The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has signed a pact with Rajarh Agricultural Works to commercialize the Biomass Incorporator, a machine that combines the functions of a mould board plough and a clod crusher. The machine, designed by the Department of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering, reduces the need for secondary tillage operations and incorporates chopped green manure/biomass into the soil to improve soil health. It can be operated with tractors of 50 HP and above and has a field capacity of 0.70 acres per hour. The machine pulverizes soil to 9.0-9.7 mm, compared to 20.7-21.10 mm with conventional mould board ploughs, and has a mixing index of 94.9-98.8 percent for green manuring.
The patent for the Biomass Incorporator has been granted by the Government of India, and the university aims to disseminate its research outcomes to relevant stakeholders at the grassroots level. The machine’s technology is seen as a valuable innovation to enhance farm productivity and soil health in Punjab, said officials present at the signing ceremony.
In detail, the Biomass Incorporator provides the following benefits:
* Reduces the number of secondary tillage operations needed for seedbed preparation
* Incorporates chopped green manure/biomass into the soil for improved soil health
* Can be operated with 50 and above hp tractors
* Field capacity: 0.70 acres/h at a forward speed of 3.5 km/h
* Soil pulverization index: 9.0-9.7 mm (compared to 20.7-21.10 mm with conventional mould board ploughs)
* Mixing index or bury efficiency (for green manuring): 94.9-98.8 percent
The commercialization of the Biomass Incorporator represents a significant step by PAU to make innovative technologies available to farmers, with the potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in Punjab.