A Comprehensive Review of Mechanized Cabbage Harvesting Systems and Its Present Status in India

摘要

India ranks second in cabbage production all over the world. Still, in India, cabbage is harvested manually which involves human drudgery. But, other developed countries have already established stable mechanical harvesting systems for cabbage. This review paper focuses on the various cutting, conveying and leaf separating mechanisms used in cabbage harvesting systems available in developed countries. The harvesting stage of cabbage, important cultural practices for mechanical harvesting of cabbages and various physical and mechanical properties for designing a cabbage harvester have also been discussed. Smaller land size has been found as the reason why mechanization remained limited in harvesting of cabbage in India. A suitable idea for cabbage harvesters to suit Indian field conditions has been proposed in this paper to reduce drudgery in its harvesting. Hopefully, Indian researchers and farm machinery manufacturers will show up interest in this matter and a cabbage harvester will be developed soon for reducing the drudgery of Indian cabbage producers.