2023, Vol. 8, Special Issue 1

Traditional method of transplanting of vegetable seedlings in field is extensively accepted cultivation practice in India and high labor-intensive operations in agriculture. During these operations farm workers are suffered with the high risk of musculoskeletal discomfort and postural stress. Hence, this study aimed to study the postural stress and musculoskeletal problems of the farm women while performing vegetable transplanting operation with traditional method and to reduce their musculoskeletal discomfort with the mechanized method and ergonomically evaluate both the methods. Twenty female subjects with normal health, without any major illness or cardio-vascular problems were selected for the study. The age range of the subjects was 20-55 years. While performing the vegetable transplanting operations with traditional method majority of the women complained Very Severe (75 percent) and severe (55 percent) pain in the different body regions. But reduction in the percentage of women complaining about the musculoskeletal problems was observed with the use of improved methods of vegetable transplanting. The percentage reduction in grip strength was also observed to be lower in improved method (53 percent) compared to traditional method. With mechanized method, the physiological workload and drudgery of farm women can reduce and increase their working efficiency and productivity significantly.