ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF VEGETABLE HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR FARM WOMEN

Abstract

The present study entitled “Ergonomic Assessment of Vegetable Harvesting Technologies for Farm women” was carried out with the objectives to assess the physiological cost of work, musculoskeletal disorders, and occupational health hazards and accidents faced by farm women while performing brinjal and okra harvesting in traditional and improved method. The use of mittens and cotton picking apron, developed by AICRP College of Home Science, MKV Parbhani was considered as an improved method. The result showed that use of mittens and apron reduced physiological stress of the farm women in harvesting of brinjal (16.63%) and okra (16%).The work output was increased significantly while performing harvesting of brinjal and okra with improved method. It was found that there was increase in pace of work by 19.96 and 21.87 per cent in case of brinjal and okra harvesting respectively when performed by improved method. Similarly, area covered under vegetable harvesting was increased when performed by improved method by 19.08 and 24.89 per cent in case of brinjal and okra harvesting respectively. There was significant relief from muscular pain, grip fatigue, drudgery experienced, difficulty perception and workload. Thus, it can be concluded that use of mittens and apron was beneficial and we should motivate more and more women to use these technologies for reducing their drudgery in vegetable harvesting.