Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has invented a harvester that farmers can afford at less than half the cost of the imported one.
The harvester can be used also in small sized lands.
Farmers can avail the rice harvester, revealed at a BRRI programme on Friday, at Tk 1.2-1.3 million while imported one costs Tk 2.5 to Tk 3.0 million.
Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzak, outgoing senior secretary Md Mesbahul Islam, newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Sayedul Islam, Director General of BRRI Shahjahan Kabir, Agriculture Additional Secretary Hasanuzzaman Kallol, also spoke among others at the programme, said a BRRI press release.
If we can use the harvester across the country it could lead to a new revolution of mechanisation in the country, said the agriculture minister.
It will play a unique role in increasing agricultural production and making agriculture profitable, said Dr Razzaque.
BRRI officials said the newly invented harvester is very farmers friendly as it can also be used in a small plot of land.
Its engine is 87 horsepower which could cut a paddy of 3.0-4.0 bighas of land per hour.
Fuel consumption is 3.5-4.0 litres per hour and harvesting loss is less than one per cent.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com