Assessment of Low Cost Technologies for Drudgery Mitigation in Ginger Production System

Abstract

Low cost technologies developed for turmeric production system were tested in ginger production system. Physiological workload of the selected women workers while performing selected activities in ginger production system was assessed by heart rate method. Total 46 healthy farm workers working in the field for 6-7 hrs/ day were selected for the study. Study was conducted in Pokharni, Katneshwar, Nandgaon, Bharati Camp Dist. Parbhani & Hatta, Adgaon, Satephal villages of Dist. Hingoli. For collection of data 46 female workers, three replications, 5 activities viz. planting, weeding, earthing up, fertilizer application, Harvesting, Sorting & cleaning and two methods i. e. existing and improved were selected. It was seen that Cardiac cost of work for planting and earthing up activities performed by women farm worker in improved method over existing method was reduced by 16 and 12 percent respectively in Ginger production system. Rated perceived exertion was decreased by 13-32 per cent in improved method of planting, weeding, earthing up and manual fertilizer application and harvesting and cleaning activities. The developed technologies viz. digging tools (Ukari and finger guards), new khurpi, Sulbha bag and Earthing up tool (Sawadi) used by farm women in ginger production system for planting, weeding, earthing up and manual fertilizer application activities were successful in increasing pace of work.