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 American Journal of  
Food Science and Technology (AJFST)

Design of  Manually Operated Four Rows Rice Seeder
Wabi Tafa1*

Volume 1 Issue 1, Year 2022
ISSN: 2834-0086 (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajfst.v1i1.506
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajfst

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: July 21, 2022

Accepted: July 22, 2022

Published: July 24, 2022

In Ethiopia, rice is one of  the targeted agricultural products that has received adequate at-
tention in the promotion of  agricultural output. It is regarded as the “Millennium Crop” and 
is anticipated to help ensure food security in the nation. As a result, over the past few years, 
its production has increased. Despite the growth, there are still a lot of  production system 
issues that need to be resolved, with planting technique leading the list. The farmers contin-
ued to use time- and labor-intensive traditional seed-broadcasting techniques, which led to a 
sharp reduction in output due to an unfavorable plant population. Consequently, in order to 
maintain the ideal plant density and get around the issues with the conventional method of  
disseminating the seed on the farm; there was efforts have made to design suitable planting 
machine for rice. Then depends on the binary dominance matrix traditional seeding tech-
niques (broadcasting), manual planting technique in rows and the newly designed manually 
operated four rows rice were evaluated and it was found that newly designed seeder was 
better than manual method in all parameters. The machinability aspect, which comprises 
installation, simplicity, durability, choice of  material, machine, low pricing, and prolonged life 
span when operated with high utilization with minimal downtime, was properly taken into 
account in order to achieve this design target and goals.

Keywords

Design, Rice Seeder, 
Traditional Seeding, 
Row seeding, Concept 
generation, Binary 
dominance matrix

1 Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Asella Agricultural Engineering Research Center, Asella, Ethiopia.
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: wabitafa@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
Ethiopia’s economy is based on agriculture, which 
accounts for over 46% of  GDP, 83.6% of  employment, 
and nearly 80% of  foreign export revenues. Tiny-scale 
farming accounts for 90–95 percent of  Ethiopian 
agriculture’s production, with 14.2 small subsistence 
households having an average of  0.89 hectares of  land 
each (CSA, 2014). In Ethiopia, rice farming is a relatively 
new development. When wild rice (O. longistaminata) 
was discovered in the marshy and wet portions of  the 
Fogera and Gambella Plains, Gebey et al., (2012) believed 
that efforts to introduce rice into Ethiopia had already 
begun. In Ethiopia, the potential area for rice cultivation 
is thought to be around 30 million hectares, of  which 
more than 5 million ha are very appropriate, according 
to the MoARD (2010) assessment. According to CSA, 
MoARD, and Gebey et al. (2010) and CSA, (2009), the 
crop’s area and output are on the rise. Ethiopia’s current 
rice-producing regions are Amhara, SNNP, Oromia, 
Somali, Gambella, BeniShangulGumuz, Tigray, and Afar. 
Compared to its potential, Ethiopia has a small quantity 
of  land planted in rice. The amount of  imported rice has 
increased along with output levels. 
The Ethiopian government bought 25,667 tons of  rice in 
2008 and 30,082 tons in 2009, respectively. If  rice output 
keeps rising, it is anticipated that the nation will soon be 
able to replace imports and begin exporting (MoARD, 
2010). Generally speaking, rice has enormous potential 
and may significantly impact Ethiopia’s socioeconomic 
development, food and nutritional security, income 
production, and poverty alleviation.
Farmers in many parts of  Ethiopia have expressed a 
strong interest in rice farming and routinely ask for 

new technologies. The crop has been designated by the 
government as “the new millennium crop of  Ethiopia” in 
order to achieve food security because of  its significance 
and potential. However, the lack of  pre-harvest, post-
harvest, and processing technologies, as well as a lack 
of  knowledge on how to use it, were among the biggest 
constraints on rice production in Ethiopia, according to 
Tesfaye et al., (2005). Despite this enormous potential, 
Ethiopian rice farming is largely traditional, with the 
majority of  participants being small-scale farmers with 
modestly sized farms. Similar to this, there aren’t many 
rice production processes that are mechanized, including 
soil cultivation, planting, harvesting, and threshing. 
The majority of  farm tasks are carried out by hand, 
with the aid of  simple hand tools, or with the aid 
of  equipment pulled by animals. One of  the biggest 
mechanization issues addressed was the planting process, 
which was caused by the lack of  an appropriate rice 
planter or seeder. For the purpose of  disseminating rice 
seeds by hand, farmers typically utilize this technique. It is 
evident that the conventional method of  planting cannot 
maintain the ideal plant density in the field while evenly 
distributing the seed. Low efficiency and excessive costs 
are the inevitable results. In comparison to conventional 
hand broadcasting techniques, it was investigated if  rice 
seeding by mechanical means could provide the ideal 
plant population and attain high field capacity. 
Additionally, it is simple to cultivate when the pattern is 
uniform in rows, and the rows offer the chance to employ 
an inter-row cultivator. Devnanai, (2002a), Devnanai, 
(2002b), Tajuddin, and Rajendran, (2002) among many 
others, have claimed that direct sowing of  paddy using 
a drum seeder has led to lower production costs and 

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higher yield when compared to manual transplanting 
and broadcasting approach. The first issue was that 
when the grains were repeatedly discharged from the 
drum through the orifices, the drum’s percentage of  fill 
decreased. This resulted in a non-linear change in the 
grain flow rate, which again affected plant uniformity 
and, ultimately, crop production. The second issue was 
that the seeds continued to fall while rotating near the 
top of  the field, potentially wasting better seed. Third, it 
required frequent refilling and was challenging to gauge 
the quantity of  seeds inside the drum. Even though the 
machine has these restrictions, Ethiopian farmers find it 
difficult to obtain and utilize this kind of  equipment due 
to economic issues and the machine’s lack of  availability 
in the nation. In light of  the aforementioned constraints, 
it is necessary to construct a suitable rice seeder using 
materials that are readily available locally.
Therefore, an effort was made in this work to address 
issues with the traditional methods of  planting rice (both 
broadcasting and row dropping) by creating a four-row 
rice seeder that is both technologically and economically 
feasible. The general objective of  the project was to 
design a four rows rice seeder with the following specific 
objectives.

 To develop functional structure for four rows rice 
seeder.

 To prepare 3D and 2D drawing of  the rice seeder.
 To prepare exploded drawing of  the seeder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Design procedures
This study was carried out after studying different research 
reports which are mentioned in the review of  literature. 
Both primary and secondary sources of  information 
have been exploited to conduct the study. The project 
was conducted using three treatments; Traditional or 
Local planting (broadcasting), and Traditional/manually 
(dropping in rows) rice seeder and manually operated 
four rows rice seeder. Seed rate, seed spacing, planting 
date, and plant population were the factors used for 
comparison.
The methods to be used in this design are: The gathering 
required information which is associated with agricultural 
operation.  Studying the properties of  rice seed. Careful 
consideration and analysis on various parameters led to 
the selection of  the best suitable concept for detailed 
design formulation will be done through the use of  a 
binary dominance matrix.

• The conceptual design of  an appropriate system to 
meet their needs. 

• Modeling (using Solid work 2020 Computer Aided 
Design software). 

• The determination on whether their problem will be 
solved. 

• Specifying material to be used for each component.

Conceptual Design
At this point, the designing of  the rice seeding machine 

begins with the fundamental approach to developing a 
new system in compliance with technical requirements. 
Since rice production in our country is still ongoing, seed 
drilling machines will be developed in accordance with 
demand, as noted in the literature, as one of  the technical 
transformations of  rice product development.

Abstraction
This part is used to identify the general criteria of  the 
Rice seeding machine specially, 

• To develop best drilling system (accurate line spacing 
as possible)

• To decrease energy consumption
• To reduce weight or space required
• To significantly lower initial cost as possible
• To improve production methods

Problem Formulation
• Add the Rice seed in its bucket 
• Start the operation 
• Counting amount of  rice seeds 
• Avoiding stick property of  drilling material 
• Metering space between row 
• Starting drilling the Seed 

Detail design development 
Design Consideration
The four rows rice seeder for direct seeding rice was 
designed as a functional and experimental unit. The design 
of  machine components was based on the principles 
of  operations and lab tests. It was compared with the 
compared conventional method, to give a correct shape 
in form of  design. The mechanical design details were 
also given with due attention so, that it gave adequate 
functional rigidity for the design of  machine.

Agronomical Considerations
Rice agronomist recommendations; 

• Seed rate; it should be in the range of  50 – 80kg/ha,
• Row to row distance given 20cm,
• Plant to plant distance should be 2 – 3cm, and 
• Measured values (i.e. bulk density of  paddy/Rice 

689kg/m3, angle of  repose 360) were considered.

Design concept
A set of  customer needs and target specifications serve as 
the basis for the concept generation process, which yields 
a series of  product concepts from which we can create 
the final specification (Ulrich, 2020). In order to address 
issues with the current manual, traditional method, low 
cost automation was introduced. There are several unsure 
planting devices in this mechanism, like rice row seeding. 
The concept of  the work is, 

• Observe the manual methods to identify the important 
process variables. 

• Quantify the important method. 
• Investigate all areas of  automated forming. 
• Refine design of  the machine, as this plays a major 

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role in rural area. 
With the aforementioned factors in mind, a semi-
automated machine that replaces manual labor can be 
designed.

List
The system is more probably chosen what it’s seeking by 
fulfilling the following general requirement. 

• Small in size to transport from place to place 
• Less Number of  components 
• More accurate system as possible 
• Safe and Easy to operation 
• Manual power source 
• Less initial cost 
• Easy to assemble and Maintainability 

Concept Generation
Functional structure
Based on the problem related with rice seeding and 
assessing the literature of  existing planting techniques we 
should have to design the new system. So let’s construct 
the functional structure as follow:

Figure 1: Overall functional structure Sub-function

Figure 2: Sub functional structure

Concept Selection
The process of  selecting a concept involves assessing 
it in light of  the needs of  the client and other factors, 
comparing its relative merits, and choosing one over 
another for further research, testing, or development. The 
following potential other options will be considered while 
evaluating the variant. Due to the focus of  this project 
being on rather damp soil conditions, we have neglected 
using another power source for machinery. The system 
may then go to the darkened region as follows after 
creating the decision tree. The decision is made using a 

Table 1: Selective system option
Seeding mechanism or 
method

Broadcasting(traditional) Dropping in rows manually Four rows seeder

Power source Man Man Man
Seeding material Rice seed only Rice seed only Rice seed only
Operating type Carrying and walking Carrying and walking Pulling and rotating 
Seed dropping method Throwing by hand and gravity Dropping  and gravity Gravity 
Seed metering system Difficult to meter the seed Random counting Metering shaft
Seed holding device Bucket Cylindrical container or Bucket Hopper
Weight Heavy Medium Low 
No of  wheel 0 0 2

straightforward system and a source of  availability.

Decision Tree
Standing from the above possible alternative option 
system, we do have construct the following decision tree

Selection of  working Principal Variants
From the aforementioned decision tree, which contains 
those 10 potential seeding system combinations, we must 
choose the best system. Then, only using the following 
criteria, they have narrowed the options down to a few.

Figure 3: Decision tree.

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o System complexity 
o Easy during operation, 
o Probability of  seed drawn 

o Required number of  power 
o Simplest mechanism 
o Probability of  manufacturing in Ethiopia

Figure 4: Structure of  objective Tree

Figure 5: Assigning of  weighting factor for each criterion

Determination of  weighting factors of  the ending 
Branches in tabular form 
Table 2: Sub weighting and overall weighting factor the end branches
No End branches Dropping in rows manually Four rows seeder
1 R111 0.25x0.4 0.10
2 R1121 0.4x0.3x0.4 0.048
3 R1122 0.6x0.3x0.4 0.072
4 R113 0.45x0.3x0.4 0.054
5 R121 0.45x0.3 0.135
6 R122 0.55x0.3 0.165
7 R131 0.6x0.3 0.18
8 R132 0.4x0.3 0.12

Assessment of  Values and Determination of  Overall 
Values
The values are expressed in points of  use value analysis 

approaches by giving 1 for more important criterion and 
0 for less important criterion in a given pair of  criteria to 
be evaluated.

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Table 4: Satisfaction for achieving the criteria in Percentage
Satisfaction (%) Description
100 Excellent, Complete satisfaction, objective satisfied in every aspect
85 Very Good, Extensive satisfaction, objective satisfied in all of  important aspect
70 Good, Considerable satisfaction, objective satisfied in the majority of  aspects
50 Fair, Moderate satisfaction, a middle point bin complete and no satisfaction
25 Bad, Minor satisfaction, objective satisfied in some but less than half  of  the aspect
10 Failure, Minimal satisfaction ,objective satisfied to very small extent
0 No satisfaction, objective is not satisfied in any aspect

Table 3: Weighted and Un-weighted Overall Values Determination
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Un weighted 

overall 
Weighted 
overall

1 - 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 4 0.143
2 0 - 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0.071
3 0 1 - 0 0 1 0 0 2 0.071
4 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 7 0.25
5 0 1 1 0 - 0 1 1 4 0.143
6 1 0 0 0 1 - 1 0 3 0.107
7 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 0 1 0.036
8 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 - 5 0.179

Un-weighted Overall Value was calculated by: Weighted Overall Value was calculated by

Comparing Concept Variants

Concept variants result of  power source in decision 
matrix
Three power sources are considered to sow rice with 
different range of  rate within the specified time according 

to their capacity. These concept variants are; A=Single 
Man, B= Single man and single animal and C=Single man 
with pair of  animal.
Here as shown in the table, the maximum rating is 78.03 

Table 5: Decision making matrix for the power source for the rice seeding purpose
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall 

satisfaction
Owvi 0.143 0.071 0.071 0.25 0.143 0.107 0.036 0.179
A % 85 90 75 80 75 70 70 75

%* Owvi 12.155 6.39 5.325 20 10.725 7.49 2.52 13.425 78.03
B % 75 60 70 55 60 65 70 65

%* Owvi 10.725 4.26 4.97 13.75 8.58 6.955 2.52 11.635 63.395
C % 80 80 60 75 80 80 50 80

%*Owvi 11.44 5.68 4.26 18.75 11.44 8.56 1.8 14.32 76.25

and hence concept variant A is selected as the best 
concept or alternative. So, Single Man can be used for the 
operation of  the seeding machine

Concept variants result of  Seeding techniques in 
decision matrix
Three planting technique are considered to sow rice with 

different range of  rate within the specified time according 
to their capacity. These concept variants are Traditional 
(Broadcasting), Manual row seeding, and Four rows rice 
seeder. A= Traditional planting (broadcasting), B= Four 
rows rice seeder and C= Manual seeding techniques 
(dropping seeds manually in rows)
From the decision making matrix the maximum value of  

Table 6: Decision making matrix for rice seeding technique
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall 

satisfaction
Owvi 0.143 0.071 0.071 0.25 0.143 0.107 0.036 0.179
A % 25 70 25 10 80 70 70 20

%* Owvi 3.575 4.97 1.775 2.5 11.44 7.49 2.52 3.58 32.5
B % 85 80 90 95 65 80 75 90

%* Owvi 12.15 5.68 6.39 23.75 9.3 8.56 2.7 16.11 84.68
C % 80 85 60 75 85 85 50 80

%*Owvi 11.44 6.035 4.26 18.75 12.15 9.10 1.8 14.32 77.8

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concept variant is 84.68 at B; therefore manually operated 
four rows rice seeder is the final selection

Concept variants result of  Hopper type in decision 
matrix
The hopper is a device in which the seeds to be planted 
are kept before their gradual release into the furrowed 

tunnel. The amount of  seed depends upon the size of  
the seed hopper. Four concept variants are considered to 
design the four rows rice seeder. These concept variant 
are Cylindrical, Conical, Trapezoidal, and Rectangular 
hopper types. Let denoting A= Cylindrical, B= Conical, 
C= Trapezoidal and D= Rectangular
Here as shown in the table, the maximum rating is 85.53 

Table 7: Decision making matrix for Hopper shape type
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall 

satisfaction
Owvi 0.143 0.071 0.071 0.25 0.143 0.107 0.036 0.179
A % 25 70 25 10 80 70 70 20

%* Owvi 3.575 4.97 1.775 2.5 11.44 7.49 2.52 3.58 32.5
B % 10 80 50 20 80 40 20 60

%* Owvi 1.43 5.68 3.55 5 11.44 4.28 0.72 10.74 42.84 
C % 80 95 80 90 85 85 100 80 

%*Owvi 11.44 6.745 5.68 22.5 12.155 9.095 3.6 14.32 85.535 
D % 60 80 75 80 75 60 75 70 

%*Owvi 8.58 5.68 5.325 20 10.725 6.42 2.7 12.53 71.96 

and hence concept variant C is selected as the best 
concept or alternative. Therefore Trapezoidal shape is the 
most appropriate hopper needed to hold rice seed.

Concept variants result of  Furrow opener type in 
decision matrix
Furrow openers are parts of  a planter that are used to 

open furrow so that seed is placed at a specific depth 
below the surface. The design of  furrow openers of  
seed planters varies to suit the soil conditions. Here the 
variants to be used are, A=Stub runner, B= Hoe type, C= 
single disk type and D= Double disk.
From this decision matrix, the best concept variant is 
concept A which is 78.55.So Stub runner type is chosen 

Table 8: Decision making matrix for Furrow opener type
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall 

satisfaction
Owvi 0.143 0.071 0.071 0.25 0.143 0.107 0.036 0.179
A % 95 90 75 65 85 75 70 80 

%* Owvi 13.58 6.39 5.32 16.25 12.15 8 2.52 14.32 78.55
B % 70 60 60 70 60 65 70 90 

%* Owvi 10.01 4.26 4.26 17.5 8.58 6.95 2.52 16.11 70.19
C % 50 70 80 85 70 65 55 40 

%*Owvi 7.15 4.97 5.68 21.25 10.01 6.95 1.98 7.16 65.15 
D % 0 80 60 75 85 80 50 70

%*Owvi 7.15 5.68 4.26 18.75 12.15 8.56 1.8 12.53 71.23

to open the furrow for seeding machine

Concept variants result of  Ground Wheel type in 
decision matrix
The ground wheel is the power transmission device to 
provide motion to the ground wheel shaft and rotating 
metering shaft. For our design let us consider the matrix 
of  three variants, A= Wood wheel, B= Iron wheel, and 
C= Pneumatic wheel.

As we can see from the above decision matrix concept 
B which is 83.745 is the best variant concept. So, ground 
wheel of  Iron cover type will be chosen for the design.

Description and Design requirements of  the manually 
operated four rows rice seeder 
Description of  row seeding machine
As the name suggests, a manually driven four-row seeder 
was created. It has four rows, each of  which has its 

Table 9: Decision making matrix for Ground Wheel type
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall 

satisfaction
Owvi 0.143 0.071 0.071 0.25 0.143 0.107 0.036 0.179
A % 35 75 35 15 75 70 70 20

%* Owvi 5.005 5.325 2.485 3.75 10.725 7.49 2.52 3.58 40.88
B % 85 80 90 95 65 80 75 85

%* Owvi 12.15 5.68 6.39 23.75 9.3 8.56 2.7 15.215 83.745
C % 80 80 60 75 80 80 50 80

%*Owvi 11.44 5.68 4.26 18.75 11.44 8.56 1.8 14.32 76.25

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own hopper, and it uses a rotating shaft as a metering 
mechanism. Because there are holes all the way around 
the shaft, when the shaft’s holes are in the lowest position, 
the seeds fall out due to gravity. The ground wheel and 
four hoppers were fixed on the shaft; but, they have not 
rotated while the ground wheels are rotating. Paddy stored 
in the hopper and the seed flow to the metering shaft 
is controlled by the cut-off  mechanism. One operator 
could pull the implement using a long beam handle that 
was provided. 
The paddy seed was covered during planting by the 
chain attached made of  angle iron at the bottom of  the 
machine’s back end. The operator could regulate the 
unneeded seed flow and seed waste during the turning trip 
by standing up, spinning one of  the ground wheels, and 
setting the other ground wheel to the idle position. This 
machine was ideal for row planting of  a variety of  crops, 
including wheat, barley, soybeans, sorghum, etc. since it 
had holes on the spinning shafts that were provided based 
on the conventional seed-seed and row-row spacing. For 
this particular design, it was simply taken into account as 
paddy or rice seed. Typically, a seeder consists of  drive 
wheels, a frame, seed hoppers, metering systems, furrow 
openers, and furrow covering tools.

Figure 6: Isometric view of  Manually Operated Four 
Rows Rice Seeder and its Components

Design requirements of  the Seeding Machine
In order to start the design, depending on many 
literatures the following assumed values were taken in to 
consideration.

> Speed of  operation 1 – 3km/hr,
> Machine weight 12kg, wheel diameter 28cm),

Ff=(CR+i)……………………………………..6
Where C_R = Rolling resistance
      m_wt = machine weight = 12kg = 58.86N 
         i= maximum gradient of  the ground, let 1%
 The rolling resistance can be found by using the following 
formula:

At first, wheel revolution and machine weight on wheel 
would be calculated as follows:

> Peripheral distance =𝜋D = 𝜋*28cm=0.88m,
> As wheel covers 1.89m/rev, at 1m/s it covers (1m/s)

Since the machine has two ground wheel, Machine 
weight, Mwt on wheel equals the machine weight divided 
by two, mwt = 58.86N
Power developed by the operator
According to Campell et al. (1990) the power of  useful 
work done by human being is given by: 
HP=0.35-0.092logt……………………………3
Where, HP = horse power developed during time t 
              t = time in minutes 
Now, for 6 – 8 hours continues work the power developed 
by the operator would be
HP=0.35-0.092log(360 minor 480)=0.115-0.103 hp 
Let’s take the average of  the ranges; it becomes = 0.109hp. 
Therefore, based on the calculation above, the power of  
productive labor created by a typical human worker is 
equal to 0.109 horsepower.
We can use the following formula to convert this power 
into force:

Let the operating speed of  the machine be 1m/s, 
therefore by rearranging equation 2 we can get

Hence, force developed by an average human worker = 
8.175kgf
The Torque produced by the driving wheel
Torque produced by the driving wheel, Tw is one of  the 
required data to calculate the torque produced by the 
driving wheel for both shaft analysis and wheel analysis. 
Consequently, it was determined utilizing the following 
formula:
T_W=FF*DW/2…………………………………….9
Where, TW = torque produced by the driving wheel
            FF= Force required maneuvering the machine, kgf  
DW = diameter of  the wheel, 0.28m
Therefore, substituting the values in equation 9 we can 
get; Tw = 21.23N X 0.14m = 2.972N.m

Power required driving the planter
Equation 2.9 determined the machine’s one-person 
operability; this property may also be represented in 
terms of  power, thus the following equation was used to 
compute it:
Pm=TW NW……………………………10
Where, NW = wheel revolution in rad/sec, 
Pm = 2.972N.m x (1.136 x 2𝞹) = 21.21 watt. 
Since 1kw equals 741hp, it became
0.02121/0.741=0.0286hp 
Therefore, Po of  operator much greater than Pm demand 
of  the machine, so again this shows us it is safe to operate 
by one person(i.e. 0.109hp of  the operator produced 
greater than 0.0286hp of  the power required by the 

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machine, so we can conclude that it is easy to operate).

Design Analysis and Material Selection of  Major 
Components of  the manually operated four rows Rice 
Seeder

Mainframe 
The planter’s frame, which serves as the platform for 
other components to be affixed, is its skeletal framework. 
The main frame’s material was chosen to achieve the 
desired strength and reasonable weight. The frame’s 
design was also influenced by the components that would 
be put on it.
To provide the necessary strength and rigidity while 
taking into account the orientation and attachment of  
various components, such as hoppers and handle beams, 
a mild steel sheet metal with a thickness of  2mm, width 
of  80mm, and length of  710mm was chosen. The pulling 
beam channel and seed collecting hoppers were directly 
mounted in the middle of  the frame using the proper 
nuts and bolts that had holes for assembly adjustments. 
Provisions were created during the frame’s design process 
to fix the adjustable hopper and pulling beam placement 
at a 20 cm distance, or the distance between two rows. As 
illustrated in Figure 7(a) and (b) below, the pulling handle 
was attached to the frame’s center section at the necessary 
spacing and in accordance with the ergonomic criteria.

Figure 7: Seeder frame and seeder parts attached to the 
frame

Design of  Seed Hopper
The hopper is a tool used to store planting seeds prior 
to their slow release into the tunnel’s ridges. The size of  
the seed hopper determines how much seed it can hold. 
The trapezoidal hopper’s four distinct compartments for 
holding and releasing seed are installed on the spinning 
shaft and supported by the frame to lower maintenance 
expenses. They share the same material and are the same 
size. Mild steel sheet metal with a thickness of  1.5 mm was 
utilized for construction since it is widely accessible and 
reasonably priced. To make opening easier, the hopper 
also incorporates a cut-off  controller. Figure 8 depicts 
the design and measurements of  each hopper chamber.
When designing a hopper, the necessary volumetric 
efficiency, bulk density (689 kg/m3), and angle of  repose 
are taken into account. The hopper was designed to 
ensure proper flow of  seeds by the action of  gravity only.  

The slope of  the hopper wall is maintained as per the 
requirement of  metering mechanism, which should be 
more than the angle of  repose of  rice seed (360). 
In the design of  hopper capacity, seeding rate of  40 kg/
ha for rice was considered; and the bulk density of  rice at 
a seed storage moisture content of  15%, was considered 
as 689kg/m3 (Waziri and Mittal, 1983). Equation given 
by Olaoye and Bolufawi, (2001) was used to estimate the 
volume of  the hopper as follows;
V=SR/(n×γs )……………………………………………11
Where: - 
V= is the volume of  the hopper
SR = seeding rate (kg/ha)
n = number of  refilling per hectare (let, 40 times)
γs = bulk density of  the seeds (kg/ m3)
V=SR/(n×γs )=(50kg/ha)/(40/ha×689kg/m3 
)=1.45×10-3m3  
The maximum volume of  the designed trapezoidal 
hopper is:
V=h/2 (A1+A2+√A1×A2 )………………12
Where; V = volume, m3
              h = height, m
            A1 = Area of  trapezoid, top of  hopper, m2

            A2 = Area of  trapezoid, bottom of  hopper, m2

So, the volume the designed hopper will was;
V=150/2(16,000mm2+800mm2+√(16,000mm2×800mm2 ))
V=1528328.157mm3=1.5×10-3 m3 

Since the designed volume of  seed hopper is 1.5×10-3 

m3  is higher than the theoretical volume (1.45×10-3) m3) 
found by equation 12. Therefore, the designed dimensions 
of  the hoppers are correct.

Weight of  the Hopper
Since the seed attached to the metering hoppers have 
equal dimensions and made from the same material, the 
area of  the single hopper used for the rest three hoppers 
was estimated from the following equations (Math.com, 
2012);

Ahm=A1+A2…………………………………13
=(100×160)+(20×40)=16800mm2 

Where;    
A1 = Area of  trapezoid, top of  hopper, m2

A2 = Area of  trapezoid, bottom of  hopper, m2

The volume of  hopper can be computed using the 
following equations (ITSI-SU, 2011);

Vhm=Ahm×thm………………………………14
=16800mm2×1.5mm=25200mm3=2.52×10-5m3 

The mass of  hopper can be computed using the following 
equations (ITSI-SU, 2011);

Mhm=Vhm×ρhm…………………………………15
=2.52×10-5m3×7850kg/m3=0.1978Kg 

For the four hoppers we have:
Mhm=  no.of  hoppers×Vhm×ρhm=4×0.1978Kg=0.792Kg 

The weight of  hopper can be computed using the 
following equations (Gat, Uri, 1988);

Whm=Mhm×g………………………………16
=0.792Kg×9.81m/s2=7.76N 

Where: -

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Ahm = Surface area of  the hopper material
Vhm = Volume of  the hopper material
thm= Thickness of  the hopper material
Mhm= Mass of  the hopper material
ρhm = Density of  the hopper material
Whm= Weight of  the hopper material

Figure 8: Seed hopper

Design of  the seed metering mechanism
The seed sowing machine’s metering system, which 
distributes seeds consistently at the desired application 
rates, is its brain. The drum served as measuring 
mechanisms in this instance (figure 9). However, the 
hopper’s purpose as a feeder was employed, and the shaft 
then metered the seeds.
As previously indicated, the shaft of  this machine served 
as a measuring mechanism and was used to plant paddy 
rice seed or rice grain in rows. Therefore, it was decided 
to compute the number of  holes on shafts in each hopper 
using the following formula:

n=πD/(I×X)…………………………………17
Where, 

n = number of  holes on the drum 
D = diameter of  the shaft, it takes 4.1cm 
X = required seed to seed spacing, it takes 2cm 
I= ratio of  wheel to metering shaft rotation, 1:1

Therefore, substituting the values in eq. 34 we found that;
 n=(π*4.1cm)/2cm=6.44=takes 7 holes
The length(l), width(w), and thickness(t) of  50 seeds were 
taken, and the size of  the hole was calculated based on 
the average geometrical mean of  the rice grain. According 
to Yonas L., (2017) their geometrical mean average was 
calculated using the following equation and came out at 
2.95mm. We used 6mm for the design.

 Dg=∛(L*W*T)…………………………….…18
Where: - 

L = mean length (mm)
W = mean width (mm)
T = mean thickness (mm) 

Dg = mean geometric diameter (mm)

Figure 9: Seed metering shaft

Design of  Furrow Opener
The components of  a planter known as furrow openers 
are used to open a furrow so that seeds can be planted at 
a particular depth below the surface. Furrow openers for 
seed planters come in a variety of  designs to accommodate 
different soil types. Furrow openers of  the adjustable 
curved stub runner type were created to prevent seed 
rebounding, roll over impediments, and increase seed 
placement accuracy at various planting depths. Furrow 
openers of  the stub runner type are appropriate for usage 
when it is necessary to penetrate agricultural residues or 
hard terrain. They can be kept quite clean, which makes 
them more effective than permanent openers in wet, 
sticky soils. Because the depth can be regulated by using 
the slot supplied on the furrow opener for the purpose 
of  altering the depth of  the seeder, curved runner furrow 
openers are particularly well fitted to medium or shallow 
seeding of  row crops that are crucial in regard to planting 
depth. The furrow openers were made of  mild steel sheet 
metal that was 2 mm thick, bent, and had dimensions of  
164.5 mm in height by 152 mm in width. They were then 
connected with a shaft and a furrow opener connecter 
using slotted nuts and bolts.

Figure 10: Curved runner type furrow opener

Adjustable Seed Covering
Planters should be made to compact the earth, push 
the seeds into the compacted dirt, then cover the seeds 
with loose soil in order to achieve the best outcomes for 
germination and emergence. The capillary continuity 
between the lower moist soil layers and the upper layers in 
which the seed is placed, as well as between the seed and 
soil immediately surrounding it, is improved by increasing 
the seed/soil contact below and around the seed. The soil 
just above the seed row should be left loose to reduce 
crusting and encourage simple emergence. In order to 
prevent birds from dropping soil, it is also crucial that 
the grain is covered in seed. The specially created furrow 

Figure 11: Seed covering mechanism

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covering tools enable optimum soil coverage over the 
seeds in the furrows. The material used for the design 
was mild steel flat iron of  980*140*3mm positioned and 
fitted immediately at the back of  the seeder hopper two 
ends

Pulling Beam and Handle
Pulling beam is principal parts used to join the main 
seeder parts and the handle used for pulling forward 
the seeder during planting. For the design Single circular 
beam having 36mm and 1240mm diameter and Length 
respectively made up of  wood for the purpose of  
decreasing the weight of  the machine was selected. The 
beam was hinged to the hitch. The pulling beam was 
attached to the frame by using of  the frame and beam 
connecter used as a hitch at one end and attached to the 
handle holder on the other end as shown on Figure12 
below. 
In order to transfer the planter from one location to 
another during planting operations, a handle is used to 
supply the pulling force from a human operator. The 
planned handle was made of  a circle of  wood that 
measured 865 mm in length and 36 mm in outer diameter. 
Through the use of  connecting bushing and nuts and 
bolts, the handle was fastened to the pulling beam. The 
handle on the seeder was primarily designed to regulate 
planter pull when sowing and turning in the field. The 
length of  the handle and pulling beam were designed 
with ergonomics and surface smoothness in mind.

Figure 12: Pulling beam and Handle

Shaft design and analysis
A shaft is a rotating machine element which is used to 
transmit power from one place to another. The power 
is delivered to the shaft by some tangential force and 
the resultant torque (or twisting moment) set up within 
the shaft permits the power to be transferred to various 
machines linked up to the shaft. In other words, we may 
say that a shaft is used for the transmission of  torque and 

bending moment. The various members are mounted on 
the shaft by means of  keys or splines. For this project 
hollow shaft having the internal diameter of  8.5mm and 
outer diameter of  41mm was designed. These types of  
shafts are stronger per mass of  material, for particular 
power transmission, it requires minimum weight, and 
they may be forged on mandrel, thus making the material 
more homogenous than would be possible for the solid 
Shaft.
The stresses, torques, and bending moments generated 
in the shaft during operation must be seen in relation 
to the shaft that the seed hopper assembly is mounted 
on. When power is transferred from the ground wheel 
to the seed hopper, the shaft is intrinsically subjected to 
a torsional moment, or torque, at a specific rotational 
speed. As a result, the shaft develops torsional shear 
stress. Additionally, a shaft typically carries the load from 
a hopper or seed box, which applies pressure to the shaft 
in a transverse orientation (perpendicular to
its axis). The shaft develops bending moments as a result 
of  these transverse forces, necessitating a consideration 
of  the stress from bending. Because shear stresses and 
regular stresses from bending occur at the same time in 
these shafts, integrated stress analysis is actually necessary. 
Where, (R1and R2) or (Fm)= the Ground reaction due to 
the sum of  machine weight, and weight of  seeds carried 
by the ground wheel.
Fm = 12kg + 10kg = 22kg or 215.82N 
Ff= force driving the wheel, equals13.75N, we found it 

Figure 13: Load distributions on the driving shaft 

by eq.8  
Rwh = wheel reaction at one end in the horizontal 

direction.  
Rwv= wheel reaction at other end in the vertical 

direction. 
Rh(a,b,c)= weight of  seed hoppers including the seed at 

full load at point 
Here, we established the ideal shaft diameter and used the 
following procedures to determine the forces acting on 
the shaft and how much of  each force they depend on:

Finding the load exerted on the shaft
The seed hoppers are what put pressure on the shaft. The 
following formula can be used to determine the weight 
coming from the seed hoppers; (since the seed box stands 
on the shaft with four foot, the load should be divided in 
to four). As stated above, it was made to hold 6 kilogram 
of  rice seed.

Wha=Whb=Whc= Whd=0.25[seed weight at full load + 
hopper weight]…………………………………..19

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Am. J. Food. Sci. Technol. 1(1) 10-24, 2022

= 1/4(6kg + 5kg) x 9.81 = 26.98N
Forces exerted on the shaft in the vertical direction (YZ)
Finding the forces acting vertically on the shaft was 
the second stage, as demonstrated above. Considering 
the sum of  the forces, that is ∑F = 0, we can get the 
following:

–Rwv–Wha–Whb–Whc-Whd=0 ……......………20
From the equation 20 the only unknown is Rwv, it can be 
rearranged in to eq.2.21 below 

–Rwv= Wha + Whb + Whc + Whd - Fm……… 21 
= 44.15 + 53.96 + 53.96 + 44.15 - 215.82 = 19.6N 
Rwv= -19.6N, (this result shows that the assumed 

direction is correct), so reducing this value, i.e. 𝑭 = F_m  
+ Rwv = 196.22N (net upward force).
Forces exerted on the shaft in the horizontal direction 
(XZ plane)
Considering Summation of  forces, ∑F = 0, we found 
equation 2.22 below;

Ff – Rwh = 0 ………………………....…....…22
From equation 3.8 we found that Ff = Rwh = 13.75N, 
(Ff  was found by eq.2.8 above) 
Thus, all forces acting in the horizontal direction become 
zero, and we draw the conclusion that neither a shear 
stress nor a bending moment exist.

Determining the maximum bending moment
Finding the product of  the above-found vertical and 
horizontal seconds was the next stage. Consequently, we 
can apply the following formula to this:

Mmax=√(MH
2+M2)……….....................................23

Ma=√(02+4.422 ) =4.42N.m
Mb=√(02+9.812 ) =9.81N.m
Mc=√(02+26.252 ) =26.25N.m
Md=√(02+12.022 ) =12.02N.m
Mw=√(02+6.622 ) =6.62N.m

Therefore, from the results of  equation 23 at each point 
a, b, c, d, and w we found that the maximum bending 
moment occur at point c.

The torque on the shaft
The power transmitted from the driving wheel to the 
shaft with 1:1 ratio, i.e. directly, hence torque produced 
at the wheel and the shaft are equal, 1.925N.m or we can 
also calculate using the following formula:

P=T1 N1=T2 NN………………………….24
Where,

p = power transmitted
T1 = torque produced at the wheel, equals 1.925N.m 

(which was found by eq. 24 above) 
T2 = torque produced at the shaft, which is equal, 

1.925N.m 
N1 = angular rotation of  the driving wheel, =1.136 

rev/s or 68.2 rev/min (taken from the initial mentioned 
parameters above)

 N2 = angular rotation of  the shaft, 1.136 rev/s or 68.2 
rev/min (because of  1:1)

Design of  Ground wheel
The ground wheel is the power transmission device to 
provide motion to the ground wheel shaft and rotating 
metering shaft. The seed hoppers were made fixed on the 
shaft by using bushing and keys. Lug type wheel was used 
for designing of  the ground wheel because of  
its suitability to use under wet or sticky soils; whereas 
pneumatic wheels fail to work.
Ground wheel of  280 mm diameter was selected for the 
designing of  the wheel. The wheel is made of  M.S. Rod 
(1.5 mm diameter) and width is kept 60 mm. The spokes 
were made up of  mild steel flat Iron of  1.5 mm thickness 
6 spokes were provided on each wheel extended 130 mm 
towards Centre and maximum width at the both ends was 
kept 45mm and welded with the bush having diameter 
of  42 mm and the length of  bush is 100 mm. Disk 
plates having 47mm and 4mm diameter and thickness 
respectively and also Lugs are provided on the ground 
wheel for better traction of  machine on the field the lugs 
are made of  G.I. Sheet of  6 gauge thick.

Figure 14: Ground wheel

Determination of  Seeder performance and capacity
Field capacity and efficiency were determined in 
accordance to the recommendation made by Kepner 
(1978) and using relevant parameters that included 
effective operation time, turning time and time losses 
due to obstructions on the field. From the data gathered 
working speed (km/h), effective field capacity (ha/h) and 
field efficiency (%) were estimated using the expressions 
below (Kepner1978);

V=D/ta …………….................................……25
Where: - 

V = Working speed,
D = distance of  run (m)
ta= average time of  each pass (second)
e=100*Te/Tt …………................................….26

Where: - 
e = field efficiency (%).           
Te = effective operating time (sec.)              
Tt = total time (effective operating time +time lost for 

turning)
Ce=(We*Smf*e)/10……………....................…27

Where: - 
Ce= effective field capacity (ha/hr)
We= implement effective width/inter row spacing (m)
Smf = mean forward speed (km/h)
e = field efficiency (decimal value)

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Figure 15: Pulling beam

Figure 16: Seeder supporting frame

Figure 17: Handle   holding Bushing                                                         

Figure 18: Handle                                                       

Figure 19: Hitch                                                      

Figure 20: Hopper and cut-off  support

Figure 21: Rear wheel shaft

Figure 22: Shaft and furrow opener holder                                                       

Figure 23: Seed cut-off  controller                                                      

Figure 24: Seed covering mechanism                                                      

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Figure 25: Spokes and Hub                                                    

Figure 26: Overall Assembly of  Manually Operated Four 
Rows Rice seeder                                               

Manufacturing Process
This chapter covered a detailed explanation of  how each 
machine component of  the seeding machine was made. 
This stage of  the manufacturing process aids in producing 
the machine locally using materials that are
readily available. The appropriate machinery and tools are 
utilized as needed.

Manufacturing process of  Component
Table 10: Selected manufacturing process of  the main 
seeder components
S.No Seeder 

Components
Required 
material

Required tools 
and activity/
process

1 Handle Eucalyptus 
tree

measuring, 
Cutting, milling, 
smoothening,  and 
drilling 

2 Pulling beam Eucalyptus 
tree

cutting, milling, 
measuring, 
smoothening, and 
drilling 

3 Hitch Mild steel 
sheet metal

cutting, measuring 
tool, drilling, and 
bending 

4 Frame Mild steel 
sheet metal

cutting, milling, 
measuring , 
drilling, and 
bending 

5 Metering 
Shaft

Mild Steel turning, facing, 
boring, cutting, 
and milling 

6 Hopper Mild steel 
sheet metal

cutting, measuring 
tool, drilling, 
welding, grinding, 
and bending

7 Furrow 
opener

Mild Steel 
Flat Iron

cutting, measuring 
tool, boring/
slotting, and 
bending tools

8 Ground wheel Mild steel 
Rod

cutting, measuring 
tool, drilling, 
welding, grinding, 
and rolling 

9 Seed cover Mild Steel 
angle Iron

Cutting, and 
drilling 

Main Technical Specifications for Manually operated 
four rows rice seeder
Table 11: Specifications of  main parts of  four rows 
rice seeder
No Products Specification 
1 Number of  Hoppers 04
2 Number of  furrow openers 04
3 Number of  shafts 01
4 Width of    Ground wheel 02
5 Height of  the seeder 95.0 cm 
6 Approx. Weight 12 kg

Materials used for seeder construction
Table 11: List of  materials used for construction of  
the seeder machine
No Components Material
1 Main Shaft Mild Steel
2 Seed hopper Mild steel sheet metal
3 Bushing Bronze
4 Seed covering Mild Steel angle Iron
5 Furrow opener Mild Steel Flat Iron
6 Beam and Handle Eucalyptus tree

Cost Estimation and Cost of  Operation
By figuring out the cost of  various components, the 
unit cost of  a manually operated four-row rice seeder 
was established. Cost analysis is a crucial component 
of  technology design and production that helps ensure 
the dependability and affordability of  the technology. 
Individual components or functional groups can be 
used to determine the cost of  a subsystem for a given 
system (carrying out a single function). The overall 
system expenses are calculated by adding these expenses 
collectively. The cost estimation method begins with a 
set of  technical drawings for the assembly’s component 
parts and figures out the price of  each activity related 
to component manufacture, assembly, and finishing. 
Eliminating pointless processes has a significant impact 
on reducing manufacturing process costs. This can be 
accomplished through careful planning, operating in 
succession, and grouping individual activities or groups of  
operations. the following benefits of  grouping operations;

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Am. J. Food. Sci. Technol. 1(1) 10-24, 2022

o Reduced fixed cost
o Reduced labour cost
o Less handling
o Reduced setup time
o Smaller in process inventory

Depending on the types of  manufacturing process, 
total cost of  the designed machine was determined by 
considering the following. The main elements of  cost 
analysis includes

o Direct material total cost
o Standard items cost
o Direct Labour cost
o Operation cost

Direct material total cost
To determine the total cost of  direct materials used in 
the manufacture of  the manually operated four rows 
rice seeder a material balance and flow sheet should be 
developed. Once the materials balances established, raw 
material prices must be assessed and identified. Therefore 
the materials and their current cost needed
to manufacture the seeder were studied from the current 
markets.

Cost summary of  the Manually Operated Four rows 
Rice seeder

Table 13: Total Cost summary of  the construction of  
the seeder

R
aw

 m
at

er
ia

l c
os

t 
(B

ir
r )

M
at

er
ia

l w
as

ta
ge

 
2.

5 
%

 o
f 

1 
( B

ir
r )

M
ac

hi
ne

 c
os

t 
(B

ir
r)

La
bo

r c
os

t(
B

ir
r)

O
ve

r-
he

ad
 c

os
t 5

 
%

 o
f 

3 
&

 4

Pr
od

uc
tio

n 
co

st
 

(1
+

2+
3+

4)
 B

ir
r

3400.6 85.015 11.754 20.249 1.600 3,519.218

RECOMMENDATIONS
> There is need to create awareness among the farming 

communities on adoption of  newly designed technologies 
to increase and improve their agricultural production.

> There is need for development of  low cost Animal 
Operated or tractor mounted high efficiency Rice seeder 
for farmers for more mechanization of  their agriculture.

> The row planter prototype is needed to be fabricated, 
tested and demonstrated in the farmer’s field.

> Promotion and dissemination of  the technologies 
has to be done to end users.

> Adjustable seed metering mechanism should be used 
to use the planter for different Rice varieties and crops.

CONCLUSION
In Ethiopia, rice is one of  the targeted agricultural 
products that has received adequate attention in the 
promotion of  agricultural output. It is regarded as the 
“Millennium Crop” and is anticipated to help ensure 
food security in the nation. As a result, over the past few 
years, its production has increased. Despite the growth, 

there are still a lot of  production system issues that need 
to be resolved, with planting technique leading the list. 
The farmers continued to use time- and labor-intensive 
traditional seed-broadcasting techniques, which led to a 
sharp reduction in output due to an unfavorable plant 
population. Therefore, attempts were undertaken to 
design a suitable planting machine for rice in order to 
address the issues with the conventional method of  
spreading the seed on the farm and maintain the ideal 
plant density. the binary dominance matrix determines 
It was determined that the novel constructed seeder 
outperformed the manual approach in all aspects. 
Traditional seeding techniques (Broadcasting), Manual 
row planting technique, and the newly created Manually 
Operated Four Rows Rice were all assessed. The 
machinability aspect, which comprises installation, 
simplicity, durability, choice of  material, machine, low 
pricing, and prolonged life span when operated with high 
utilization with minimal downtime, was properly taken 
into account in order to achieve this design target and 
goals. The designed machine “Manually Operated Four 
rows Rice seeder machine” can help to substantially 
reduce the human labor involved in planting and also 
reduces the time used for seeding operation on small 
farms. The designed seeder was easy to operate and 
repair, applicable for different sizes of  grains according 
to their physical properties, do not break the Rice grains 
during seeding process. Design permits fabrication from 
locally available materials.

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