This study surveyed 30-power thresher and one STR-1 dryer operation during the April to June 2003 in some villages of Barhatta Upazila in Netrakona district. Project appraisal technique was adopted to compare the performance of the two types of devices in terms of benefit cost ratio, net present value and internal rate of return (IRR). The costs of threshing and drying per quintal were respectively Tk 25.36 and Tk 30.03. The cost of firing wood, diesel and labour costs constitutes the major share of the total drying cost while the labour and diesel cost constituted the major share of the threshing cost of paddy. IRR of the dryer machine was found -2 percent and for thresher, it was 89.12 percent. The dryer was used only 10 working days during the rainy season of 2003. If it is considered 30 working days due to increase in rainy weather, the IRR will be 72 percent. Rainy weather is very important factor for using the dryer. Finally, the study strongly recommended for rapid extension of thresher and dryer technologies through government and non-government agencies for improving livelihood of the resource poor farmers.