FAQs on harvesting

 Can I buy a combine harvester from IRRI?

Could you please help me in getting some information on Mini Rice Combine harvester developed by IRRI? Where can I buy it?

The rice mini combine harvester was not developed by IRRI but by Briggs&Stratton in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The design was then transferred to several manufacturers in Vietnam and the Philippines. The machine is based on a Chinese design but the quality is much improved.

IRRI is working with Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and several national research institutions on introducing mechanized harvesting in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The mini combine turned out a viable solution for demonstrating the principle of combine harvesting, so we imported one machine from Vietnam to Cambodia and helped AfricaRice to also import a machine to Africa. The machine was then used for field days and promotion of mechanized harvesting.

We observed that in Vietnam and Cambodia the mini combine gets quickly replaced by small rice combines with 2—2.5m cutting width. We don’t know of any manufacturer anymore in Southeast Asia who makes mini combines.

IRRI itself is a research and training institute. While we might produce prototypes of new machines every now and then, we don’t produce commercial machines and we also don’t trade with them. If we know a good supplier delivering good quality products and services we might refer inquiries to them.

Disclaimer: Please note that while we are providing you with the information about manufacturers, IRRI is not endorsing any specific manufacturer nor do we warrant the quality or fitness for use of any product  or service provided by the manufacturer. There might be alternative sources who produce similar equipment with similar specifications and quality.