Labour consumption in blackcurrant production

Authors

• Maritta Yläranta Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Helsinki, SF-00710 Helsinki 71
• Viljo Ryynänen Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Helsinki, SF-00710 Helsinki 71

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72080

Abstract

Twenty-nine blackcurrant growers participated in the study, which took place between 1977—1980.The purpose of the study was to establish how much time was spent in preparing the fallow ground, planting, cultivating and harvesting blackcurrants. The total area of blackcurrant cultivation included in the study was 136,7 ha. The work involved in establishing an area of one hectare for blackcurrant cultivation took 147,0 man hours using methods which were only slightly mechanized and 98,5 man hours using more mechanized methods. The corresponding tractor hours were 37,0 and 38,0. In the normal fruit-bearing years (following the third growth period) cultivating tasks took 158,5 man hours and 9,5 tractor hours using slightly mechanized methods. With more mechanized methods, the labour consumption was 95,0 man hours and 24,0 tractor hours per hectare. Harvesting with a mechanical harvester took 37,5 man hours, 6,0 harvester hours and 8,0 tractor hours per hectare. The corresponding average yield was 3 300 kg/ha. An average of 4 000 kg/ha were harvested by baton, accounting for 400,0 manhours and 6,0 tractor hours per hectare. The bushes were handpicked after mechanical harvesting. 800 kg/ha were picked in 210,5 hours.