Drudgery Reduction Through the Use of Handheld Fertilizer Applicator

Abstract

The process of fertilization is one of the very important phases in improving the quality and quantity of crops. The tools/equipment available for several agricultural operations are primarily developed for male workers taking their anthropometric body dimensions and strength parameters, which is on the higher side than that of body dimensions of women workers. Therefore, it results in lower efficiency and health problems to farm women while operating it. To reduce the drudgery, occupational health problems and increase productivity, an ergonomically designed handheld fertilizer applicator has been developed taking anthropometric body dimensions of farm women. The designed handheld fertilizer applicator was evaluated among six farm women for crops, namely onion and groundnut. Six subjects performed the activity using the conventional method and using the designed handheld fertilizer applicator. Parameters such as time taken, heart rate and energy expenditure were studied and the same was compared with the conventional method. Physiological parameters including age, height and BMI of the subjects were recorded. The mean age of the subject was 46 ± 3.2 years. Time taken to complete 10 m ridge is 18.02 s and 13.25 s for the conventional method and using a handheld fertilizer applicator, respectively. A study on energy expenditure indicated 11.45 kJ min−1 for the conventional method and 9.41 kJ min−1 while using a handheld fertilizer applicator. The heart rate during the conventional method of fertilizer application was 118 bts/min, while it was 109 bts/min using a fertilizer applicator. The results indicate an overall reduction of time by 26% and energy expenditure by 17.8%. Hence, this drudgery-reducing women-friendly tool can be used for fertilizer application.