Techno-economic Evaluation of Power Operated OUAT Finger Millet Thresher: A Case Study in Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Finger millet is a nutritionally important and drought-tolerant crop widely cultivated across India, yet its traditional processing remains labor-intensive and time-consuming. This research addresses the need for mechanized solutions by evaluating a finger millet thresher (OUAT model) at KVK Kanker, IGKV. The investigation began with a comprehensive analysis of the physical and engineering properties of finger millet, which are critical for the effective design and development of threshing machinery. The tested thresher is an axial-flow driven by a 1 hp single-phase electric motor, and is equipped with a semi-circular concave, shaker mechanism, sieves, and an aspirator blower. Peg and canvas type threshing mechanism was used for threshing finger millet. To optimize operational performance and assess the influence of key parameters, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed. the research determined that a 100 kg/h feed rate, 12 m/s peripheral speed, and 14% moisture content yielded maximum threshing efficiency (98.3%), while maximum cleaning efficiency (98.9%) was achieved at 60 kg/h feed rate, 7.5 m/s peripheral speed, and 10% moisture content, and the lowest broken grain percentage (1.3%) occurred at 120 kg/h feed rate, 12 m/s peripheral speed, and 14% moisture content; these findings offer valuable insights for enhancing farmer livelihoods.