The Pluses of Using Combine Harvesters in Farming

Introduction

A classic combine harvester as a universal machine may be adjusted to harvest corn and soybeans (Przybyl & Sek, 2010). The next stage in adjusting the machine for harvesting a particular crop involves changing the harvesting device and mounting relevant working elements of the combine, such as the elongation of a table and equipping it with vertical side scythes designed for harvesting rapeseed (Zak et al., 2007).

The Pluses of Using Combine Harvesters in Farming

Combine harvesters produced in recent years are advanced machines regarding mechatronics. The operation parameters of harvesters are controlled by sensors and processed by an on-board computer, which automatically selects optimal working settings according to existing field conditions (Baruah & Panesar, 2005a, 2005b; Nik et al., 2009; Tanas & Zagajski, 2008). Due to the use of an automatic control system for working units, harvesters have become more efficient. For example, moisture sensors used in harvesters reduce damage and grain losses during the harvesting process (Liu & Leonard, 1993; Miu & Kutzbachb, 2008a, 2008b; Tanas et al., 2008; Tanas & Zagajski, 2010; Molendowski et al., 2012). The integration of such technologies represents a significant evolution in agricultural machinery, enhancing both productivity and sustainability.

Some farmers use manual labor to cut the crop and then use the combine harvester to thresh and clean it stationary. Others follow direct combining but without a special rice grains header attachment. The crop is new and sensitive to harvesting time, and therefore poor adjustment of the combine may lead to poor performance. Thus, operators are essential to improve the efficiency of rice grain direct harvesting, resulting in less labor, fewer losses, high-quality grain, and a reasonable work rate. This efficiency helps farmers achieve high production and good crop quality, which translates to high profit.

The Importance of Rice Grains

Rice grains are one of the major staple foods consumed by 70% of the world’s population. It occupies one-fifth of the total land covered under cereal crops (Chakravarthi & Naravaneni, 2006). Rice, mainly consumed as a whole grain, supplies 20% of daily calories for the world population. The adaptation of rice cultivars to wide climatic conditions has led to the development of thousands of rice varieties with diverse quality features in terms of physical, cooking, eating, and product development characteristics (Bhattacharya, 2005). The diversity and adaptability of rice make it a critical component of food security globally.

Recently, rice harvesting has become a problem for farmers due to labor shortages and, consequently, the increase in wages in the country. With the advent of industrialization, there has been a migration of labor from the agriculture sector to the industrial sector, leaving limited numbers in the latter sector to perform labor-intensive farming activities like harvesting.

The Rise of Combine Harvesters

Consequently, one type of mechanical equipment that has grown rapidly in popularity is Combine Harvesters. It is a technology that combines harvesting, threshing, cleaning, and, in some instances, bagging, in one operation. One series of surveys in the TKR showed that the use of Combine Harvesters increased rapidly between 1996 and 2006 (from a preliminary field study). Fully mechanized harvesting systems have replaced conventional systems using human labor with sickles in harvesting operations in TKR. The main advantages of mechanized harvesting systems are reducing production costs and improving labor efficiency. However, operating combine harvesting machines has great potential to cause negative impacts on the economics of farmers, especially social impacts. The balance between technological advancement and its socio-economic implications remains a critical area for future research and policy-making.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while combine harvesters have revolutionized modern farming by increasing efficiency and reducing labor requirements, it is essential to consider the broader implications of their use. As technology continues to evolve, the agricultural sector must adapt to ensure that the benefits of mechanization do not come at the expense of economic and social well-being. Continuous research and adaptation will be key to achieving sustainable agricultural practices in the future.