PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN MECHANICAL HARVESTING OF BLACKEYE PEAS (COWPEAS) IN THE INTERMEDIATE SAVANNAHS OF GUYANA

Efforts at large scale production of blackeye peas in Guyana have been centred around a system of mechanized farming in the Intermediate Savannah region of the country. The crop is well adapted to savannah conditions and produced well. It has been possible to mechanize all field agronomic operations; however problems have been encountered with mechanical harvesting with combine harvester due to a complex of factors which in most cases are inter related. The paper discusses the problems associated with the three major factors in the complex:- (i) The plant (ii) The harvesting machine (iii) The micro climatic factor. Timing of planting is important in relation to time of harvesting. Excessive rainfall during the maturity and harvesting periods can cause reduction in both yields and quality of harvested beans. Correct machine adjustment is also a significant consideration with regard to yield and quality. Systems and methods for surmounting the problems described are discussed