Agricultural and Rural Economics

Agricultural and Rural Economics

Economic evaluation of replacing the solar tunnel dryer with Traditional Paddy dryer on the farm

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hormoz Asadi 1
, Hamid Reza Gazor 2
Kobra Tajadoditalan 3
1 Associate Professor of Agricultural Economic researches, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute(SPII), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization(AREEO), Karaj, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Rice Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Rasht, Iran
10.30490/etr.2025.367462.1060
Abstract
The drying process is one of the most important and effective steps in the processing of paddy after harvesting in the field, which is effective in the quality of turning paddy into rice. Objectives of this research, are the economic evaluation of solar tunnel dryers compared with to the traditional drying of Hashemi variety rice in the farm (open space). This research was carried out in 2020-2022. In the first year, the implementation of research on the construction of two solar tunnel dryers was carried out in Alborz province (Agricultural Engineering Research Institute) and the performance evaluation of dryers was carried out for two years in Gilan province (Rice Research Institute of Iran). In this study, in order to economically evaluate, first the cost of building the dryer and the variable costs of the dryers and the open environment were identified, and then the relevant evaluation was performed using the partial budgeting technique and profitability indicators. According to the results, the sum of additional benefits and reduced costs of the use of large and small solar tunnel dryers instead of drying paddy in the open field was greater than the sum of additional costs and reduced income, thus the use of this solar tunnel dryers was economic decision. The benefit-cost ratio of replacing the large and small solar tunnel dryer was determined as 1.74 and 2 unit, respectively, and its accounting rate of return was determined (ARR) as 45.4 and 62.5%, respectively. Therefore, based on the results, it is recommended that the villagers use technologies in drying products in farm that have social- economic advantage.
Keywords
"Paddy rice"
"After harvesting"
"Drying"." Partial budgeting"
"Benefit-cost ratio"
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