International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 05 Issue: 11| Nov 2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.211 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 547 Design and performance evaluation of a NARO forage chopper prototype for smallholder dairying systems Kiggundu Muhammad 1 , Kato Hussein Walusimbi 2 , Komakech Jimmy 3 , Mugerwa Swidiq 4 1,2,3,4 National Agricultural Research Organization-National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 5704, Kampala, Uganda ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract - Feeding dairy cattle un-chopped forages is associated with selective feed consumption and high feed wastage. Although majority of farmers still rely on the use of rudimentary implements notably the panga for chopping forage, use of such implements is time consuming and is associated with drudgery and health hazards. In this article, we describe the process of designing, fabrication and evaluation of a low-cost forage chopper used to chop forages to reduce drudgery associated with the use of rudimentary chopping implements. The forage chopper prototype consists of a 7.0 horse power water cooled diesel engine, connected to cutting blades in a cutting chamber via a shaft and coupling joint. We tested and evaluated the chopper prototype using different forages. Averagely, the machine was capable chopping 859.3 kilograms per hour. The average length of the chopped materials was 2.9 cm and 2.1 cm for Napier grass and maize, respectively. The average estimated cost of the chopper was 882.6 USD compared with average cost (1,184.2 USD) of imported choppers with diesel engines of similar horsepower, implying that farmer could save up to 301.6 USD at the time of purchasing the chopper. Key Words: Forage chopper, performance evaluation, smallholder dairy, Uganda 1. INTRODUCTION Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) constitute the dominant forage-based feed resource fed to dairy cattle under zero-grazing systems in East Africa (Lukuyu et al., 2012). The forage is normally offered to dairy cattle in un- chopped or inappropriately chopped form (Kiyimba, 2011) leading to significant feed wastage attributed partly to selection of palatable and/or refusal of unpalatable fodder parts by animals (Zemmelink and Mannetje, 2002). Yet, appropriate chopping of fodder has been demonstrated to boost feed intake, lower feed rejection and consequently reduce feed wastage by 50 percent. In an attempt to boost feed utilization efficiency in forage-based dairy feeding systems through minimization of feed wastage, farmers use several farm implements notably pangas (Photo 1), manual chaff cutters and motorized forage choppers to chop different forage resources. However, the many forage chopping equipment particularly pangas and chaff cutters are associated with several limitations including drudgery, ineffectiveness, and health concerns. Indeed, several farmers have reported loss of fingers during panga-aided forage chopping operations. Photo-1: Farmer chopping Napier grass using a panga Also, majority of the forage choppers used in Uganda are imported into the country but the high initial cost of purchase (average USD 1,184.2) coupled with the shortage of after-sales repair and maintenance services discourages farmers from buying the imported machines. In addition, some of the choppers are made from low quality and/or light metal sheets reducing the productive life of the machines. Therefore, in this article we describe the design, development process and performance of a low-cost and effective forage chopper prototype that can be used and operated by smallholder dairy farmers to appropriately and efficiently chop forage resources, boost feed intake, reduce wastage and consequently bolster productivity of small-scale dairying systems.