Design and Optimization of a Pneumatic Multirow Teff Seeding System With Wet‐Flow Parameter Analysis

Teff sowing in Ethiopia is hampered by the inefficiency of traditional broadcasting and the seed′s susceptibility to clogging in mechanical seeders. This study presents the design, optimization, and performance evaluation of a novel pneumatic row‐seeding machine tailored to address these specific challenges. The system′s key components—a seed‐metering mechanism, blower, distributor, and HDPE air supply tubes—were designed with a focus on human ergonomics and material suitability. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated multidisciplinary approach combining analytical modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with ANSYS, and response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize critical parameters: seed particle velocity, dropping height, and seed layer thickness. CFD simulations accurately modeled seed flow patterns and were validated against existing literature, while a liquid bridge model confirmed that moisture content up to 80% relative humidity does not cause immediate clogging. Through a Box–Behnken design in RSM, the optimal parameters were determined to be a particle velocity of 5 m/s and a dropping height of 30 cm. Under these optimized conditions, the final prototype proved highly effective, achieving a compact and lightweight (3 kg) design that enables a single laborer to plant 1 ha in just 2 h. This represents a significant efficiency gain over traditional methods. The study successfully demonstrates that the optimized pneumatic seeder meets teff agronomic requirements, offering a practical and efficient solution to enhance sowing precision and productivity.