The CSIAP beneficiary farmers from Union Viluthukal Young Farmers Club in Konawil, Kilinochchi, demonstrated the capabilities of walk-behind paddy transplanters in front of World Bank Officials who are on the 14th Implementation Support Mission of the CSIAP in Northern Province. The walk-behind paddy transplanter is designed for transplanting rice seedlings into a puddled and levelled field. It is recommended for small to medium-sized farms. This requires less time than manual transplanting and minimises the drudgery and cost of rice transplanting. Also, it ensures higher crop productivity, optimum plant spacing, and a larger number of seedlings per hill. Moreover, it uses less labour and ensures timely planting, requires less time than manual transplanting, minimises the drudgery and cost of rice transplanting, ensures higher crop productivity and provides optimum plant spacing and number of seedlings per hill. The CSIAP provided Unionviluthukal Young Club with three walk-behind paddy transplanters, three power weeders, transplanting trays, and paddy seeds. Transplanters are used in 40 acres of paddy fields in both the Yala and Maha seasons. The machines given are used, and transplanting nurseries are maintained under the guidance and supervision of Mr. S Diriyan, Agriculture Instructor in Akkarayakulam.
The nursery bed is a crucial component when using a walk-behind paddy transplanter, and its necessity lies in ensuring that the seedlings are grown in a way that matches the machine’s requirements. Here's a breakdown of why it’s needed:
1.
Uniform Seedling Growth: the machine requires uniform seedlings (same height,
density, and maturity) to operate efficiently, and a well-managed nursery
ensures consistent growth, which is key for smooth transplanting.
2.
Mat-Type Seedlings: Walk-behind rice transplanters typically use mat-type
seedlings grown on flat nursery beds (often on plastic sheets or trays), and the
machine lifts and cuts these mats into rows and plants them – random seedlings
won’t work.
3.
Proper Root Structure: Nursery beds are designed to encourage dense, shallow
root systems that hold together well in a mat, and this is essential for the
mechanical fingers of the transplanter to grip and plant the seedlings without
breakage.
4.
Machine Compatibility: The seedling mats must match the dimensions of the
transplanter’s seedling tray, and preparing the nursery bed accordingly ensures
the machine operates without jamming or missed planting.
5.
Time and Labour Efficiency: A properly prepared nursery ensures faster and more
accurate planting, saving time and labour compared to manual transplanting, and poor
nursery prep = machine downtime and manual corrections = lost efficiency.
Mr.
S.M. Saman Bandulasena, Project Director and Specialists from the Project
Management Unit, were also present. Mr.
George Babu, Deputy
Project Director of the CSIAP in Northern Province, organized and facilitated
this World Bank Mission with his provincial staff.
Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2025-04-06