Harvesting with AARAM Cushioned Seat Technology for Alleviating Drudgery of Women Farmers

Isabgol (Plantago esculenta)is commercially important medicinal cool season crop is grown in rabi season in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh mainly for its seeds and husk. Isabgol is harvested by women and men farmers manually. Study was conducted on randomly selected women farmers from selective villages of Pokaran, Jaisalmer who performed harvesting of Isabgol crop manually with the objective to analyze drudgery perceived by women workers during harvesting without any technology and with use of AARAM cushioned Seat. Likewise, to assess its impact on their work efficiency and postural discomfort occurred due to nature of harvesting work. Data were collected through structured interview schedule and through field operation observations of individual women farmer. Results of the study showed significant change in drudgery of women farmers after using improved AARAM cushioned Seat during harvesting work with less difficulty and performing harvesting with more postural comfort as well. Similarly, improved work efficiency up to 25.14 percent due to comfortable working condition.