Abstract:
Agriculture is the production of food and goods through farming. Agriculture is the key development that leads to the rise of human civilization. Agriculture plays an important role in Indian Economy. Rice is an important food grain of India. India is next to Chaina in the world in the production of rice. Rice cultivation needs 25 degree Celsius temperature and an average of 150 cm of rain per year. India is the largest producers of rice, accounting for 20% of all world rice production. Rice is produced throughout the country but it is found more in Tamilnadu, AP, WB, MP, Assam, Kerala etc. Rice cultivation involves following steps eg i) Land preparation, ii) Nursery rising for seedlings, iii) Field preparation, iv) Transplanting, v) Weeding & application of pesticides and inorganic fertilizer, v) Harvesting threshing and storing. All the stages of rice cultivation are repetitive nature and it continues throughout the whole year. The traditional rice cultivation method demands a sustained standing bending twisting posture in association with repetitive hand motion. This awkward posture creates severe musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) among the farmers. Redesign of existing tools, new concept design for different activity (within the range of affordability of individual persons), proper guideline & regular awareness can minimize the discomfort feeling among the farmers. The main objective of this study are to assess the socio-economic and health status of agriculture workers, assessment of existing work posture and recommendation for better work posture from the view point of occupational health and safety, redesign and innovation of new concept tools considering better work posture, literacy level, affordability and sustainability.