Empowering Rural Women - Drudgery Reduction Through Mechanized Weed Management in Guntur District

Rural women play a critical role in agricultural operations, often engaging in labor-intensive tasks like weed control, which imposes significant physical strain and limits their participation in other productive activities. The lack of access to mechanized tools exacerbates this drudgery, impacting both productivity and well-being. This study focuses on evaluating the efficacy of mechanized weed management tools, particularly cycle weeders developed by TNAU and CRIDA, in reducing the physical burden of weeding for women in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. By addressing drudgery through improved technologies, the study aims to promote sustainable and gender-inclusive agricultural practices.

The study employed a quasi-experimental design to compare the drudgery levels associated with traditional weeding methods and mechanized alternatives, such as the TNAU and CRIDA cycle weeders. A sample of 30 rural women, randomly selected from villages adopted by the KVK, participated in the study. The Drudgery Index was utilized as the primary assessment tool to quantify the physical strain experienced during weeding activities. Data collection included both pre- and post-intervention assessments, with observations and feedback gathered to evaluate changes in perceived drudgery and productivity levels.

The findings revealed that both the TNAU and CRIDA cycle weeders significantly reduced the drudgery levels compared to traditional weeding methods. Participants reported improved efficiency, lower physical strain and enhanced productivity after adopting the mechanized tools. Despite the limitations of a small sample size and restricted geographical scope, the results highlight the potential of these interventions to alleviate the physical burden on rural women. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating mechanized tools in agricultural practices to enhance sustainability and support gender-inclusive development.