Laser Land Leveling – A Technology for Resource Conservation

Harminder Singh Sidhu

H.Sidhu@cgiar.org

Need to Motivate the Planners & Policy makers

Current water shortage

Extremely Slow paceof water resource development

Needs/Issues

For

Enhance water productivity

at field level

Efficient utilization

of available water sources

Develop Strategies

Best option to redress the water scarcity

Recommended slopes for different soils

Type of soil Percolation rate in cm/h

Slope (%)

Sandy 7.5 0.3-0.5

Medium 3.75 0.2-0.4

Heavy 1.25 0.05-0.2

• Land looks leveled but even then wide topographic variation exists

• Wide variability in crop yields at field/ village/ block/ district/ regional level

• Better distribution of water • Water savings • Improvement in nutrient use efficiencies• Option for Precision Farming • Higher crop productivity

Why Laser Leveling

What is laser leveling?

• Laser land leveling is leveling the field within certain degree of desired slope using a guided laser beam through out the field.

Components in Laser leveling

• Laser Transmitter

• Laser eye receiver

• Laser receiver

• Control box

• Double acting hydraulic valve

• Drag scraper

Laser Type 670 nm visible, class 1/2

Self Leveling Electronics servo, + 5° range

Accuracy + 10 arc second+ 1.5mm per 30 m ( +1/16 in per100 ft)

Battery Life Alkaline or NiMH (50 Hrs.)

Operating Range

800 -1500 Mtr. Diameter

Operating Temperature

-20°C to 50°C  (-4°   to 122° F)

Weight 3.5 Kg.  (7.72 Lbs)

Laser Transmitter

Operating Temperature

20°C to 55°C

Weight 340 Gm

Battery Life 100 Hrs. Normal Operation

Detection  180°

Laser-Eye® Receiver

Temperature                    Operating & Storage

-40°C to +71°C (-40°F to +160°F)-55°C to +85°C (-67°F to +185°F)

Weight <2.8 kg (6.3 lb)

Electrical Input Voltage

9 to 30 V DC

Operating Current

500mA maximum @12 VDC

Laser Beam Acceptance Angle

360°

Humidity 100%, fully sealed, weatherproof

Laser Receiver

Operating Temperature -28°C to +71°C (-20° F to 160° F)

Weight 2.5 KG (5.6 Lbs.)

Electrical Input 12V or 24V DC (10 Amp maxim.)

Electrical Output 12V or 24V DC (4.5 Amp/Valve Output)

Control Box

Operating Temperature

-28°C to +50°C (-20° F to 122°F)

Weight 2.5 KG (5.6 Lbs.)

Electrical Input

12V or 24V DC (10 Amp maxim.)

Electrical Output

12V or 24V DC (4.5 Amp/Valve Output)

Double Acting Hydraulic Control Valve

Weight 550 Kg

Height 2.5 ft.

Width 6 ft.

Depth 2 ft.

Drag Scrapper

Specification

• Horsepower required 50 hp range

• Width of coverage 6 ft• Capacity depends on initial condition of field

• Cost of equipment (Rs) 3,50,000

2.32 2.31 2.35 2.40 2.45

2.35 2.32 2.19 2.39 2.48

2.35 2.35 2.32 2.42 2.42

10 to 15 foot steps

Surveying MapMean Value: 2.35

Name of the farmers

Laser Leveling Before Leveling After Leveling % Time Saving

Area (acers)

Time (h)

Canal (min)

Tube well, (h)

Canal (min)

Tube well, (h)

Canal (min)

Tube well, (h)

Hari Singh 4.25 12.0 40 5.0 27 4.0 32.5 20

Gurbachan Singh

5.5 8.5 35 4.5 21 3.25 40 27.8

Nahar Singh 3.0 3.0 - 5.0 - 3.75 - 25

Chanjit Singh

7.0 10.5 - 4.25 - 3.25 - 23.5

Iqbal Singh 9.0 12.5 38 4.0 20 3.0 47.4 25

Gurtej Singh

2.75 3.25 - 4.5 - 3.5 - 22.2

Harpal singh

8.5 20.0 - 5.0 - 4.0 - 20

Gurcharan Singh

8.0 15.0 - 5.0 - 3.75 - 25

Jagsir singh 10.0 13.5 34 5.5 20 4.0 41.2 27.27

Bikram Singh

2.5 7.5 - 4.0 - 3.0 - 25

Average 36.8 4.7 22 3.5 40.3 24.1

Use of Laser Land Leveler at Gurusar Kaonke command area (Distt. Ludhiana)

Farmer’s name Total area

(Acres)

Time taken for one irrigation/ acre rice (Hours) % Time

saved for one

irrigation

Farmer practice

After leveling with laser land leveler

Jagmohan Singh 14 5.5 3.5 36.4

Jai singh 5 5 3.5 30.0

Nachattar Singh 6 5.25 3.25 38.1

Binder Singh 3.5 5.5 3.5 36.4

Pal Singh 5 5.25 3.5 33.3

Gurdev Singh 2 5 3 40.0

Mean 5.3 3.4 36.9

Dept. of Agronomy, Agromet. and Forestry

Use of Laser Land Leveler at Nurpur Betcommand area (Distt. Ludhiana)

Farmer’s name Total area

(acres)

Time taken for one irrigation/ acre rice

(Hours)Time

saved for one

irrigation

(Hours)

Farmer practice

After leveling with laser

land leveler

Surinder Singh 15 6 4.5 25.0

Harminder ` 8 5.5 4 27.3

Ajmer Singh 7.5 5.5 4 27.3

Amrik Singh` 4.5 6 4 33.3

Mean 5.75 4.1 28.2Dept. of Agronomy, Agromet. and Forestry

DASKA, Pakistan

July, 2004

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Total Cost Rs/h (Without T)

Total Cost Rs/h (With T)

Custom Hiring Rate Rs/h

500 h/year1300 h/year

Break even Usage of Laser Land Leveler

Some new Interventions – Double tyre – more 25% Field capacity

8150

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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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GROWTH OF LASER LEVELING IN PUNJAB

With Due Acknowledgement to CIMMYT

Benefits

• Improved Crop Establishment

• Uniform Crop Maturity

• Increased Productivity

• Increased Yield

• Reduced Chemical Run-off

• Assist in Top Soil Management

• Increased in Cultivable area (2% - 3%)

• Increase in Water application efficiency• Saving in irrigation water, (20 – 30%)• Better crop stand• Improved weed control efficiency• Less area under bunds/ridges• Very good for Bed/Ridge Farming• Reduced labor requirement for irrigation• Totally Automatic (less load on operator)

Farmers Response

Limitations

• High cost of the equipment/laser instrument

• Needs training to the operator to set/adjust laser and operate the tractor

• More efficient for regularly sized and shaped field

• Few custom operators

Thanks