Development of a Computer Model to Predict the Performance and Cost of Use of an Acha Harvesting Machine in Nigeria

Abstract

Large scale production of acha (Digitaria specie) has been hampered for non-availability of machines for various aspects of its production. Lack of design data is responsible for lack of development of appropriate harvesters for acha crop. Previous research identified pertinent parameters that affect acha harvesting and the functional relationships between these parameters were developed. These functions required labourious computations to determine an acha harvester Material Capacity, Energy requirements and Cost of the harvest operation. The aim of this paper was to develop a computer model that will simplify the computation of these factors of operation performance. A dynamic programming algorithm was used and a flowchart describing the process was developed, from which a programming code in the Java programing language was adopted. The output from the programme showed that the programme was able to adequately compute the harvester Material Capacity, Energy Required to achieve the observed material capacity as well as the cost of the operation. The paper therefore concluded that the model was able to predict the outcome of acha harvesting operation, and recommends its use by acha farmers and adaptation to similar crops.