Assessment of techno-economic feasibility of conservation agriculture planter for planting of soybean in south coastal region of Bangladesh

The aim of this article is to evaluate the economic viability of soybean cultivation using BARI developed conservation agriculture (CA) based seed planter. This machine was tested and evaluated for planting of soybean in the farmers’ fields at Charwapda village of Subornachar Upazila of Noakhali district during Rabi (Dry winter) season of 2018 and 2019. This study was designed in randomized block design with three treatments and four replications i.e. planting by reduced tillage (RT), conventional tillage and broadcasting method (CT) and dibbling method (DB). Results revealed that the planter effective field capacity and conventional tillage with power tiller (PT) for dry land preparation was found to be 0.078, and 0.033 hah-1, respectively. Less time (43%) required for planting by planter than PT. Costs saved by RT were 27 and 57%, respectively over CT and DB methods. Saving of fuel consumption was 10.00 Lha-1 and reduced carbon (20%) emission to the atmosphere. Significantly the highest economic return (MBCR) was obtained from RT (1.63) planted soybean followed by DB (1.29) and CT (1.16) methods. Considering 10% interest rate, the NPV of the investment were found positive (BDT 97783) as well as estimated IRR was as 34% (>bank interest rate 10%) which reveals the machine investment is considered financially viable. The break-even use and payback period of machine was assessed as 9.65 ha of land per year and 2.71 years, respectively. Therefore, CA seed planter machine may be recommended as profitable for soybean planting in the south coastal region in Bangladesh.