The study aims to determine the economic and environmental performace of Straw Baler for collection of rice residue generated after mechanical harvesting by combine harvester. Increased mechanization, particularly use of combine, declining number of livestock, long period required for composting and no economically viable alternate use of crop residues are some of the reasons for open field burning of crop residue after harvesting of paddy crop for cleaning of field to sow wheat crop without chocking the conventional zero-till machine in field. This study was conducted at KVK, Rohtas farm Dhangain in year 2013-14 with baler Model 338 of John Deere make, tractor of Zetor model and hydraulic trailer. Straw baler facilitated in collection of paddy straw of 43.6 quintal/ha at cost of just Rs. 1650, which promotes animal rearing, compost/vermicompost production, power generation, bio-gas production, bio-char production, mushroom production, ehtenoal production, mulching in high value crops for stress mitigation. Promotion of straw baler may facilitates in setting up of fodder bank at large scale which may be used in case of natural extemities i.e. flood or drought for feeding animal population.

Air pollution from crop residue burning in India is an environmental menace that makes headlines every year – is a major ill effect of farm mechanization. Keeping the severity of the problem in view, KVK, Rohtas introduced happy seeder in Rabi 2016-17 with objective to assess its suitability for crop residue management. The intensively cultivated irrigated rice–wheat area is fundamental to employment, income and livelihoods for about three million population of the district. Happy seeder of Kamboj make, Zero-till machine of National make and local made seed drill were used for comparative study of residue management. Seed drill was used where rice residue were completely burned before sowing. Zero-till machine was used where about 50% residue was remais after buring. The significant change were observed in plant population, bundel weight and grain yield in these trials with respect to farmers practice. It is concluded that happy seeder not only improves the farmers income but also conserve the most of the production inputs. Reduction in green house gass emission, nutrient recycling, soil health improvemnt are added advantages of happy seeder technology.