The Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers
Not a member yet
1831 research outputs found
Sort by
Comparing Filtration Efficiency of Six Natural Fibres Used in Rainwater Harvesting Systems
No full textIn this study, different natural fibres such as sisal, jute, hemp, coir, oil palm and banana were tested as filter media in rainwater harvesting systems. The superior one among the six fibre media was selected through adsorption studies based on its potential to adsorb nitrate (NO3-) ions from storm water. The results revealed that the adsorption of NO3- for coir, sisal, hemp and banana fibres, occurred mostly within the first 24 h, while the adsorption process took 18 h for oil palm and 6 h for jute fibre. The NO3- ions’ adsorption properties could be adequately described by the Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption capacity of the coir filter medium was found to be higher, followed by oil palm. The sisal, hemp, jute and banana fibres stood in the third to sixth position, respectively, in the order of higher adsorption capacity. Irrespective of the fibres, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water decreased during the first 6 h and remained constant afterwards. Based on the findings of column studies, it was observed that coir fibre performed best in removal of NO3- ions (10.3% removal), followed by sisal (10.1%) and oil palm (7.7%). The high total solids (TS) removal efficiency of 88%, 83.5% and 77% were exhibited by the coir, oil palm and jute fibres, respectively. However, the sisal, oil palm and jute fibres performed well in reducing EC. By comparing sorption capacity and hydraulic performance of different fibres, coir fibre could be recommended as a better filter medium for removing nitrate ions. The findings of the study are useful for developing water filtration systems using bio-degradable fibre materials
Farm Mechanization Holds the Key for Agricultural Transformation Under Emerging Challenges
No full textThis article is based on the lecture delivered by the author on the occasion of 58th Annual Convention of ISAE-2024 & International Symposium on “Agricultural Engineering Education for Aspiring Youth in Transforming Agriculture” organized during November 12-14, 2024 at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhan
Research requirement of agricultural engineering sector and formulation of new scheme at national level
Get PDFApplication of engineering in agriculture is getting momentum all over the world due to its long term benefit solution to the farming community besides attainment of sustainability in agriculture. Migration of people from agriculture to urban areas is inevitable due to socio economic changes. Application oriented agricultural engineering research is imperative for maximizing the input use efficiency, reducing post harvest losses, increasing the value addition of different agricultural produce, better utilization of agricultural waste for increasing the organic matter content of soil, promoting the utilization of solar energy in agriculture and thus increase the net income of the farmers. To retain the soil, water and youth in agriculture, agricultural engineering comprising of soil and water conservation, water management, farm machinery and power, post-harvest technology and value addition and agro energy activities in a dovetailed manner with a watershed approach shall be formulated at National level to retain the valuable soil and water resources besides encouraging youth to take up farming as a remunerative activity
Effect of parboiling on cooking characteristics of finger millet and foxtail millet
Get PDFExperiments on parboiling of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica) were conducted by soaking at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70°C and steaming for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min. The parboiled millet grains were shade dried and pearled in a laboratory scale pearler-polisher. The cooking characteristics of these parboiled millet grains were assessed in terms of cooking time, water uptake, swelling index and expansion ratio. In the case of finger millet, the cooking time, water uptake, swelling index and expansion ratio ranged 8-13 min, 1.6-3.7 g/g, 0.98-2.27 and 1.26-1.69, respectively. For foxtail millet these quality parameters ranged 9-13 min, 2.5-4 g/g, 1.32-2.75 and 1.45-2.4, respectively. Soaking at 70 and 60°C and steaming for 20 and 10 min, respectively for finger millet and foxtail millet resulted in better cooking characteristics, viz., water uptake, swelling index and expansion ratio, and lower cooking time
An instrumentation system for monitoring field performance of agricultural tractor under ballasting and non-ballasting conditions
Get PDFAn instrumentation system was developed and installed on 39 kW agricultural tractor to conduct field performance test of tractor-implement system. The system was intended to be used for compilation of a database for draft requirement of tillage implements. The installed instrumentation on tractor was designed to measure compression and tensile forces of three-point linkage to calculate draft; pulse counter to measure forward speed; depth of the implement and fuel consumption. Microprocessor-based data acquisition system of SoMatEDAQ was linked to –computing device using suitable transducers for recording of field data. Developed instrumentation system was validated in laboratory conditions and field performance parameters were evaluated using 2-bottom and 3-bottom reversible mould board plough under-ballasted and non-ballasted conditions. It was observed that 1–3% less fuel was consumed with 230 kg ballast weight on rear wheels as compared to non-ballasted wheels
Study on optimization of mechanical peeling for sweet potato
Get PDFThe aim of this research work was to optimize the machine parameters of a commercially available tuber peeler for peeling of sweet potato to get maximum yield with minimum loss. The process was proposed for different parameters such as peeling efficiency, material loss and peeling effectiveness at different speeds of rotating disc (300, 400 and 500 rev/min or 5.4, 7.2 and 9 m/s), peeling durations (20, 40 and 60 s) and batch loads of 1 and 2 kg. The study revealed that the peeling parameters were greatly influenced by the speed of rotating disc, peeling duration and batch loads. The optimal conditions for peeling sweet potato were a peeling duration of 40 s and speed of rotating disc of 500 rev/min 2 kg batch loads. The corresponding peeling efficiency, peeling effectiveness and material loss were 83.8±2.0%, 74.2±1.3% and 11.45±0.71%, respectively. Further, the study showed that a batch load of 2 kg was suitable for commercial processing of sweet potato than 1 kg because of better performance indices of peeling
Transforming Agriculture through Innovation
No full textIndia accounts for only about 2.4% of the world’s geographical area, but has to support about 17% of the world’s human population and 15% of the livestock. Agriculture is an important sector of the Indian economy, accounting for about 20% of the nation’s GDP. Agriculture in India is currently growing at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. Increasing demand for industrialization, urbanization, housing and infrastructure is forcing conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. The scope for expansion of the area available for cultivation is limited. As per agriculture census 2015-16, small and marginal holdings of less than 2 hectare account for 86% of the total operational holdings and 47% of the total operated area. Reduction in agricultural workers and climate change necessitates the innovative tools and machineries to accelerate the agricultural operations, save environment and improve livelihood not at local but global level. Evolution of Agricultural Engineering machineries and efforts of Indian Agricultural machinery industry, is transforming the Indian agriculture, aiding in saving environment and improving livelihood at much faster pace than any other countries. The combine share of agricultural workers and draught animals in total farm power availability in India reduced from 60.8% in 1971-72 to 10.1% during 2012-13. On the other hand, the share of tractor and electric motor in farm power availability increased from 6.8 to 45.8% and 14.0 to 26.8%, respectively during the last 41 years. The current trend in sale of tractors indicated the highest share of 49% for 31-37 kW category and followed by 33% share for 23-30 kW tractors. The requirement of higher power category tractors in India increased for using higher capacity machines on custom hiring basis. The total power availability on Indian farms has increased from 0.293 kW/ha during 1960 to 2.54 kW/ ha at present. The average farm power availability needs to be 4.0 kW/ha by 2030 to assure timeliness and quality in the field operations. As per report of Government of India, agricultural mechanization helps in saving of seeds, fertilizers, time 15-20%, 15 – 20 %, and 20 – 30 %, respectively, while it improves germination rate by 7 – 25 %, reduces weeds and laboures by 20 – 40 % and 20 – 30 % respectively. Cropping intensity and yield also increases by 5 – 20 % and 13 – 23 %, respectively due to mechanization. A only few important innovations that transforming production agriculture and aiding in conserving environment cited herewith as an example. 
Value Addition to Cotton By-Products
No full textCotton is a widely cultivated cash crop across the world and India is the largest producer of cotton, which is the major raw material for textile industry. The area under the cotton crop has undergone significant increase in the last decade in order to meet the increasing demand for domestic consumption of cotton by the textile industry. Cottonseed is an important by product that caters to the edible oil requirement and animal feed. Appropriate processing of cottonseed for oil extraction helps to capitalise on the products like linter and hull that has commercial value. The increase in area under cotton has resulted in higher production of biomass, renewable annually, to the tune of 25 million tonnes. Besides household consumption of fuel, the rest of the biomass are burnt in the field. The alternate channels for utilization of crop residue are explored in this paper that can mitigate the impact of field burning of crop residue of cotton on GHG emission. The cotton stalks-based pellets and briquettes as an enterprise can provide avenues for generation of renewable energy on one hand and also serve to provide additional remuneration to the farmers addressing their livelihood issues