Impact of Drudgery Reducing Technologies on Tea Plucking Women of Himachal Pradesh

摘要

The study has been conducted to assess the existing practices in complete operation of tea plucking, identification of gaps in correct posture use and technology if any and to design, modify and implement the right posture and technology to reduce drudgery and improve efficiency of rural women. The sampled respondents (N=500) had an average age of 36.9 years and an overall average physical fitness. The activity was carried out in three phases, viz. survey, experimental, technology testing. The cardiovascular, muscular, physiological and environmental stresses on women (N=60) while plucking tea leaves were studied by employing various parameters, viz. anthropometric data of women at work, physical fitness test, heart rate values, total cardiac cost of work, rated perceived exertion and impact of environmental parameters on work output and health status of women. The main gaps identified were improper posture, and lack of use of any tools and techniques. Thus, uses of kilta, blades and scissors were incorporated to reduce drudgery. The results indicated a significant reduction in the average and peak heart rate (kilta-96bpm, blades-95bpm) and physiological stress of women involved in the improved tea plucking methods, as compared to the existing methods. An increase in the output of tea leaves has been observed to the existing methods. An increase in the output of tea leaves has been observed with the implementation of improved / new technologies. Therefore, training is suggested in use of both appropriate posture and technology to reduce drudgery.