Characterization of drudgery of women in dairy production system

A study was conducted on the characterization of drudgery of women in dairy production system in Dharwad district of Karnataka comprising 150 respondents. The results depicted that milking was exclusive activity of women among majority of respondents (76.00%). More than 15 kg of weight was carried by women while performing fodder collection activity. The distance of carrying load was observed to be maximum in fodder collection (1.75 km). While doing milking activity more than ninety per cent women had pain in fingers, upper legs and lower legs with rating of 3.66, 3.49 and 3.48 respectively. More than 70 per cent women experienced postural discomfort in lower back, upper back and lower legs in most of the activities. Maximum rating of physiological workload was given to cleaning of cattle sheds (3.66) followed by fodder collection (3.53) which were performed by women. Maximum drudgery index was scored in cleaning of cattle shed (31.59%). Factors causing drudgery differed significantly and among six factors postural load, musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive strain and physiological load influenced variations.