1 North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology, Nirjuli - 791 109, Arunachal Pradesh.
2 Deptt. of Agric. and Food Engg., IIT, Kharagpur-721 302, WB.
The state of Arunachal Pradesh is located between 26°28″ to 29°30″ N latitude and 90°30″ to 97°30″ E longitude. It has mostly mountainous physiography with irregular and rugged topography. Shifting cultivation is commonly practiced in the state. The farmers mainly use locally made hand tools for various cultivation practices. These hand tools have sustainable base and are used since time immemorial by the ethnic groups. Some of these commonly used hand tools were collected from various parts of the state and were evaluated for their performance under field conditions. It was observed that most of the sea reoperated underbending or squatting posture leading to human drudgery. Field capacity of the tools was low. Since there is a need for small tools, it is recommended that modification of these be incorporated with a view to enhancing their field capacity and comfort of operation before introducing any improved agricultural machines in the stateforthe implementation of mechanization strategies.
