What is it?
A rice reaper harvester is a machine to cut down rice panicles at harvest. The cut panicles are laid down by the machine for collection. There are different models. Reapers can be attached to a power tiller (see picture on the right) or can be standalone machines (on the left).
What are the benefits and added value?
Rice harvest is usually done manually. This is time consuming often resulting in major delays and important post harvest losses. Such losses can be direct quantitative losses or indirect losses because of decrease in milling recovery and increase in broken grains.
With the reaper harvester, rice grains can be harvested faster and on time. The grain quality is therefore preserved. The machine is light and flexible and be easily manipulated under wet and dry conditions.
The rice reaper harvester has a capacity of 0.4ha/h.
What are the drawbacks?
It is an investment of high costs. Operators require training on proper use and maintenance of the machine before and after use. Security in the field when operating should be observed to avoid any serious accidents.
Where has it been tested?
The powertillers and its implements have been tested in Mali, Senegal and Uganda.