )
Published Articles
Conference
or Brazilian Foreign
Year Institute Total
popular journals journals
articles
in in in
press press press
1980 2 1 3
1981 4 2 6
1982 1 1 2
1983 4 2 1 7
1984 3 1 2 2 3 11
1985 6. 2* 6- 14
Total 20 4 5 2 3 9 43
Under review.-
38
APPENDIX IV.
SOME ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Publications
LAL, HARBANS, 1971. Components of water loss form puddled paddy field.
B.Tech. Thesis. I.I.T. Kharagpur (WB), India. pp. 31.
LAL, HARBANS, 1973. Design and development of paddy stripper
harvesting. M.Tech. Thesis. I.I.T. Kharagpur (W), India. pp. 55.
KRISHNA, J.H. and LAL, HARBANS, 1975. Optimum resource management and
use of improved animal-drawn implements in farming systems research
at ICRISAT. Annual Workshop on Agricultural Engineering Research
28-31 Oct. 1975. Punjab Agricultural University, Lundhiana, India.
THIERSTEIN, G.,. LAL, HARBANS, KAMPEN, J. and KRANTZ, B. A. 1976. Farm
Machinery Program at ICRISAT. Annual Research Engineers Workshop
for Research and Development of Farm Implements and Machinery, 17-
27 Dec. 1976. Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendra
Nagar, Hyderabad. India.
BANSAL, R.K., LAL, HARBANS and MAYANDE, V.M. 1980. Mechanizing
farming in semi-arid tropics. Andhra Pradesh Chapter, Indian Society
of Agricultural Engineers, Hyderabad, India.
LAL, HARBANS, 1981. Present status of agricultural mechanization of
India and its evolution at ICRISAT. Proceedings of XI Brazilian
Congress of Agricultural Engineering 22-7 Jun. Brasilia(DF), Brazil,
PP- 1339-47 (portuguese).
Contributions to Institutes' Reports:
FSRP/ICRISAT Annual Reports
1974-75
Adaptation of Planet Jr. Seeders for relay planting and fertilizer
application (pp. 65),
Modification of buck scrapper (pp. 62),
SAdaptation of Kenmore tool carrier (pp. 62),
SAdaptation of fluted feed roller mechanism for fertilizer
application (pp. 64).
1975-76
Evaluation of different types of tool carriers for improved
farming systems,
Selection and fabrication of attachments of Tropicultor for
improved farming systems.
1976-77
Implement use efficiency as affected by different factors,
Quantification of time efficiency for different field operations,
SDevelopment of cart-based tool carrier and its attachments.
1977-78
Evaluation of low-cost tool bars and tool carriers for improved
farming systems,
SEffect of field lay-out on machinery capacity for bed farming
and inter-row cultivation.
40
Annual Bulletin of EMBRAPA's Research Results
1981
Development of Multicultor CPATSA.
1982
Improvements in Multicultor CPATSA,
Development of Multicultor CPATSA II.
Special Reports:
Research program on farmer's field in the region of semi-arid
tropics retrospectives and prospectives. CPATSA/EMBRAPA. Petrolina
(PE), Brazil (1983).
Evaluation of impact of technologies generated by CPATSA as an
integrated component of farming systems of farmers of Ouricuri(PE)
region. A Research Project, Research Program of Farming System of
Semi-Arid Tropics. CPATSA/EMBRAPA-. Petrolina(PE), Brazil (1983).
The "in-situ" rainwater harvesting technique of CPATSA/EMBRAPA,
ISTRO-INFO. Soil and Tillage Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands, No. 21.
Sept. 1984. pp. 495-98.
APPENDIX V
TIPS FOR EFFICIENT CONSULTANT AND USEFUL CONSULTANCY
In general, as far as effective use of a consultant is concerned,
one must separate two major activities: the institution building and
problem solving, and define these two functions and the type of foreign
technicians accordingly.
It needs to be recognized that an individual with specialised
competence can often make a notable contribution in a short period of
time, provided the existing staff are able to convey their experience
and understanding of problems to the new staff member and in turn profit
from his special knowledge and skill. But all too often the core staff
to provide that continuity and fruitful interaction has been lacking.
It is almost inevitable that a foreign scientist will lack a
deep understanding of existing farming systems and the constraints
that conditions the ability and willingness of local farmers to accept
innovations.
The "Capacity Transfer" should be the major role of Institution
Building Consultants. They should build in the host country a
capacity that with time will enable the production of locally adaptable
technology following prototypes-which exists abroad or might even
create completely new prototypes together with local researchers and
supporting institutions. They should:show how to modify. imported
machinery designs in order to meet local climatic and social
requirements and factors endowment of the economy.
Extracts from "Making Effective Use of Expartriate Personnel" by
Eliseu Roberto de Andrade Alves and Levon Yeganiantz, Respectively Ex-
president of EMBRAPA and Ex-consultant IICA; A paper presented at the
workshop on "Increasing the Productivity and Impact of Agricultural
Research" held at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakatra, Indonesia (Asia),
November, 1980.-
It is highly desirable that the contract of Institution
Building consultant be long term so that he can become completely
involved with the problemsof the country/organization that he is
serving.
It is advisable that the national institution who employs the
consultant helps them to feel that they are welcome and useful. They
should be part of all meetings, field days etc. including social
events. By clearly specifying what is expected of them and then
giving them complete freedom to work the necessary relationship can
be achieved.
The Problem Solving Consultant hired on short term basis can
make his best contribution if at first the local technicians and
admistrators have defined clearly the specific research problem.
The work of expartriate scientists should be looked on the
basis of the of cooperation and partnership. The visiting scientists
should not be working "for" the host institution and their scientists,
rather they should work "with" them.
9.
10.
APPENDIX VI
SCHEDULE FOR ELABORATION AND
PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT
Inter-american Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
Name of the Consultant: Harbans Lal
Name of the Project: Agricultural Mechanization for Semi-Arid
Tropics of Northeast Brazil
Name of the Activity: To strengthen Semi-Arid Production Systems
Objective: Refer to Job Description (Page V)
Period of Consultancy: Oct. 13, 1979 to Nov. 20, 1985
Local: Petrolina(PE), Brazil
Organization Benefited: CPATSA/EMBRAPA and other regional research,
extension and teaching organizations
Collaborating Scientists: Refer to authors of Publications
produced
Persons Interviewed with Local farmers and farm equipment
relations to activities manufacturers.
Developed
11. Activities Developed: Refer to Cahpter I (Page 1 to 17)
12. Results of the Activities: Refer to Chapter I (Page 1 to 17)
13. Conclusions: Refer to Chapter I (Page 1 to 17)
14. Technical Recommendations Refer to Chapter II (Page 18-22)
and Suggestions
15. Circumstances and Happenings outside
IICA affecting activities of
Consultancy
16. Signature of the Consultant:
17. Date of Presentation: Nov. 15, 1985.
Refer to Chapter III
(Page-23-24)
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