Farming Systems Research Station Kerala Agricultural University Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara, Kollam Dist.

Transcription

1 Western Ghat Development Programme Final Technical Report Empowering Women in Rice Farming Through Gender Sensitive Farm Mechanisation and Ergonomic Evaluation of Rice Transplanters for Women of Western Ghats Region Dr. BINI SAM Professor & Principal Investigator Farming Systems Research Station Kerala Agricultural University Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara, Kollam Dist.

2 Western Ghat Development Programme Final Technical Report On Empowering Women in Rice Farming Through Gender Sensitive Farm Mechanisation and ergonomic evaluation of rice transplanters for women of Western Ghats region Dr. BINI SAM Professor & Principal Investigator Farming Systems Research Station Kerala Agricultural University Sadanandapuram Kottarakkara, Kollam dist. 1

3 1.Title of the project 2. Name of the Principal investigator 3. Co PI/Associates 4. Date of start and total duration 5.Locations/Department and institution 6. Sanction order No. 7. AS & TS details 8. Total budget sanctioned 9. Budget amount spent 10.Year-wise budget and expenditure: Head of accountamount sanctioned (Rs. lakhs) & revalidated for Amount sanctioned (Rs. lakhs) SRF/JRF/RA/ot her contingencies 210-Research 0.30 Material 420-Equipment others TA Fuel 0.20 charges Institutional Charges Total Empowering Women in Rice Farming Through Gender Sensitive Farm Mechanisation and ergonomic evaluation of rice transplanters for women of Western Ghats region Dr. (Mrs.) Bini Sam Professor (Farm Machinery) Farming Systems Research Station, Sadanandapuram Kottarakkara Dr. S. Regeena, Professor and Head , two years Farming Systems Research Station Kerala Agricultural University Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara G.O.(MS) No. 38/14/Plg dated G.O.(MS) No. 38/14/Plg dated No. R7/62247/12 dated No. R7/62247/12 dated Rs lakhs Rs lakhs Expenditure Balance for amount ((Rs. lakhs) (Rs. Lakhs) 2.64 Total Expenditur amount e for 2015available 16 ((Rs. for lakhs) expenditur e for (Rs.)

4 Empowering Women in Rice Farming Through Gender Sensitive Farm Mechanisation and ergonomic evaluation of rice transplanters for women of Western Ghats region ABSTRACT Rice cultivation in the State has been steadily shrinking in spite of the best efforts by the Government and various other agencies to boost it. Considerable reduction in labour requirement can be achieved through selective mechanisation with appropriate farm machinery systems to change rice production as economically viable. A survey was conducted in selected rice farming tracts in Southern districts of Kerala to assess the extent of adoption of farm equipments in rice production and also work load or drudgery perceived by the women workers in rice farming operations. Most of the farmers do not have their own tractors, power tillers and other farm machinery equipments. They hired these machines for their own use on payment basis. At present, tillage operations in rice cultivation are mechanized with the help of tractors and power tillers. Other labour-intensive operations such as weeding, transplanting and harvesting in rice cultivation are performed manually. Farm machinery/equipments play an important role in performing difficult operations as strongly perceived by per cent of farmers. Weeding was the operation which involved maximum drudgery. Rice transplanting caused back and waist pain as strongly perceived by the female labourers. Other major problems expressed by the workers included, muscular fatigue due to lifting of crop for threshing and breathing problems due to dust while threshing, eye/skin irritation due to pesticide application. Paddy transplanting is a highly labour intensive operation. To ease the transplanting work, research organizations have developed various types of rice transplanters. At present there are different models of rice transplanters available in the market. The safety and efficiency aspects of these transplanters with respect to women workers are not being studied. Therefore a study was undertaken to evaluate the existing models of three rice transplanters namely Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter, Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter and Manual 2 row transplanter on the ergonomic basis. The physiological costs of work of these transplanters were compared with the traditional method. Anthropometric dimensions of 100 women labourers with reference to the dimensions and positions of the functional components of tools/implements used in the rice cultivation were measured and ten subjects conforming to the statistical requirements were selected for 3

5 the study. All the ten subjects were calibrated in the laboratory by indirect assessment of oxygen uptake. There was significant difference in heart rate and energy expenditure in the operation of different models of transplanters and traditional method of transplanting. Minimum heart rate was observed in Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter with a value of beats min-1 while maximum heart rate was observed in traditional method of transplanting ( beats min-1 ). The heart rate observed in manual 2 row transplanter was beats min-1. The increase in energy cost while operating Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter was 13 per cent when compared to Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter. Energy cost was recorded significantly higher in operating the transplanters after 11 am than before 9 am. Average heart rate before 9 am was beats min-1 while after 11 am it was increased to beats min-1. The oxygen consumption in terms of VO2 max was minimum while operating Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter and it was within the acceptable limit. The oxygen consumption in terms of VO2 max were much higher than that of the AWL limits of 35 per cent for other selected operations indicating these operations could not be done continuously for 8 hours without frequent rest-pauses. Mean overall discomfort rating on a 10 point visual analogue discomfort scale varied from 3.0 to 8.4 and scaled as " Light discomfort" to "More than moderate discomfort" for selected operations. The BPDS value was maximum ( 46.80) in transplanting manually, where as it was minimum in transplanting with Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter ( 20.15). The three models of transplanters were comparatively safe for operation. Manual 2 row transplanter was found difficult to operate compared with other transplanters. The work rest cycle was 30 minutes of work followed by 2 minutes rest for Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter, 9 minutes rest for Mahindra walking type, 12 minutes rest for manual transplanter and 14 minutes rest for traditional method. Modifications in manual two transplanter were carried out. The existing wooden float was replaced by a fiber float for easy movement of the machine in the wet field which also reduces the overall weight of the machine. The existing chain and sprocket drive mechanism moves in both directions (clock wise and anti clock wise directions) which restricts easy movement of handle bar. So a new sprocket with 80 mm dia having 17 teeth is fitted in the machine which allows the motion of handle bar only in one direction ie in anticlock wise direction and also reduced the cranking resistance of handle. Curved bend guide made up of sheet metal is also fabricated and fitted in the machine on both sides for easy movement of the seedlings without any damage. 4

6 CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF PLATES I. INTRODUCTION II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Equipments 2.2. Survey and Data Collection 2.3 Training programmes 2.4. Selection of subjects Anthropometric measurements of women labourers 2.5. Medical fitness of subjects 2.6. Training of the selected female subjects 2.7. Selection of study area 2.8. Calibration of subjects Basal metabolic rate Calibration process 2.9. Selection of transplanters Redlands 8- row riding type transplanter Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Manual 2 row transplanter Ergonomic evaluation of selected transplanters Energy cost of operation Acceptable workload (AWL) Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max) Limit of continuous performance (LCP) Subjective rating scales Overall discomfort rating (ODR) Body part discomfort score (BPDS) Overall safety rating (OSR) Overall Ease of Operation Rating (OER) 5

7 2.12. Work rest cycle Heat stress III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Extent of adoption of farm equipments in rice production Attitude towards farm mechanization Constraints for non adoption of farm implements/ machinery Constraints in using equipments 3.2. Extent of work load in rice farming operations 3.3. Training programmes 3.4. Analysis of anthropometric data and selection of subjects 3.5. Medical fitness 3.6. Calibration of subjects Basal Metabolic Rate Calibration Chart 3.7. Energy cost of selected rice transplanters Energy cost as influenced by time of operation Variation of heart rate and energy cost with subjects 3.8. Grading of work 3.9. Acceptable work load Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) Limit of continuous performance (LCP) Subjective rating scales Overall discomfort rating (ODR) Body part discomfort score (BPDS) Overall Safety Rating (OSR) Overall Ease of Operation Rating (OER) Work rest cycle Heat stress Modification of Manual Two row Transplanter REFERENCES 6

8 LIST OF TABLES Table No. Title Page No. 2.1 List of equipment purchased for the study Anthropometric Dimensions measured during the survey Specification of Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Specification of Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Specification of Manual 2 row transplanter Scale for OSR and OER Specification of Globe thermometer Usage of equipment for rice cultivation Usage of sprayer Attitude towards farm mechanization Constraints for non adoption of farm implements/ machinery Pain in different parts of body due to weeding operation Pain in different parts of body due to rice transplanting Pain in different parts of body due to threshing Drudgery/ health hazard involved in spraying operation Analysis of anthropometric dimensions of women labourers Details of the subjects selected for the study Results of medical and bio- clinical investigations 61 7

9 3.12 Basal metabolic rate of selected subjects Mean heart rate and energy cost of selected transplanters Heart rate and energy cost as influenced by time of operation Variation of heart rate of female workers for selected operations Variation of energy cost of female workers for selected operations Tentative classification of strains (ICMR) in different types of jobs Grading of work for transplanting operations VO2 max for selected subjects Oxygen uptake in terms of VO2 max in transplanting operation Work pulse in transplanting operation Overall discomfort rating of subjects during selected operations Body part discomfort score (BPDS) of the subjects for selected operations Overall Safety rating of selected operations Overall Ease of Operation rating of selected operations Proposed work rest cycle for selected rice transplanters Heat stress for selected operations 78 8

10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Title Page No. No. 2.1 Visual analogue discomfort scale for assessment of overall body discomfort Regions for evaluating body part discomfort score a Relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate of (1-5) subjects b Relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate of (6-10) subjects 64 9

11 LIST OF PLATES Plate No. Title Page No. 2.1 Integrated Composite Anthropoemeter ( ICA) Measurement of stature using ICA Measurement of grip strength Measurement of internal grip diameter Views of the meeting with panchayat officials and farmers Measurement of Basal metabolic rate of subject Calibration of subject Redlands 8 - row riding type transplanter Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Manual 2 row transplanter Manual Transplanting Views of preparation of mat nursery Measurement of heart rate during operation of Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Measurement of heart rate during operation of 4 row walking type transplanter Measurement of heart rate during operation of Manual 2 row transplanter Measurement of heart rate during operation of manual transplanting Views of training programmes on farm machinery Modified Manual 2 row Transplanter 80 10

12 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Rice is the most important cereal and staple food consumed in Kerala. Rice cultivation in the State has been steadily shrinking in spite of the best efforts by the Government and various other agencies to boost it. As per statistics of , production of rice in Kerala was 0.51 million tonnes with productivity of 2551 kg/ha. In fact the rice area has shrunken from 0.76 million hectare in 1960 s to about 0.19 million hectare in (Dept. of Economics and Statistics, Kerala, 2015). Some of the factors attributed to the decline of rice cultivation are high labour cost, shortage of labour and lack of appropriate farming machines. Considerable reduction in labour requirement can be achieved through selective mechanisation with appropriate farm machinery systems to change rice production as economically viable. In Kerala state where rice is the principal cereal crop, women farmers form a significant work force and play an important role in rice cultivation. In almost all rice growing areas, women are responsible for sowing, transplanting, weeding and harvesting. Women labourers have expressed many problems while performing operation in rice cultivation (Padmavathi and Veerabhadraiah, 2002). According to the their study, the major problems are body ache due to manual weeding, backache due to transplanting, physical strain due to seed bed preparation and hardness in hand and feet due to working in the wet field. Rice is generally sown either by direct seeding or by transplanting depending upon the availability of water. Generally it was found that the production increases by 10 to12 per cent in transplanting when compared with direct sowing (Ojha and Kwatra, 2014). In rice cultivation operations, during transplanting the women workers adopt strongly bent posture in the muddy field for a long time in sweltering weather. The 11

13 continuously bending posture, putting support on knees and repetitive movement of hands for planting of seedlings in different environmental conditions cause more discomfort and develop risk factors. The developed risk factors leads to musculockeletel disorers (MSD s). The six prime categories of ergonomic risk factors that may be identified as the cause of musculoskeletal injury or illness within a work environment include repetition, forceful exertion, awkward posture, contact stress, vibration, and temperature extremes (Ojha and Kwatra, 2014). To offset these problems, mechanical transplanting is the solution. Agricultural equipment and implements are usually designed to match the physical requirements and capacities of men and the woman may have greater difficulties in operating these machines and their risk of injuries to health is enhanced. If the women have right tools for work in the fields, the work efficiency and health would be better. As a result their social status will be improved through economic empowerment. Now a days particular attention was given to the needs of women while designing the equipment to ensure better health and safety in use of these equipments. An analysis of the changes in the rice farming technologies will highlight the gender discrimination-all the drudgery removed technologies developed for women performed tasks are being used by men. To ease the transplanting work, research organizations have developed various types of rice transplanters and available in markets. The women should have an easy access to this equipment through extension education for making rural women empowered for self employment. Hence, it is important and utmost necessary to make rural women empowered in rice farming to enable them to be in the central part of development process and to realize their full identity and power in life. 12

14 Human energy measurements are important because whenever the physical capacity of a person is exceeded, it is bound to cause considerable fatigue and reduction in the efficiency of operation. Thus, investigations on ergonomic evaluation of farm equipment can provide a rational basis for recommendation of methods and improvement in equipment design for more output and safety. Systematic efforts to evaluate the energy expenditure of female labourers in rice transplanting are generally non-existent. Hence it is proposed to evaluate the transplanting operations ergonomically with available equipments (manually operated and self propelled) for effective integration of women labourers available for rice cultivation. At present there are different models of rice transplanters available in the market. The safety and efficiency aspects of these transplanters with respect to women workers are not being studied. Keeping in view the above facts, the present research work Empowering Women in Rice Farming Through Gender Sensitive Farm Mechanisation and ergonomic evaluation of rice transplanters for women of Western Ghats region was taken up with the following objectives. The main objective of the study is to reduce the workload/drudgery of women labourers in rice farming operations and enhancing their opportunities for remunerative employment and income using women friendly equipments. This study will help to formulate a congenial organizational mechanism for ensuring extensive community level use of selected rice farming equipments with the help of Self Help Groups. i) To assess the extent of adoption of farm equipments in rice production at the individual level and group level in selected rice farming tracts in Southern districts of Kerala 13

15 ii) To identify the extent of work load or drudgery as perceived by the women workers in rice farming operations iii) To train the Self Help Group Members in using selected rice farming equipments, conduct method demonstrations and field trials and study the constraints to adoption by the farming community iv) To assess the ergonomic suitability of selected farm equipments v) To explore the possibility of modifying and refining the technologies if necessary vi) To assess the techno economic advantage of the new equipment in terms of selected parameters as perceived by the farmers vii) To formulate a congenial organizational mechanism for ensuring extensive community level use of selected farm equipments with the help of Self Help Groups 14

16 CHAPTER II MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Equipments The following equipment sanctioned under the project (Table 2.1) was purchased for the study. Table 2.1. List of equipment purchased for the study Sl. No 1 Equipment Polar RS 300X Heart Rate Monitor 2 Mahindra MP 461 Rice Transplanter 3 Manual Rice Transplanter 4 Bicycle Ergometer 2.2 Survey and Data Collection A comprehensive survey questionnaire was prepared in consultation with experts in the field of farm mechanization and a group of farmers including farm women. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data related to total land holding pattern, cropping pattern, farm machinery/implements currently in use, constraints in adoption of farm implements/machinery, difficulties faced by the farmers in the use of farm machinery/implements, drudgery involved in the operation of farm machinery, type and cause of accidents in the operation of farm machinery / farm implements and nature of injury/illness and the body parts affected while using the equipments, identification of the needs /requirements of the farmers regarding farm machinery/implements in rice farming system. The questionnaire was administered in long interview sessions in which the farmers were allowed to reflect broadly on the issues of farming experienced by them. Kollam district consists of 13 blocks covering 71 panchayats. National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning, Banglore has delineated the district into four 15

17 Agro Ecological Units. Krishi Vijyan Kendra, Kollam has prepared a database of lead farmers of Kollam district from the four Agro Ecological Units in consultation with Agriculture Department under LEADS project ( Lead Farmer Centered Extension Advisory and Delivery Services) funded by Government of Kerala. Three lead farmers are selected from each panchayat. Under each lead farmer a group of 10 farmers called satellite farmers are also selected. The database consists of 210 lead farmers. In this study, the data was collected from these lead farmers as well as from the satellite group of 10 farmers around lead farmers whom using farm machinery/implements in rice farming system. Out of 13 blocks in Kollam district, 6 blocks are identified as western ghat districts. These blocks cover 39 panchayats. Special attention was given to select farmers using farm machinery/implements in rice farming system in these panchayats. Data from 200 farmers were collected. A survey among women labourers was also conducted to assess the drudgery involved in different agricultural operations. 2.3 Training programmes Training programmes in different aspects like their operation, repair, service and maintenance of rice farming equipments such as paddy drum seeder, rotary weeder, cono weeder, manually operated transplanter, self propelled rice transplanter, power reaper, power tiller have been conducted as part of the programme. Progressive farmers, labourers, youth, women etc. make use of this training facility for getting thoroughly trained in the use of agro machinery. 2.4 Selection of subjects A preliminary survey was conducted among women agricultural labourers engaged in rice cultivation in southern districts of Kerala. An anthropometric survey was conducted to select the subjects for the study. 16

18 2.4.1 Anthropometric measurements of women labourers Anthropometry is one of the major disciplines of ergonomics dealing with measurements of human body dimensions. The use of female anthropometric data can help in the proper designing of equipment for better efficiency, safety and comfort of women. With the advent of technology, disregard for the human factor is no longer possible and a knowledge of woman s size and its variability has become progressively more critical in designing farm equipment and tools for them. The most important requirement in the consideration of female anthropometric data in ergonomic designing is availability of ready data. The pertinent anthropometric dimensions of women labourers with reference to the dimensions and positions of the functional components of implements/ tools used in rice cultivation were identified. Thirty five different body dimensions (Table 2.2) useful for the design or redesign of agricultural equipment and tools selected for the study were recorded by following standard anthropometric procedure. Table 2.2. Anthropometric Dimensions measured during the survey Sl. No. Measurement 1 2 Body Weight Stature 3 Vertical reach 4 Vertical grip reach 5 Eye height 6 Acrimial height Definition It is measured on a calibrated weighing scale. The vertical distance from the standing surface to the top of the head. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the middle finger when arm, hand and fingers are extended vertically. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the pointer when arm is maximally extended upward. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. The vertical distance from the standing surface to the inner corner of eye. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. The vertical distance from the standing surface to the acromion. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. 17

19 Elbow height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the top of the radiale. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. Olecranon height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the undersurface of the elbow, measured with the arm flexed 90 and the upper arm vertical. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. Illiocrystale heght The vertical distance from the standing surface to the top of the ilium in the mid axillary plane. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Illiospinale height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the iliospinale. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Trochanteric height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the trochanterion. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Metacarpal III height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the height of the knuckle where the middle finger joins the palm. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. Knee height The vertical distance from the standing surface to the midpoint of knee cap. The subject stands erect & looks straight forward. Arm reach from the wall The distance from the wall to the tip of the middle finger measured with subject shoulder against the wall, her hand & arm extended forward. Thump tip reach The distance from the wall to the tip of the thump measured with the shoulder against the wall, arm extended forward and index finger touching the tip of the thump Shoulder grip length The horizontal distance from a pointer held in the subject fist to a wall against which he sits, measured with the arms extended forward & horizontal. Elbow grip length The distance from the tip of the bent elbow to the center of the clenched fist. Biacromial breadth The transverse distance across the shoulder from right to left acromion. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Bideltoid breadth The horizontal distance across the maximum lateral protrusion of the right and left deltoid muscles. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Waist breadth The breadth of the torso at the waist level. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Hip breadth The maximum breadth of the lower torso. The subject stands erect and looks straight forward. Wrist Circumference The circumference of the wrist at the level of the tip of the styled process of the radius. Grip diameter (Inside) The diameter of the widest level of a cone which the subject can grasp with her thumb and middle finger touching. Maximum grip length The maximum length between the tip of the index finger 18

20 25 26 Coronoid fossa to hand length Forearm hand length 27 Hand length 28 Palm length Hand breadth across thumb Hand breadth Foot length Foot breadth 33 Functional leg length 34 Hand Grip strength ( Right) 35 Hand Grip strength ( Left) and the tip of the thumb while the palm, thumb and fingers are in grip position The distance frm the tip of the middle finger to the coronoid fossa with arms bend 90 with the upper arm The distance from the tip of the elbow to the top of the middle finger measured along the long axis of the arm The distance from the base of the hand to the top of the middle finger measured along the long axis of the hand. The distance from the base of the hand to the furrow where the middle finger folds upon the palm. The breadth of the hand measured at the level of the distal end of the 1st metacarpal of the thumb. The breadth of the hand as measured across the distal ends of the metacarpal bones. The length of the foot measured parallel to its long axis. The maximum breadth of the foot as measured at right angles to its long axis. The distance from the back at the waist level to the heel, measured along the long axis of the leg with the subject sitting erect on the edge of a chair, her leg extended forward with her knee straightened. The grip strength of right hand measured with hand grip dynamometer when the subject stands erect with her arms hanging downwards The grip strength of left hand measured with hand grip dynamometer when the subject stands erect with her arms hanging downwards Anthropometric data from 100 women labourers engaged in rice cultivation was collected who were chosen randomly among women agricultural labourers engaged in rice cultivation in Kollam district. In order to measure the various body dimensions of the subjects, an Integrated Composite Anthropometer, Digital hand grip dynamometer, Grip size measuring device (cone) and Medical balance were used. The subjects were briefed about the survey beforehand demonstrating the measurement procedure, in order to ensure their full cooperation. All the dimensions were measured in a correct posture and in a precise manner. The subjects were asked to stand on the platform of the anthropometer, its arm was adjusted according to her height and measurement was recorded from the vertical scale (Plates 2.1 & 2.2). Similarly, other measurements were recorded in sitting and standing 19

21 postures with the help of an anthropometer. The grip strength was measured using digital hand grip dynamometer (Plate 2.3) and the internal grip diameter was measured using grip size measuring device (cone) as shown in Plate 2.4. The data recorded for the subjects was taken to be the mean of three readings. The subjects were in the age group of 19 to 65 years. Measuring postures were maintained throughout the whole survey as natural as possible. To achieve a greater scientific uniformity, measurements were always carried out on the right-hand side of the subjects. 2.5 Medical fitness of subjects Performance of a job depends upon the level of skill and the motivation of the worker as well as on the fitness of the subject. The assessment of a worker s fitness for the body for prolonged work is necessary to ensure compatibility between the physical demand of the work and the physiological limitations of the worker. So the selected ten subjects were screened for normal health with the medical tests. The medical and bioclinical investigations conducted to assess the medical fitness of selected subjects include Electro Cardio Graph (ECG), blood pressure, pulse rate and bio-clinical analysis. The bio-clinical analysis of the blood was carried out for blood sugar, blood urea, hemoglobin, serum cholesterol for hypertension ailments and hyperthyroid diseases and urine analysis for diabetes, for all subjects in the clinical laboratory. 2.6 Training of the selected female subjects All the ten subjects were equally trained in the operation of Benedict Roth Recording Spirometer, Heart rate monitor and Bi-cycle ergometer. The Benedict- Roth spirometer is used to measure the basal metabolic rate. The apparatus consists of a 6 litre spirometer with a speed strip chart recorder. The spirometer bell is hung by means of a chain and counter weight over a pulley. The counter weight carries the light perspex ink writing pen. Initially oxygen from the 20

22 Plate 2.1. Integrated Composite Anthropoemeter ( ICA) Plate 2.2. Measurement of stature using ICA 21

23 Plate 2.3. Measurement of grip strength Plate 2.4. Measurement of internal grip diameter 22

24 oxygen cylinder was allowed to fill in the spirometer bell. The mouthpiece is fitted to the subject. Initially the subject allows to inhale atmospheric air for some time. After normalization of breathing rate, with the help of nose clip the nose of the subject is closed. The saddle valve is then turned on to oxygen present in the spirometer bell. The subject inhales oxygen through the inspirating valve, which is connected to the spirometer filled with oxygen, and releases carbondioxide through the expiratory valve coupled to carbondioxide absorber. The kymograph recorded the oxygen consumption on the strip chart. Heart rate monitor is a compact portable instrument to monitor the heart rate. This polar pacer heart rate monitor has four basic components such as chest belt transmitter, elastic strap, receiver unit and interface. Chest belt transmitter has the two electrodes fixed in the grooved rectangular area on the underside of the belt transmitter, which picks up heart beat rate from the body of subject and converts into electromagnetic signals. For better sensing the electrodes are wetted with water. Elastic strap is to secure the belt transmitter as high under the pectoral muscles as comfortable. Receiver is a unit, which receives the signals from the transmitter and displays it on screen and records the data in the memory. It has the ability to record with different intervals of 5, 15 and 60 seconds. The amount of memory is showed on display each time when a new recording is started. The receiver unit must be placed with in onemeter range or it can be tied on hand as a wrist watch. The receiver has provision to set up high target zone and low target zone limits. When the subject reaches these limits of heart beat it will indicate through alarm, or visual alarm, so that we can stop exerting the subject beyond these levels. The receiver is water resistant to 20-meter water column. Interface is the unit, which transmits the recorded heart rate values to the 23

25 computer. The heart rate values are displayed in maximum heart rate, minimum heart rate and average heart rate value of the subject during the operation. Bicycle ergometer was used for the calibration of the subjects. It is a stationary bicycle with an ergometr to measure the work done by the subject. The unit consists of a main frame with front and rear stabilizers. The main frame carries the seat post with saddle. The seat height was adjusted using a spring knob so that subjects can be pedalled the bicycle ergometer comfortably. A mechanism was also provided for applying resistance to the pedals which increases the intensity of the exercise. The handle bar was connected to the handle bar post and was fixed to the main frame. The LCD screen fixed on the handle bar post shows total time, total distance, total calories and pulse rate of the exercise. 2.7 Selection of study area To begin with, a detailed discussion with the people s representatives and the officials of the Department of Agriculture was conducted to draw out a plan to implement the programme. Sooranad North panchayat in Kollam District was selected purposively for the study. Subsequently, a farmer meeting was organized to assess the major constraints in rice cultivation in the project area and to outline the details of implementation. A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the severity of the factors that force the farmers to abstain from paddy cultivation showed that shortage of labour was the most important issue. Low price of farm produces and comparatively better returns from other crops were the second important reasons for abandoning paddy cultivation. Though the initial response of the farmers was lukewarm, the scientists and agricultural officer could convince the progressive farmers of the Padasekhara Samithi of the need to implement this programme in paddy cultivation in the Panchayat. Subsequently, a meeting was organized among women labourers 24

26 engaged in rice cultivation in the project area to select ten subjects conforming to the statistical requirements of anthropometric dimensions. As planned in the beginning, participant women farmers were exposed to the scientific packages during the course of the programme. Views of the meeting with panchayat officials, padasekara samithi and progreesive farmers are depicted in plate Calibration of subjects To evaluate physiological workload using heart rate the relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake for each subject must be determined. Both variables have to be measured simultaneously in the laboratory at a number of different submaximal workloads (Tewari et al, 2004). This process is known as calibrating the heart rate-vo2 relationship for a subject. Since the relationship between the two variables is linear, a subject's heart rate when it is subsequently measured in the field can be converted into an estimate of oxygen uptake by reference to the laboratory data. Estimates of energy expenditure during work can then be calculated from the oxygen-consumption data. The selected ten subjects were calibrated in the laboratory. The subjects pedaled a standard Bi-cycle ergometer at predetermined speed and with varying breaking loads, standard protocol was followed to record the data of oxygen consumption and the corresponding heart rate at different load conditions to arrive the relationship between the heart rate and oxygen consumption. The oxygen consumption was measured using Benedict- Roth Recording Spirometer and the heart beat rate using polar heart rate monitor. Before calibration, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of the subjects was measured Basal metabolic rate The Benedict- Roth spirometer is used to measure the basal metabolic rate. The apparatus consists of a 6 litre spirometer with a speed strip chart recorder. The spirometer bell is hung by means of a chain and counter weight over a pulley. The 25

27 Plate 2.5. Views of the meeting with panchayat officials and farmers 26

28 counter weight carries the light perspex ink writing pen. Initially oxygen from the oxygen cylinder was allowed to fill in the spirometer bell. The subjects were given complete rest for half an hour in a semi reclining position before the commencement of the test. The mouthpiece was fitted to the subject. Initially the subject allows to inhale atmospheric air for sometime. It is also ascertained that the subject is free from tension and fear for which the subject is detailed about the instrument and the experiment. After normalization of breathing rate, with the help of nose clip the nose of the subject was closed. The saddle valve is then turned on to oxygen present in the spirometer bell. The subject inhales oxygen through the inspirating valve, which is connected to the spirometer filled with oxygen, and releases carbondioxide through the expiratory valve coupled to carbondioxide absorber. The kymograph recorded the oxygen consumption on the strip chart. The oxygen consumption is measured by selecting a satisfactory uninterrupted section of exactly six minutes. The measurement of basal metabolic rate of the subject is shown in Plate 2.6. The procedure was repeated and the mean value was taken for the computation of BMR. Oxygen consumed per 6 minute was corrected under standard temperature and pressure for calculation of BMR. The procedure was repeated for all selected subjects Calibration process For calibration of the selected subjects, Bi-cycle ergometer and Benedict-Roth spirometer were used simultaneously. Before starting the experiment, all the subjects were properly trained for one month in using the instruments separately and in combination. The instrument operation was demonstrated to the subjects to familiarize them with the instruments so that they can use the instruments without any tension and fear. The electrodes contained in the chest belt transmitter of polar pacer heart rate monitor were wetted with water and fastened on the chest of the subject. The subject 27

29 was allowed to take complete rest for half an hour before the commencement of the test. The Benedict-Roth spirometer was set up for calibration. The spirometer bell was filled with oxygen and the subject was fitted with the mouthpiece and nose clip. The subject inhaled the atmospheric air through mouthpiece at the initial stage. Heart rate was monitored on the display unit. After normalization of breathing rate, the saddle valve was opened to inhale pure medical oxygen from the spirometer. The subjects pedaled a standard Bi-cycle ergometer at predetermined speed and with varying breaking loads. The test started with a submaximal load, which serves as a warming-up activity. A mechanism was also provided for applying resistance to the pedals which increases the intensity of the exercise. Then the workload of the subjects was increased gradually by increasing the resistance to the pedals using Tension knob until the subject was exhausted. The subject inhaled oxygen through the inspirating valve that was connected to the spirometer filled with oxygen and released carbon dioxide through the expiratory valve coupled to carbon dioxide absorber. The kymograph starts recording the oxygen consumption pattern of the subject on the chart continuously. The calibration of the subject is shown in Plate 2.7. Simultaneously the heart rate was recorded in the computerized heart rate monitor fitted with the subject. The same procedure was repeated for all the subjects. By using the data on heart rate and oxygen consumption rate, calibration chart was prepared with heart rate as the ordinate and the oxygen uptake as the abscissa for the selected ten subjects. 28

30 Plate 2.6. Measurement of Basal metabolic rate of subject Plate 2.7. Calibration of subject 29

31 2.9 Selection of transplanters At present there are different models of rice transplanters available in the market. The safety and efficiency aspects of these transplanters with respect to women workers are not being studied. In this study, three different models of rice transplanters were selected. The selected rice transplanters for the present study were listed below. i. Redlands 8 - row self-propelled riding type rice transplanter ii. Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter iii. Manual 2 row transplanter Redlands 8 - row riding type transplanter Redlands 8- row transplanter consist of 5.5 Hp powered single cylinder vertical diesel engine. It consumes 0.5 lt diesel per hour. This transplanter provided with 4 gear steering gear box like power steering. Hydraulic lifting function helps to climb ridges and work in muddy fields. It has a split crank swing arm planting mechanism with interchangeable planting arms. To avoid sinking in soft field, a plastic (PP) hollow float board is given (Plate 2.8). The specification of the selected Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter is furnished in Table 2.3. Table 2.3. Specification of Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Sl.no Details 1. Key Specifications Specifications Model & type Redlands, Riding Type Operation Efficiency acre/hour General Features Length x Width x Height (mm) 2640 x 2150 x 1300 Weight (kg) 400 Engine Type Single Cylinder Diesel Engine Output/RPM (kw (PS) / rpm) 3.4 kw 30

32 Applicable Fuel Diesel Fuel Efficiency 500 ml per hour Traveling Steering System Wheel Adjustment Hydraulic System Planting Number of Planting Rows 8 Distance between Rows (mm) 238 Hill Space (mm) 120, 140, 160, 190 Planting Depth (mm) 0 50 Number of Seedlings per Hill 2 8 Seeding Seedling Type Seedling Mat/ Tray Type Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter used in the study transplants seedlings from mat type nursery in four rows in a single pass with row to row distance of 30 cm and plant to plant spacing of 12 to 21 cm. It is a single wheel driven and fitted with diesel engine. The main components of the transplanter are engine assembly, traction frame and transplanter assembly (Plate 2.9). The float facilitates the transplanter to slide over the puddle surface. The tray containing mat type nursery for rows is moved sideways by a scroll shaft mechanism, which converts rotary motion received from the engine through belt-pulley, gear and universal joint shaft into linear motion of a rod connected to the seedling tray having provision to reverse the direction of movement of tray after it reaches the extreme position at one end. Fixed fork with knock out lever type planting fingers (cranking type) are moved by a four bar linkage to give the designed locus to the tip of the planting finger. 31

33 Plate 2.8. Redlands 8 - row riding type transplanter Plate 2.9. Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter 32

34 The specification of the selected Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter is furnished in Table 2.4. Table 2.4. Specification of Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Engine Transmission Planter Model Type MF 168 FB Air cooled, Single cylinder, 4 stroke Displacement Rated Output Fuel Fuel Tank Capacity No. of Wheel Wheel 196 cc 5/1700 hp/rpm Petrol 3.5 L 2 Rubber lug wheel Ø 660 mm 2F+1R Belt tension Rotating, Steeples adjustment 2-4 cm(5 Step) mm 16,18,21 cm Wide Feeder Belt System m/s 1.78 m/s No. of Speed Main Clutch Vertical Handle Adjustment Planting Depth No. of Rows Distance Between Rows Planting Pitch Seeding Feed Mechanism Planting Speed Travel Speed on Road Dimesion Weight Overall Length Over Width Over Height Operating 2300mm 1680mm 790mm 180kg Manual 2 row transplanter It is walking backward type manually operated hand transplanter. This rice planter is ideal for small farmers. It can plant two rows with a spacing of 250 mm (Plate 2.10). The design fully comply with the growth of seedlings characteristics. Seedlings are raised by conventional method. The seedling height should be ranges from cm and roots are preferably 6 cm. It is simple in structure, convenient and durable, easy to operate and maintenance. The machine consists of a seedling plate 33

35 assembly, seedling claw fork, wooden float, chain and sprocket drive mechanism and handle. The specification of the manual 2 row transplanter is furnished in Table 2.5 Table 2.5. Specification of Manual 2 row transplanter Model YF-2 Type Double-row walking backward Row distance 250mm Planting distance adjustable Turning radius 210mm Max planting depth 65mm Max planting frequency 120 /min Shake resistance kg Moving resistance 1-2 kg Working efficiency 0.05ha/hr Weight 20kg Dimension mm The physiological costs of work of these three selected rice transplanters were compared with the traditional transplanting method ( Plate 2.11) Ergonomic evaluation of selected transplanters Heart beat rate and oxygen consumption rate are the pertinent parameters for assessing the human energy required for performing various types of operation. Heart rate measurements have a major advantage over oxygen consumption as an indicator of metabolic process. As the heart rate integrates the total stress on the body and responds more quickly to changes in work demand and indicates more readily the quick changes in body function due to changes in work environment, the physiological response was assessed through the measurement of heart rate while performing different operations. The ergonomic evaluation was carried out in the Nediyapadam Ela at Sooranad North panchayat in Kollam District. The field was well-ploughed and puddled using tractor with cage wheel and properly leveled. 34

36 Plate Manual 2 row transplanter Plate Manual transplanting 35

37 Transplanters requires well prepared mat nursery for conducting the trials. Mat nursery was prepared with the Umma variety of paddy in farmer s field ( Plate 2.12). Seedlings raised in mats can obtain a height of cm in 15 days, which is ideal for mechanical transplanting. The seedlings at an age of 15days were used for conducting the trials. Seed bed mat was cut into required width and length of the tray of transplanter and loaded in the seedling tray. The transplanter was put in proper test condition before conducting the tests. All the ten subjects were equally trained in the operation of the all the transplanters. The trials were conducted two times a day, at different time intervals i.e., before 9 am and after 11 am in order to find out the changes in energy expended and heart rate due to environmental condition. They were asked to report at the work site at 7.30 AM and have a rest for 30 minutes before starting the trial. To minimize the effects of variation, the treatments were given in randomized order. All the subjects used similar type of clothing. The subjects were given information about the experimental requirements so as to enlist their full cooperation. The heart rate was measured and recorded using heart rate monitor for the entire work period (Plate 2.13, Plate 2.14, Plate 2.15 & Plate 2.16). Each trial started with taking five minutes data for physiological responses of the subjects while resting on a stool under shade. Each trial was carried out for 30 minutes of duration and same procedure was repeated to replicate the trials for all the selected subjects Energy cost of operation From the values of heart rate (HR) observed during the trials, the corresponding values of oxygen consumption rate (VO2) of the subjects for all the selected rice transplanters and traditional method were predicted from the calibration chart of the subjects. The energy cost of operation of the selected rice transplanters were computed 36

38 Plate Views of mat nursery preparation 37

39 Plate Measurement of heart rate during operation of Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Plate Measurement of heart rate during operation of 4 row walking type transplanter 38

40 Plate Measurement of heart rate during operation of Manual 2 row transplanter Plate Measurement of heart rate during operation of Manual transplanting 39

41 by multiplying the oxygen consumed by the subject during the trial period with the calorific value of oxygen as kj l-1 (Nag et al. 1980) for all the subjects. The values of heart rate, oxygen consumption and the energy cost for all the subjects were averaged to get the mean values for all the selected rice transplanters. The energy cost of the subjects for the selected rice transplanters thus obtained was graded as per the tentative classification of strains in different types of jobs according to the young Indian males and female workers given in ICMR report (Sen, 1969) Acceptable workload (AWL) The work load should be expressed as a percentage of the individual s maximal aerobic power i.e. how much of the individual s maximal aerobic power has to be taxed in order to accomplish the work in question. Ideally, therefore, the individual maximal oxygen (O2) uptake should be determined, and the workload should be similarly assessed individually Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max) The maximum aerobic capacity also called as maximum oxygen uptake capacity or VO2 max is conceived as an international reference standard of cardiorespiratory fitness (Gite and Singh, 1997). The maximum oxygen uptake is the highest oxygen uptake attainable in the subject where a further increase in workload will not result in an increase in oxygen uptake (Rodahl, 1989). The acceptable workload (AWL) for Indian workers was the work consuming 35 per cent of VO2 max (Saha et al., 1979). To ascertain whether the selected operations are within the acceptable workload (AWL), it is necessary to compute the VO2 max for each subject. Because of the risk that is involved in testing a person on a maximal energy task, various sub maximal tests 40

42 have been advocated. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was estimated using the data on the heart rate-oxygen consumption relationship. Each subject's maximum heart rate was estimated by the following relationship (Bridger, 1995). Maximum heart rate (beats min-1) = Age in years The intersection of the computed maximum heart rate of the subjects with the plotted calibration chart line and the line of fit to the oxygen uptake defines the maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max) of the individual Limit of continuous performance (LCP) The extend to which a person may increase his work rate depends in part on how much he can increase his heart rate from resting level to his maximum level, because the increase in heart rate plays a major role in increasing the cardiac output from rest to maximal work (Rodahl, 1989). To have a meaningful comparison of physiological response, values (increase over resting values) for heart rate (work pulse) was calculated (Tiwari and Gite, 1998). Work pulse is the difference between working pulse and resting pulse. The average values of the heart rate at rest level and at working condition were used for calculating resting pulse and working pulse. For this, values (increase over resting values) for heart rate (work pulse) were calculated for each operation and compared with the limit of continuous performance (LCP) values of 40 beats min-1 ( Vidhu, 2001) Subjective rating scales Subjective self reported estimates of effort expenditure might be quantified using rating of perceived exertion. The discomfort ratings were carried out in all the selected operations. The subject was allowed to take rest for a period of half an hour prior to the test. Assessment of postural discomfort includes overall discomfort rating (ODR) and body part discomfort score (BPDS). Overall safety rating (OSR) and 41

43 Overall Ease of Operation Rating (OER) was also assessed for each selected transplanter Overall discomfort rating (ODR) For the assessment of overall discomfort rating a 10 - point psychophysical rating scale (0 - no discomfort, 10 - extreme discomfort) was used which is an adoption of Corlett and Bishop (1976) technique. A scale of 70 cm length was fabricated having 0 to 10 digits marked on it equidistantly (Fig.2.1). A moveable pointer was provided to indicate the rating. At the ends of each trial subjects were asked to indicate their overall discomfort rating on the scale. The overall discomfort ratings given by each of the ten subjects are added and averaged to get the mean rating. Fig.2.1. Visual analogue discomfort scale for assessment of overall body discomfort Body part discomfort score (BPDS) To measure localized discomfort, Corlett and Bishop (1976) technique was used. In this technique the subject's body is divided into 27 regions as shown in Fig.2.2. A body mapping similar to that of Fig.2.2 was made with thermo coal to have meaningful rating of the perceived exertion of the subject. The subject was asked to mention all body parts with discomfort, starting with the worst, the second worst and so 42

44 on until all parts have been mentioned. The subject was asked to fix the pin on the body part in the order of one pin for maximum pain, two pins for next maximum pain and so on. The number of different groups of body parts which are identified from extreme discomfort to no discomfort represented the number of intensity levels of pain experienced. Each separately reported group can be seen as being separated by a real Fig.2.2 Regions for evaluating body part discomfort score recognizable difference in the level of discomfort. The maximum number of intensity levels of pain experienced under selected rice farming operations was 6 categories. The rating was assigned to these categories in an arithmetic order, viz., first category (body 43

45 parts experiencing maximum pain) rating was allotted as 6 and for second category (body parts experiencing next maximum pain) rating was allotted as 5 and so on, for the sixth category (body parts experiencing least pain) rating was allotted as 1. It was found that the number of intensity levels of pain experienced by different subjects might vary. For example, if one subject has experienced 4 categories, first category (body parts experiencing maximum pain) rating was allotted as 6 and for second category (body parts experiencing next maximum pain) rating was allotted as 4.5 and so on for the fourth category (body parts experiencing least pain) rating was allotted as 1.5. The body part discomfort score of each subject was the rating multiplied by the number of body parts corresponding to each category. The total body part score for a subject was the sum of all individual scores of the body parts assigned by the subject. The body discomfort score of all the subjects is added and averaged to get mean score Overall safety rating (OSR) For the assessment of safety rating, a 10 - point psychophysical rating scale (0 completely secure and no fear, 10 totally insecure and extreme fear) was used. A scale of 70 cm length was fabricated having 0 to 10 digits marked on it equidistantly. A moveable pointer was provided to indicate the rating. At the end of each trial, subjects were asked to indicate their safety rating on the scale. The overall safety ratings given by each of the ten subjects were added and averaged to get the mean rating Overall Ease of Operation Rating (OER) For the assessment of ease of operation, a 10 - point psychophysical rating scale (0 very easy, 10 extremely difficult) was used. A scale of 70 cm length was fabricated having 0 to 10 digits marked on it equidistantly. A moveable pointer was provided to indicate the rating. At the end of each trial, subjects were asked to indicate their ease of operation rating on the scale. The overall ease of operation ratings given 44

46 by each of the ten subjects were added and averaged to get the mean rating. The scale for OSR and OER are given in Table 2.6. Table 2.6. Scale for OSR and OER Levels OSR Completely secure and no fear OER Very easy Secure and meagre fear Easy Moderately secure and less fear Less difficulty Slightly secure and moderate fear Difficult to operate Insecure and more fear Very difficult Totally insecure and extreme fear Extremely difficult Work rest cycle During every strenuous work in field, adequate rest is required to have an optimum work output. Better performance results can be expected from the operator only when proper attention is given for the work rest schedule for different operations. The actual rest time taken for each subject in all the selected equipment was found from the heart rate response of respective operations. The rest time was measured from the cease of the operation till the heart rate of the subject reaches resting level. The rest time taken was averaged to arrive at the mean value for each selected implement. The rest pause for each of the operation conducted in the present study with the selected rice transplanters was calculated theoretically using the Pheasant (1991) equation Where R = Resting time (min) 45

47 T = Total working time day-1 (min) E = Energy expenditure during working task (kcal min-1) A = Average level of energy expenditure considered acceptable (kcal min-1) B = Energy expenditure during rest (kcal min-1) The ceiling for energy expenditure standard taken for the calculation was 4 kcal min-1(murrel,1965). Rest pause was calculated using the above formula as all the subjects operated continuously for 30 min period for all the selected rice transplanters Heat stress To study the impact of environmental condition on physiological parameters, the environmental stress (heat stress) was measured. Thermometer readings alone cannot measure the risk of heat stress disorder. Factors such as air temperature, humidity, air flow and radiant heat must be taken into account. For this the thermal index known as the wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT) was taken into account. Globe temperature (GT) was measured by using a globe thermometer and dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures (WB and DB) using dry and wet bulb thermometers. The specification of Globe thermometer is shown in Table 2.7. Table 2.7 Specification of Globe thermometer Sl. No. Details Specifications 1 Make and model NOVALYNX, model Dimensions, mm 400 x 150 x Weight, Kg Measuring Range 0 0 to C 5 Graduations 0.5 0C Size : Themometer 6" dia 16" H : Mounting Stand 22" H 46

48 Globe thermometer consists of a 6-inch diameter hollow copper sphere which was painted with a matte black paint to absorb the radiant heat from surrounding objects. After a time lag, the temperature at the centre of the sphere is a measure of the radiant heat. A thermometer inserted through a rubber stopper indicates this temperature. The hollow copper sphere supports a chemical thermometer sheathed in a brass protective case with the thermometer bulb at the centre for stem-emergent errors. The globe temperature, dry and wet bulb temperatures were measured while performing the different selected operations at different time intervals i.e., before 9 am and after 11 am. The thermal index known as the wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT) was calculated by using the equation shown below for all selected operations. WBGT = 0.7 WB+ 0.2 GT+ 0.1 DB 47

49 CHAPTER III RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Extent of adoption of farm equipments in rice production Most of the farmers do not have their own tractors, power tillers and other farm machinery equipments. They hired these machines for their own use on payment basis. Table 3.1 shows the usage of equipments by the farmers of the study region. At present, tillage operations in rice cultivation are mechanized with the help of tractor and power tillers. About 81 per cent of farmers used power tiller for land preparation followed by 70 per cent farmers used tractor for the above purpose. However, other labour-intensive operation such as weeding is performed manually. Study shows that transplanting and harvesting operations are mechanized to some extend with the help of transplanter and harvester. About 48 per cent of farmers used self propelled reaper for harvesting rice crops followed by 30 per cent farmers used transplanter for transplanting paddy seedlings. Commercial rice combines are yet to be adopted in the farms of the district mainly due to their high investment cost and sophisticated technology for operation and maintenance. Table 3.1. Usage of equipment for rice cultivation Activity Own Hire Use per cent per cent per cent Indigenous plough Tractor Power tiller Sowing Transplanter Harvesting Harvester Land preparation Equipment 48

50 Threshing Mini thresher Large scale adoption of this kind of machines in rice-farming is possible only through Government support to co-operative groups of farmers to make them economically viable and to enable farmers to meet local requirements. The study shows that sprayer is the major equipment used by the farmers. Among these, hand sprayer is widely used followed by hand compression sprayer, rocker sprayer and knapsack sprayer ( Table 3.2). Around 81 per cent of farmers were using hand sprayer followed by hand compression sprayer (82.68 per cent), rocker sprayer (71.56 per cent) and Knapsack sprayer (2.35 per cent). Table 3.2. Usage of sprayer Type Sprayer Own ( per cent) Hire (per cent) Use (per cent) Hand Compression Knapsack Sprayer Rocker Sprayer Hand Sprayer Sprayer Attitude towards farm mechanization Farm machinery/equipments play an important role in performing difficult operations as strongly perceived by per cent of farmers. Most of the farmers strongly felt that use of appropriate farm machinery/equipments will reduce the labour requirement. About per cent of farmers strongly felt that use of appropriate farm machinery/equipments will reduce the labour requirement and it is agreed by per cent of farmers (Table 3.3). Timeliness in operation is one of the advantages in using farm machinery/equipments in the field. It is more helpful especially during peak season. About per cent farmers responded that use of appropriate farm machinery/equipments will reduce the time for completing the work. Farm 49

51 mechanization resulted in the reduction of drudgery as strongly agreed by per cent of farmers and agreed by per cent of farmers. About per cent farmers strongly felt that application of farm machinery causes increased economic return to them. Around per cent of farmers strongly agreed that farm mechanization results improved dignity to them and per cent agreed to this statement. Around per cent of farmers strongly felt that farm mechanization increases the production and per cent of farmers strongly felt that farm mechanization increases job opportunity. Table.3.3. Attitude towards farm mechanization Sl.No: Statements Attitude (per cent) Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree 1 Increased production Timeliness in operation Reduction of labour requirement Increased economic return Reduction of drudgery Less employment Increased job opportunity Performing difficult operation Improved dignity Constraints for non adoption of farm implements/ machinery The major constraint strongly felt by the farmers (86.72 per cent) was delay in getting loan (Table 3.4). This was agreed by per cent of farmers. Around per cent of farmers strongly agreed that lack of trained man power is one of the major constraints for non adoption of farm implements/ machinery. Around per cent of farmers strongly agreed that lack of investing capacity limits the purchase and adoption 50

52 of new equipments. Lack of spare parts availability also limits the purchase and adoption of new equipments as strongly perceived by per cent of farmers. Around per cent of farmers opined that high cost of machines is one of the major limiting factors for non adoption of appropriate farm machinery/ implements. Around per cent of farmers strongly agreed that high interest of loan is also a constraint for use of machinery. Around per cent of farmers strongly felt that lack of access to the field is also a constraint for use of machinery. This was agreed by per cent of farmers. Size of the land holding was also a major constraint for using the machinery. Around per cent of farmers strongly felt that small holding size of their land limits the use of machinery. Table Constraints for non adoption of farm implements/ machinery Sl.No : Constraints Opinion (per cent) Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly agree disagree Less investing capacity Lack of technical knowledge Small land holdings Lack of access to the field Non availability of electricity Fear of unemployment Lack of loan facility Lack of knowledge of loan from Govt Lack of knowledge about equipments Lack of repair and servicing facility Lack of spare parts availability Delay in getting loan High interest of loan High cost of machines Lack of trained manpower About per cent of farmers strongly opined that loan was not available for most of the farm machinery and it was agreed by per cent of farmers. Around per cent of farmers strongly agreed that lack of knowledge of loan from 51

53 government was also a constraint for non adoption of appropriate farm machinery/ implements. Lack of knowledge of new farm machinery/ equipments is also a constraint for non adoption as strongly perceived by per cent of farmers and it was agreed by per cent of farmers. Lack of repair and servicing facility are also limits the purchase and adoption of new equipments as strongly perceived by per cent of farmers and agreed by per cent of farmers Constraints in using equipments Farmers experienced body discomfort during tractor operation. Breathing problems due to dust in tractor driving is also reported by the farmers. Farmers felt difficulties in using power tiller. Sinking of the power tiller in the field is also a serious problem faced by the farmers. They suggested for improving the starting system of power tiller. Now a days various private companies are introducing Battery operated power tiller. It can be purchased and tested. Breakage of blades while tilling in hard and stony field hinders the operation many times. The farmers also faced difficulty in getting the spare parts of power tiller. The weight of the manual paddy thresher is more and also it has no handles for carrying the unit to the field. Hence they find difficulty in transporting the mini thresher to the field. The speed of the drum cannot be controlled and the paddy seeds spills out at a farther distance and this causes wastage of seeds. Long paddy crop also gets wrapped around the drum. Skin diseases due to application of chemicals, leaking of nozzles, and frequent replacement of washers and repair of piston in hand compression sprayer are the difficulties faced by the farmers while spraying the pesticides. The spare parts such as rubber belt and metal rope of coconut climber are broken down some times. A frequent break down of belt of garden tiller is reported by the farmers. Transplanting arms of the transplanter is also replaced frequently. Nylon wire is also frequently broken down while cutting weeds by brush cutter. Farmers are 52

54 suggested that farm machineries should be given in subsidiary rate for them and tool box and first aid box should be compulsory provided with equipments. Awareness programmes on feasibility of farm mechanization and the impact of farm mechanization in enhancing production and productivity have to be conducted for the farming community through print as well as electronic media and through mass contact programmes through Panchayat and Agriculture Dept and demonstration of different equipments/ farm machinery are needed for popularizing the use of appropriate farm machinery/equipments. 3.2 Extent of work load in rice farming operations A survey among women labourers engaged in rice farming was also conducted to assess the drudgery involved in rice farming operations. Most of the operations in rice cultivation are being done by the female labourers such as sowing the seeds, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, threshing and winnowing. Among these operations, weeding was the operation which involved maximum drudgery (Table 3.5). Table 3.5. Pain in different parts of body due to weeding operation Sl.No. Parts of body Per cent expressed pain 1 Back Waist Shoulder Hands About per cent of women farmers suffered from back pain while per cent of farmers suffered from waist pain followed by pain in hands (77.25 per cent) and shoulder pain (68.33 per cent) during weeding operation. In hand weeding the subjects were bending over work surfaces for targets which are too low. It may be 53

55 suggested that pain rather than capacity may often be the limiting factor in such task situations. Rice transplanting caused back and waist pain as strongly perceived by the women labourers (Table 3.6). Around per cent of women labourers felt back pain followed by waist pain (80.36 per cent), pain in hands (75.89 per cent) and shoulder pain (65.30 per cent). While transplanting, the women labourers takes a tedious bending posture. In the distorted posture, the muscles have to contract unnecessarily for holding the body erect. Such postures may also affect the pulmonary ventilation rate and increase the respiration frequencies to expel out the extra carbon dioxide produced in the tissues by increased metabolic rate. Ojha and Kwatra, 2014 reported that during transplanting the workers adopt strongly bent posture in the muddy field for a long time. All the tasks of rice cultivation are repetitive in nature. Repetitive may be related to MSD. The workers change their posture very frequently and suffered from musculoskeletal disorder during performing their jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) have become a major problem in rice transplanting in India. Table 3.6. Pain in different parts of body due to rice transplanting Sl.No. Parts of body Per cent expressed pain 1 Back Waist Shoulder Hands Women farmers harvesting the crops with sickle in bending posture. Working in a bending posture increased the lordative curve of the spine, thus put more strain on the back muscles. Other major problems expressed by the workers included, muscular fatigue due to lifting of crop for threshing and breathing problems due to dust while threshing 54

56 , eye/skin irritation due to pesticide application. About per cent farmers reported muscle pain (Table 3.7) while threshing followed by per cent felt breathing problem due to dust. Table 3.7. Pain in different parts of body due to threshing Sl.No. Parts of body Per cent expressed pain 1 Muscle pain Breathing problem due to dust Around per cent of farmers expressed skin irritation due to pesticide application and per cent of farmers ( Table 3.8) felt eye irritation followed by dizziness (20.17 per cent). It was observed that most of the body pain in agricultural operations was due to postural discomfort which may restrict the duration of work. It was observed that majority of the pesticide applicators did not use any protective wears ie apron, goggles, face mask, gloves. One of the problems in using the protective wears is the discomfort experienced by the workers due to these wears. Most of the agricultural operations are done in open under sun or rain. During these operations, many times the workers are subjected to extreme heat in summer season. During rainy season a worker gets completely wet while doing operations like transplanting. Table 3.8. Drudgery/ health hazard involved in spraying operation Sl.No. Parts of body Per cent response 1 Skin irritation Eye irritation Dizziness Bitterness in mouth 0 55

57 3.3 Training programmes A collection of machineries for rice cultivation like cultivator, rotovator, power tiller with cage wheels, self propelled rice transplanter, direct paddy seeder, rotary weeder, power sprayer, harvester, mini thresher, Paddy thresher cum winnower etc. were available at FSRS, Sadanandapuram for conducting comprehensive trainings in rice mechanisation to bridge the gap of lack of agricultural labour trained in the proper use of agro machinery and thereby provide an avenue for self employment to the target group of youth, farmers, labourers and women. Training programmes in different aspects like their operation, repair, service and maintenance of rice farming equipments such as paddy drum seeder, rotary weeder, cono weeder, manually operated transplanter, self propelled rice transplanter, power reaper, power tiller have been conducted as part of the programme. Progressive farmers, labourers, youth, women etc. make use of this training facility for getting thoroughly trained in the use of agro machinery. Plate 3.1 shows some of the views of the training programmes conducted as part of the project. 3.4 Analysis of anthropometric data and selection of subjects Different statistical methods can be used in anthropometric studies. The choice of the statistical method depends to a great extent upon the nature of data and the purpose of which they are collected and presented. Table 3.9 shows the estimates of the range, mean, standard deviation and percentile values (5th, 50th and 95th) of anthropometric dimensions. The relative high standard deviation, in general, shows the diversity in body dimensions of the subjects. Slight variations are there between mean value and 50th percentile value. For design purposes, either one of the boundary values (5th or 95th percentile) or the mean value is used depending upon the dimensional element. 56

58 Plate 3.1. Views of training programmes on farm machinery 57

59 Table 3.9. Analysis of anthropometric dimensions of women labourers Sl Measurement Range mean SD No: 1 Body Weight, Kg 2 Stature 3 Vertical reach 4 5 Vertical grip reach Eye height 6 Acromial height 7 Elbow height 8 Olecranon height 9 Illiocrystale heght 10 Illiospinale height 11 Trochanteric height Metacarpal III height Knee height Arm reach from the wall Thump tip reach Shoulder grip length Elbow grip length 19 Biacromial breadth Bideltoid breadth 20 Waist breadth 21 Hip breadth 22 Wrist Circumference Grip diameter (Inside) Maximum grip length Coronoid fossa to hand length Forearm hand length Percentile 5th 50th 95th

60 27 Hand length 28 Palm length Hand breadth across thumb Hand breadth 31 Foot length 32 Foot breadth 33 Functional leg length Hand Grip strength ( Right) Hand Grip strength ( Left) (Unit: cm unless otherwise specified) Mean age of total population was 34.8 ± years. Mean stature and body weight were ± 6.35 cm and ± kg respectively. From the table, the wide variations were seen in most of the body dimension of the subjects. For example, stature of the female subjects varied from 141 to 184 cm with mean value of cm. This wide variation in the body dimension of the subjects was reflected in the high standard deviation of the body dimensions. Also this wide variation is helpful in designing of agricultural devices by taking 5th and 95th percentiles. Handle diameter of the tools should be selected in such a way to ensure that the operator s longest finger does not touch her palm while gripping the handle. At the same time it should not exceed the internal grip diameter (Parik, 1980 & Philip and Tewari, 2000). The internal grip diameter for 5th percentile of women labourers is 3.81 cm under this study. For manual rice transplanter and self propelled 4 row walking type transplanter, the handle is one of the most important components with which the operator controls and guides the implement properly during transplanting operations. If the height is too low, the operator has to bend excessively which strains the operator. If the height is greater, the maneuverability of the implement is affected and operation 59

61 will not be proper. The elbow height (standing) data is helpful for designing proper handle height. Ten subjects conforming to the statistical requirements were selected for the study so that the selected subjects are a true representative with respect to anthropometric dimensions. The details of the selected subjects were furnished in table Table Details of the subjects selected for the study Subjects Age, years BMI, kg m-2 Total Body fat, kg Body mass, kg The age of the selected subjects varied from 32 to 40 years since the maximum percentage of work could be expected from 20 to 40 years (Ardle et al. 2001). The body mass index score of selected subjects was within the normal range and varied from 20 to kg m-2. As per BMI score, the selected subjects have good health status (Garrow, 1987). 3.5 Medical fitness The results of the medical and bioclinical analysis are shown in Table It is observed that all the ten subjects had normal ECG results. The values of blood 60

62 pressure, pulse rate, blood test results and urine test results were within the normal range. This is indicative of the fact that the ten subjects have normal health and medically fit for the investigation. 3.6 Calibration of subjects All the ten subjects were calibrated in the laboratory condition by indirect assessment of oxygen uptake. The subjects were calibrated in the laboratory by measuring oxygen consumption of the subjects using Benedict -Roth spirometer while pedaling a standard bicycle ergometer and the corresponding heart rate using polar heart rate monitor at submaximal loads to arrive the relationship between the heart rate and oxygen consumption Basal Metabolic Rate The computed values of basal metabolic rate of the subjects are furnished in Table

63 Table Results of medical and bio- clinical investigations Sl.No. Investigation Permissibl e I II value 1 Electro cardio graph Nor Nor Mal mal 2 Blood pressure, mm of Hg 120/80 120/90 110/80 3 Pulse rate, beats/min Blood test i.hemoglobin (gm%) ii.blood Sugar ( R ) (mg/dl) iii.blood Urea (mg/dl) ivesr (mm/hr) v.serum cholesterol (mgs %) vi.blood Group A O vii.rh factor + ve + ve 5 Urine Test i.albumin ii.sugar iii.appearance Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear III IV Subjects V V1 Nor mal 120/ Nor mal 125/90 78 Nor mal 120/80 77 Nor mal 130/85 77 V11 V111 1X X Nor mal 120/90 74 Nor mal 120/85 78 Nor Nor mal mal 125/95 130/ O + ve 150 O + ve 176 O + ve 196 O + ve 189 O + ve 173 A + ve 198 A + ve 202 A + ve Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear Nil Nil Clear 62

64 Table Basal metabolic rate of selected subjects Sl.No. Subjects Basic metabolic rate, kcal day-1 1 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX 10 X It is observed from the table that the basal metabolic rate of the subjects varied from 1701 to 2504 kcal day 1. a. Computation of BMR (for subject I) Age of the subject, years = 32 Weight of subject, kg = 38 Height of subject, m = 1.41 Room temperature (T2), K = 303 Room pressure (P2), bars = 0.99 for a period of 6 min (V2), cc = 1700 Standard temperature (T1), K = 273 Standard pressure (P1), bars = = PV T Oxygen consumption Oxygen consumed under standard temperature and pressure, l T P

65 Energy produced in 6 min, kcal Energy per day, kcal Basal Metabolic Rate, kcal day -1 = 0.99 x x x = = = 7.09 Kcal = 7.09 x 60 x = Calibration Chart A calibration chart was prepared with heart rate as the ordinate and the oxygen uptake as the abscissa for the selected ten subjects. The calibration chart is presented in Fig.3.1a & 3.1 b. It is observed that the relationship between the heart rate and oxygen consumption of the subjects was found to be linear for all the subjects, which is in close agreement with the results reported by Kroemer and Grandjean, 2000 and Vidhu (2001). This linear relationship defers from one individual to another due to physiological differences of individuals (Kroemer et al., 2000). The relationship between the two parameters oxygen consumption (Y) and heart rate (X) was expressed by the following linear equations. For subject I, Y= Y=0.014X (R2 = 0.988) --- (1) For subject II, Y= X (R2 = 0.958) --- (2) For subject III, Y= X (R2 = 0.987) --- (3) For subject IV, Y= X (R2 = 0.984) --- (4) 64

66 Fig.3.1a. Relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate of (1-5) subjects Fig.3.1b. Relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate of (6-10) subjects 65

67 For subject V, Y = 0.016X (R2 = 0.999) -- (5) For subject VI, Y = X (R2 = 0.965) --- (6) Y = X (R2 = 0.982) ---(7) For subject VIII, Y = X (R2 = 0.994) ---(8) For subject IX, Y = X (R2 = 0.992) ---(9) For subject X, Y = X (R2 = 0.994) ---(10) Y = Oxygen consumption, l min-1 X = Heart rate, beats min-1 For subject VII, Where, It is observed that R2 value (coefficient of determination) was very high for all the subjects which indicated that a good fit was arrived between oxygen consumption and heart rate. The variation in oxygen consumption was accounted by per cent by the heart rate for subject I, per cent for subject II, per cent for subject III, per cent for subject IV, per cent for subject V, per cent for subject VI, per cent for subject VII, per cent for subject VIII, per cent for subject IX and per cent for subject X respectively. 3.7 Energy cost of selected rice transplanters The energy expenditure was worked out for selected rice transplanters and traditional method for all the subjects based on the mean heart rate and predicted oxygen consumption. Statistical analysis was carried out to study the effects of three selected rice transplanters, different time intervals and their interaction effect on subjects heart rate and energy expenditure. The data collected were analyzed statistically as 2x3 factorial experiments. IBM SPSS 24.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the general 66

68 linear model (GLM) procedure from IBM SPSS 24.0 software. Multivariate test with POST-HOC (BUTKEY) analysis was used to compare the significant differences among mean of the treatments at 5 per cent level of probability and relationship between subgroups of sampled data. The results are presented below. The mean heart rate and energy cost of selected transplanters is furnished in Table Table Mean heart rate and energy cost of selected transplanters Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations Average heart Energy cost rate (kj min-1) ( beats min-1) 1 Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter a 17.36a 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter b 21.79b 3 Manual 2 row transplanter c 26.39c 4 Manual Transplanting d 28.49d (In column, mean values followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P=0.05 according to Post hoc tests) The results of the study showed that selected transplanters significantly influenced the heart rate and energy cost. There was significant difference in heart rate and energy cost in the operation of different models of transplanters and traditional method of transplanting. Minimum heart rate was observed in Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter while maximum heart rate was observed in traditional method of transplanting, the increase being 34 per cent. The energy cost was also maximum in traditional method of transplanting. Ojha and Kwatra, 2012 reported that manual transplanting is tedious, tiresome and labor consuming, because a person has to stand in puddle field and bend for hours for putting seedling into the soil by hand. While manual transplanting, the women labourers takes a tedious bending posture. In the distorted posture, the muscles have to contract unnecessarily for holding the body erect. Such postures may also affect the pulmonary ventilation rate and increase the 67

69 respiration frequencies to expel out the extra carbon dioxide produced in the tissues by increased metabolic rate. The increase in energy cost while operating Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter was 13 per cent when compared to Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter. As Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter was provided with a seating attachment, the operator can comfortably sit and ride the transplanter with out much drudgery. But in walking type Mahindra 4 row transplanter, the subjects have to walk during the entire period of operation. It is observed that operating the Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter saved the human energy requirement to the tune of 12 per cent. The heart rate observed in manual 2 row transplanter was beats min -1. These values nearly conformed to the results of other investigations where value was beats min-1 (Vivek et al. (2014)). In manual 2 row transplanter, the energy expenditure was increased to the tune of 28 per cent when compared to Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter and 13 per cent when compared to Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Energy cost as influenced by time of operation The effect of time of operation on mean heart rate and energy cost of selected transplanters is furnished in Table Table Heart rate and energy cost as influenced by time of operation Time of operation Average heart Energy cost, (kj min-1) rate ( beats min-1) Before 9 am a 19.97a After 11 am b 27.04b (In column, mean values followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P=0.05 according to Post hoc tests) The results reveals that time of operation was significantly influenced the heart rate and energy expenditure. It is further noticed that the average heart rate before 9 am was 68

70 beats min-1 while after 11 am it was increased to beats min-1. The variation may be attributed to the effect of environment on the subject since the heart rate integrates the total stress on the body and responds more quickly to changes in work demand and indicates more readily the quick changes in body function due to changes in work environment. Energy cost was recorded significantly higher in operating the transplanters after 11 am than before 9 am operation. Human energy expenditure was increased to the tune of 35 per cent after 11 am than before 9 am operation. An increase with time was observed in energy expenditure due to high environmental stress (high temperature and solar radiation) among the operators Variation of heart rate and energy cost with subjects Variation of heart rate and energy cost of female subjects for selected rice transplanters and for traditional method were statistically analyzed at 5 per cent level of significance and were given in the Tables 3.15 and 3.16 respectively. A significant difference in heart rate was noticed in all selected rice transplanters for all the subjects. It was seen that subjects shows minimum heart rate for Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter followed by Mahindra 4 row walking type and Manual 2 row transplanters. The maximum heart rate was significantly higher in conventional method of transplanting. In the case of subjects 1, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10, a significant difference was observed in selected transplanters and traditional method. However, for subjects 4, 5, 6 and 8, no significant difference was noticed between manual 2 row transplanter and traditional method. The minimum heart rate of Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter was beats min-1 and it was noticed in subject 1. While maximum heart rate of Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter was noticed in subject 9 with a value of beats min-1. In case of traditional method, the minimum heart rate 69

71 observed to be beats min-1 in subject 4 and maximum heart rate beats min-1 in subject 2. The results of the study showed that a significant difference of energy cost was observed in all selected rice transplanters for all the subjects except subject 4, 5, 8 and 10. The energy cost of Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter significantly shows lowest value compared to the traditional method. The minimum energy cost of Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter recorded was kj min-1 in subject 7 where as maximum value of kj min-1 was noticed in subject 9. In the case of traditional method, the minimum energy cost was noticed kj min-1 in subject 7 and maximum energy cost was kj min-1 in subject 9. In the case of subject 1, the minimum energy cost was kj min-1 for Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter and maximum observed to be kj min-1 in traditional method. The energy expenditure of traditional method was increased to the tune of 90 per cent when compared to energy expenditure of Redlands transplanter. In the case of Mahindra 4 row walking type rice transplanter, the energy cost was kj min-1 for subject 1. It was increased by 24 per cent when compared to energy cost of Redlands self-propelled rice transplanter. The energy cost of Manual 2 row transplanter was kj min-1 for subject 1 and it was increased by 72 per cent compared to energy cost of Redlands rice transplanter. A similar trend was observed in selected rice transplanters for all subjects. It was observed that energy expenditure rate varies among the subjects for the same implement under the similar conditions and it might be due to the variation of strength, physiological differences and skill level of the subjects. 70

72 Tables Variation of heart rate of female workers for selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanters Sub1 Sub 2 Sub 3 Sub 4 Sub 5 Sub 6 Sub 7 Sub 8 Sub 9 Sub 10 1 Redlands 8 row riding type a a a a a a a a a a 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type b b b b b b b b b b 3 Manual 2 row transplanter c c c c c c c c c c 4 Manual Transplanting d d d c c c d c d c (In column, mean values followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P=0.05 according to Post hoc tests) Tables Variation of energy cost of female workers for selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanters Sub1 Sub 2 Sub 3 Sub 4 Sub 5 Sub 6 Sub 7 Sub 8 Sub 9 Sub 10 1 Redlands 8 row riding type 13.50a 17.95a 16.15a 16.88a 18.82a 19.95a 12.68a 19.43a 23.22a 15.05a 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type 16.75b 20.85b 20.37b 20.45b 24.45b 24.92b 15.83b 26.13b 27.15b 21.05b 3 Manual 2 row transplanter 23.17c 25.63c 25.20c 24.67c 29.13c 31.48c 18.18c 30.52c 31.28c 24.40c 4 Manual Transplanting 25.77d 29.45d 28.90d 25.90c 31.45c 32.25c 20.90d 31.47c 34.38d 24.65c (In column, mean values followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at P=0.05 according to Post hoc tests) 71

73 3.8 Grading of work The energy cost of the selected transplanters thus obtained was graded as per the tentative classification of strains in different types of jobs given in ICMR report as shown in Table 3.17 (Sen, 1969 and Vidhu, 2001). Sen (1969) classified the manual jobs based on the physiological responses of young Indian female workers. Table Tentative Classification of workload for female subjects Physiological workload Physiological response Heart rate Energy expenditure,(kcal (beats min-1) min-1 ) Very light < 90 < 5.0 Light Moderately heavy Heavy Very heavy Extremely heavy >150 >15 The results are presented in Table Table Grading of work for transplanting operations Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations Grading of work 1 Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Moderately Heavy 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Heavy 3 Manual 2 row transplanter Very Heavy 4 Manual Transplanting Very Heavy It is observed from the table that grade of work was Moderately Heavy in 8 row riding type transplanter while it was Heavy for 4 row walking type transplanter and Very Heavy for manual 2 row transplanter and manual transplanting. In traditional method of transplanting, female subjects takes a tedious bending posture. In the distorted posture, the muscles have to contact unnecessarily for holding the body erect. Such postures may also affect the pulmonary ventilation rate and increase the 72

74 respiration frequencies to expel out the extra carbon dioxide produced in the tissues by increased metabolic rate. The major portion of energy expended is consumed in bending and walking in the puddle field. In the case of Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter, the subjects have to walk in the muddy field during the entire period of operation. The workers had to spend more energy for taking out their legs out of the puddle field at each and every step. However in Red lands transplanter, an operator s seat is provided to comfortably sit and ride the transplanter. In the case of Redlands transplanter, the self-starter of transplanter made the operation very easy and synthetic fibre float also helps for easy moment in the field while compared to Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter. 3.9 Acceptable work load The acceptable workload (AWL) for Indian workers was the work consuming 35 per cent of VO2 max (Saha et al., 1979) Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) The VO2 max for the subjects was computed from the calibration chart and the values are furnished in Table Table VO2 max for selected subjects Subjects Maximum heart rate (beats min-1) Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max), l min-1 I II III IV V VI VII VIII XI X Mean

75 The maximum aerobic capacity of the selected ten subjects varied from to min-1. Individual differences in the value of the maximum VO2 max is due to the differences in the ability to supply oxygen to the muscles and also due to genetic factors. The mean oxygen uptake in terms of maximum aerobic capacity of all operating conditions was calculated and presented in Table Table Oxygen uptake in terms of VO2 max in transplanting operation Selected transplanting operations Mean VO2-1 l min Oxygen AWL uptake in (35 per terms of cent of VO2 VO2 Max max) (per cent) Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter AWL Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter > AWL Manual 2 row transplanter > AWL Manual Transplanting > AWL The oxygen consumption in terms of VO2 max was minimum while operating Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter and it was within the acceptable limit. It is observed that all the values were much higher than that of the AWL limits of 35 per cent indicating that other selected operations could not be operated continuously for 8 hours without frequent rest-pauses Limit of continuous performance (LCP) The increase in physiological responses over resting values of heart rate ( HR) i.e. work pulse ( HR) of all the selected operations were calculated and were given in the Table The work pulse values were well above the limit of continuous performance of 40 beats min-1 in all operating conditions. 74

76 Table Work pulse in transplanting operation Selected transplanting operations Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Work pulse (Δ HR), LCP -1 beats min (40 beats min-1) <LCP Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter >LCP Manual 2 row transplanter >LCP Manual Transplanting >LCP It is seen that work pulse observed in Redlands rice transplanter was beats min-1 which was less than 40 beats min-1 indicated that workers can operate the transplanter with less frequent rest pauses. However, the work pulse values were well above the limit of continuous performance of 40 beats min-1 in all other operations, which indicates that subjects could not do the operations continuously for 8-h duration. The maximum work pulse was observed to be beats min-1 while doing traditional transplanting and the minimum value of work pulse was for Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Subjective rating scales Ergonomic evaluation of the three selected rice transplanters including manual transplanting was done and each subject were asked to rate those models according to ease of operation, comfort ability, safety and pain of body parts. The data were averaged for getting mean score of each model Overall discomfort rating (ODR) The mean overall discomfort scores rated by ten subjects during operation of transplanters are furnished in Table The overall discomfort rating varied from 3.0 to 7.9 and scaled as Light discomfort" to "More than moderate discomfort". In general the ODR values were lower for transplanting with 8 row riding type transplanter. The lower values of ODR were 75

77 confirmative of the earlier result that the use of seat in Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter reduced the discomfort due to bending posture. In many situations, though the work may be well within the physiological limits, the body discomfort may restrict the duration of work depending upon the static load component involved in it. Table Overall discomfort rating of subjects during selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter ODR (Mean value) Scale Light discomfort Mahindra 4 row walking type 5.2 Moderate discomfort transplanter 3 Manual 2 row transplanter 7.2 More than moderate discomfort 4 Manual Transplanting 7.9 More than moderate discomfort Body part discomfort score (BPDS) The body discomfort score of selected operations are shown in Table It is observed that the pattern of regional discomfort varied with different operating conditions. The majority of discomfort was experienced in the mid back, lower back, buttocks, left thigh, right thigh, left leg and right leg region for all the subjects during manual operation. However the majority of discomfort was experienced in left shoulder, right shoulder, left fore arm, right fore arm, left leg and right leg for all the subjects during machine operation. Results showed that the intensity of pain experienced by the subjects was more in manual operation compared to machine operation. The BPDS value was maximum with a value of in transplanting manually, where as it was minimum in transplanting with Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter (20.15). This is further confirmative of earlier result arrived that the seating attachment eliminates the drudgery due to walking behind the transplanter. 76

78 Table Body part discomfort score (BPDS) of the subjects for selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations BPDS ( Mean value) 1 Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter Manual 2 row transplanter Manual Transplanting Overall Safety Rating (OSR) The mean overall safety rated by ten subjects during operation of transplanters is furnished in Table Table Overall Safety rating of selected operations Sl.No.Selected transplanting operations 1 OSR Scale (Mean value) Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter 2.9 >Secure and meager fear 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter 3 >Secure and meager fear 3 Manual 2 row transplanter 3.5 >Secure and meager fear 4 Manual Transplanting 1.4 > Completely secure and no fear It was seen that the three models of transplanters were comparatively safe for operation. The safety score was minimum for manual transplanting and maximum for operating with Manual 2 row transplanter Overall Ease of Operation Rating (OER) The mean overall ease of operation rated by ten subjects during operation of transplanters are furnished in Table The result showed that Manual 2 row transplanter was found difficult to operate compared with other transplanters with a score of 4.8. In the case of Redlands 8 row 77

79 riding type transplanter and Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter model, the rating on ease was comparatively less with scores of 2.7 and 3.2 respectively Table Overall Ease of Operation rating of selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations Scale Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter OER (Mean value) Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter 3.2 > Easy 3 Manual 2 row transplanter 4.8 >Less difficulty 4 Manual Transplanting 1 >Very easy > Easy Work rest cycle The rest pause of the subjects for the selected rice transplanters was calculated as explained in section The calculated rest pause was compared with the actual time taken by the subjects in the field to reach the heart rate to resting level. It is observed that the average actual rest time taken by the subjects for the selected rice transplanters and traditional method were in close agreement with the computed value of rest time. The work rest cycle for achieving functional effectiveness of the selected transplanters and for maintaining or enhancing the human comfort were arrived and detailed in table The rest pause, for achieving functional effectiveness during transplanting the paddy by Redlands 8 row riding type rice transplanter, was found to be 2 minutes followed by 30 minutes of work. This result is closely followed the acceptable work load and limit of continuous performance. The rest pause for Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter was 9 minutes followed by 30 minutes of work. The rest pause for Manual 2 row transplanter was 12 minutes followed by 30 minutes of work. More resting time was needed for conventional transplanting with a resting time of 14 minutes followed by 30 minutes of work. 78

80 Table Proposed work rest cycle for the selected transplanters Sl. No Selected rice transplanters Work rest cycle, min Redlands 8 row riding type transplanter 30 minutes of work followed by 2 1 min rest to the operator 2 3 Mahindra 4 row walking type 30 minutes of work followed by 9 transplanter min rest to the operator Manual 2 row transplanter 30 minutes of work followed by 12 min rest to the operator 4 Manual Transplanting 30 minutes of work followed by 14 min rest to the operator Heat stress The thermal index known as the wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT) was calculated and the results are presented in Table Table Heat stress for selected operations Sl.No. Selected transplanting operations 1 Redlands 8 row riding type WBGT 0 C Before 9 am After 11 am transplanter 2 Mahindra 4 row walking type transplanter 3 Manual 2 row transplanter Manual Transplanting The results are compared with the following Table and Chart. Category WBGT F WBGT C Flag color White Green Yellow Red Black 79

81 It is observed that heat stress was lower in transplanting operations before 9 am when compared to transplanting operations after 11 am. This is further confirmative of earlier result arrived that the energy expenditure of all selected operations were less before 9 am when compared to operations done after 11am. The operations performed before 9 am was under the flag colour White which indicates the No risk range. However the operations performed after 11 am was under the flag colour Yellow which indicates the Moderate risk range Modification of manual two row transplanter It is a walking backward type manually operated hand transplanter planting two rows with spacing of 250 mm. The machine consists of a seedling plate assembly, seedling claw fork, wooden float, chain and sprocket drive mechanism and handle. The existing wooden float sometimes gets stuck with mud that enters through the space between wooden boards and hence restricts easy movement of the machine. So a fiber float was fabricated and fitted instead of wooden float (Plate 3.2) which helps free movement in the wet field and also reduces the overall weight of the machine. The existing chain and sprocket drive mechanism moves in both directions (clock wise and anti clock wise directions ) which restricts easy movement of handle bar for operating 80

82 the seedling picking fork and finally the planting will not takes place. So a new sprocket with 80 mm dia having 17 teeth is fitted in the machine which allows the motion of handle bar only in one direction ie in anticlock wise direction and also reducing the cranking resistance of handle. Curved bend guide made up of sheet metal is also fabricated and fitted in the machine on both sides for easy movement of the seedlings without any damage. Plate 3.2. Modified Manual 2 row Transplanter sd/signature of P I sd/signature of Head of Station