Different mechanization practices are included in the drying process, which is among the methods (ensiling, drying, storing at high moisture level, etc.) used in the preservation of roughage, which has an important place in the nutrition of ruminant animals. Haymaking processes are applied by natural (at the field) or artificial drying methods (in warehouses and special dryers). During drying, the hay may be loose or loosely baled. The machines that can be used in various stages of haymaking from harvesting forage to filling the warehouse can be listed as strimmers, crushers, windrow harvesters, hay rakes, loose forage harvesters, balers, bale collecting and transporting machines. These mechanization practices have positive and negative aspects relative to each other. In other words, these mechanization practices affect hay quality at different levels. In this study, different mechanization practices applied in hay drying and the effects of these mechanization practices on hay quality were emphasized.

The paper attempts to explore the factors affecting the farm mechanization in Nepal, where agriculture is the primary livelihood of most people and the mechanization is crucial for efficient production and productivity. The government has also introduced a separate policy for agriculture mechanization in 2014. A primary data was collected from 300 households and analysed to assess and quantify the determinants of the farm mechanization. A descriptive analysis was carried out for understanding the data and the results were interpreted. Similarly, the multiple regression was executed to assess the factors affecting total investment in the farm machinery. The five different models were specified and compared for the better results. Moreover, to have deeper insight, the farm machinery was categorized into light machinery, heavy machinery and animal power. The results showed that light machinery is an essential part of Nepali farming system. Likewise, the presence of animal power, income per capita, per capita farm area, adaptation due to change in temperature, Household size, Farm area and income are significant determinants for total investment in farm mechanization.