International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Chiragkumar Jadav, Sanjay Paragi and Kapil Mandloi

abstract
Weed infestation is a significant challenge in agriculture, leading to substantial yield losses and increased production costs. This study focuses on the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a Portable Twin Wheel Weeder as an efficient, sustainable alternative to traditional and chemical weed management methods. Fabricated using lightweight materials, the weeder features a dual-wheel configuration for enhanced stability and operator comfort. Field experiments were conducted to compare its performance with the Existing Twin Wheel Weeder and Improved Twin Wheel Weeder, evaluating parameters such as weeding efficiency, field efficiency, soil mass manipulation, plant injury, and ergonomic factors. The results demonstrated that the Portable Twin Wheel Weeder achieved the highest weeding efficiency (90.90%) and field efficiency (92.98%), outperforming the Improved (88.33% and 88.33%) and Existing Weeders (86.76% and 85.29%). It also recorded the highest soil mass manipulation (4480 cm³ per 200 cm run) and the lowest plant injury rate (5.45%), ensuring effective weed removal with minimal crop damage. The ergonomic evaluation indicated reduced operator fatigue, highlighting its user-friendly design. Additionally, the weeder's cost-effective and environmentally friendly design reduces dependency on chemical herbicides, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The Portable Twin Wheel Weeder proved to be a versatile and efficient tool for weed management, offering significant benefits in terms of productivity, cost savings, and environmental sustainability. Its adaptability to small-scale farming systems makes it a promising solution for resource-constrained farmers, contributing to improved agricultural outcomes and operator satisfaction.