Redesigning Agricultural Tools Using Anthropometry of Male Agricultural Workers of Dayalbagh Region, Agra, India

Abstract

AbstractA considerable number of agricultural operations/tasks are still performed manually. Use of farm hand tools and agricultural implements helps in accomplishing these tasks with increase in the performance, comfort, satisfaction, and functionality of workers. A large proportion of the workforce in the world is involved in agriculture or related occupations. Hand tools have been in use for a very long time and have been developed in an almost evolutionary manner. Design of a hand tool depends on many factors like mode of operation, anthropometric data of user population of specific region, material, and shape of handle. Research has shown that there are anthropometric differences between different populations for almost every part of the human body. Anthropometric measurements have been used in various studies to design hand implements and manually operated equipment like screw driver, hand saw, sickle, pliers, scrapers, shovel handle, khurpi, weaving tools, weeder etc. The proposed research analyzes the design and design modifications of agricultural hand tools, implements and machines being used in agricultural fields in Dayalbagh region, Agra, India. Ergonomic consciousness is increasing in the design of the agricultural hand tools and equipment. Anthropometry plays an important role in the design of various manually operated hand tools and equipment. Selected body dimensions were measured from a sample of 55 male subjects. Anthropometric data is then used to redesign the existing hand tools and equipment, namely khurpi, sickle, spade, weeder, and thresher, used in Dayalbagh region.KeywordsFarm toolsAnthropometryAgricultural workers