Perception of farm women about efficiency of drudgery-reducing farm implements

The present research was carried out in Kolar and Tumkur districts of Karnataka in three villages namely Nagasandra, Ikkanur and Huyludore involving 120 women respondents. Three improved agricultural implements like Naveen sickle, groundnut decorticator and manual weeder were selected for the study. Ten statements were retained concerning to each of the three implements subjected for research to assess perception of farm women about efficiency of improved agricultural implements. All the respondents reported that using hand operated weeder had reduced their drudgery as it avoided sitting on legs for long hours; ninety five per cent of the respondents expressed that there was no need of sitting and squatting thereby they could avoid backache. All the respondents expressed that the curvature of the Naveen sickle was helpful in avoiding regular striking of the fingers to the hard surface of the field. The serrated sharp ends made it possible to cut the stems of the weed plants easily with less energy and which didn't require special training to operate. All the farm women expressed that the use of groundnut decorticator reduced drudgery and avoided straining of fingers due to continuous pressing and removal of nuts from the pod.