MECHANIZATION IN PRUNING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE YIELD OF TEA

This study evaluated the efficiency and economic viability of mechanized pruning compared to traditional manual pruning in mature tea plantations of Bangladesh. Conducted at the Bangladesh Tea Research Institute over a four-year period, the experiment tested three pruning treatments—manual pruning (T1), mechanized pruning only (T2), and mechanized pruning followed by manual repair (T3)—across four pruning types: Light Pruning (LP), Deep Skiff (DSK), Medium Skiff (MSK), and Light Skiff (LSK). Mechanized pruning significantly reduced labour time, with T2 being 1.3 to 3.0 times faster than T1. Fuel consumption was highest in LP and lowest in LSK. Despite minor yield differences among treatments, mechanization showed no significant negative impact on productivity. In fact, T2 and T3 often slightly outperformed manual pruning in LP and DSK. Economic analysis indicated that T3 was most profitable for LP and DSK, while T1 remained optimal for MSK and LSK. These results suggest that targeted mechanization in tea pruning can enhance efficiency and profitability without compromising yield.