Investment Cost Analysis of the Developed Hand Tractor Driven Onion Harvester

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Rosalinda L. Abad , Hipolito C. Buccat , Zion Jemillinium S. Tam-awen , Jessica A. Pagaduan

Abstract

In the Philippines, manual harvesting of onion is still a practice. For this reason, an onion harvester that is adaptable to local field conditions developed. However, the technical design must be with economic viability to guide the farmers in making accurate decisions for investment. Thus, the study of calculating the  break-even point (BEP), payback period (PP), benefit/cost ratio (BCR), and comparing the cost of manual and mechanical harvesting conceptualized. Based on the results, the recovery of investment cost or PP is 2.03 years; the break-even point is at 4.86 ha/yr, and the BCR is feasible at 2.19. When comparing mechanical and manual harvesting, the former requires a labor of 10 man-day/ha and a cost of PhP4,419.50/ha. The latter of 23 man-day/ha and PhP8,156.95/ha, respectively. The reduction of 13man-day/ha and PhP3,737.45/ha implies a significant advantage when using the machine. Thus, utilizing the cost-effective onion harvester could increase the profitability and productivity of farmers.

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