Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume 71 | Issue 2
Impact of a Hand-Operated Vegetable Transplanter on Postural Stress and Drudgery Reduction in Women Agricultural Workers
Pragya Ojha
Pankaj Kumar Ojha
Sarita Devi
Kavita Bhatt and Poonam Singh
DOI:10.46852/0424-2513.2.2026.7
Abstract:
Vegetable transplanting is a highly labour- intensive agricultural activity predominantly performed by farm women in India, involving prolonged bending and squatting postures that impose considerable musculoskeletal strain. The present study was conducted in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh to assess musculoskeletal discomfort, grip fatigue, and overall postural stress among 50 farm women (20–55 years) during vegetable transplanting using traditional and mechanized methods. A comparative experimental design was adopted under actual field conditions. Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the body map technique and a five-point pain scale, hand grip strength was measured using a dynamometer, and Overall Discomfort Rating (ODR) was recorded using a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale. Results indicated a high prevalence of severe to very severe pain in the neck (56%), upper back (72%), knees (68%), and thighs (62%) during the traditional method. The mechanized method significantly reduced severe discomfort across body regions (65–87% reduction). Mean grip strength reduction was significantly lower in the mechanized method (3.88 ± 0.26%) compared to the traditional method (6.40 ± 1.32%) (p < 0.05), indicating reduced muscular fatigue. The mean ODR decreased from 8.2 ± 0.74 (heavy discomfort) in the traditional method to 3.4 ± 0.81 (moderate discomfort) in the mechanized method (p < 0.01). The findings demonstrate that use of a hand-operated vegetable transplanter substantially reduces musculoskeletal strain and drudgery, thereby enhancing occupational health and work efficiency among farm women.
Highlights
- High prevalence of severe musculoskeletal discomfort was observed among farm women during traditional vegetable transplanting, particularly in the neck (56%), upper back (72%), knees (68%), and thighs (62%).
- Adoption of a hand-operated vegetable transplanter significantly reduced severe discomfort across body regions by 65–87%, demonstrating its ergonomic advantage.
- Mean grip strength reduction was significantly lower in the mechanized method (3.88 ± 0.26%) compared to the traditional method (6.40 ± 1.32%) (p < 0.05), indicating reduced muscular fatigue.
- Overall Discomfort Rating (ODR) declined markedly from 8.2 ± 0.74 (heavy discomfort) in the traditional method to 3.4 ± 0.81 (moderate discomfort) in the mechanized method (p < 0.01), confirming substantial drudgery reduction and improved occupational health.
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