Energy Consumption and Cost Analysis of Different Chickpea Nipping Operations

Abstract

India contributes 65% in chickpea production over top 10 chickpea growing countries. Chickpea is a rabi crop generally grown after rice. An interculture operation is formed four to six weeks after sowing of chickpea in which chickpea leaves were nipped to boost its growth that is known as nipping. Two to three time nipping needed in chickpea crop. That is important operation that helps for more production. In this study different four nipping methods are discussed viz. manual nipping/plucking (T1), manual harvesting with sickle (T2), battery operated leafy harvester (T3) and engine operated Manual push type engine operated leafy crop harvester (T4). It was observed that minimum energy consumed with battery operated leafy crop harvester and maximum was observed with petrol operated leafy crop harvester. Energy consumption of different nipping methods viz. manual nipping/plucking (T1), manual harvesting with sickle (T2), battery operated leafy harvester (T3) and engine operated Manual push type engine operated leafy crop harvester (T4) were found to be 392.00, 352.79, 191.15 and 839.33 MJ/ha respectively, where the cost of operation was calculated of about 20.09, 18.60, 20.82 and 3.88 ₹/ha, respectively. Petrol operated machinery was consuming more energy it revealed that non-renewable energy source consumed more energy as well as it affects our environment.