<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><article>
  <title>Empowering Farm Women: The Role of Drudgery-Reducing Technologies in Promoting Gender Equity</title>

      <doi>https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2024.12.04.528</doi>
  
  <authors>
      </authors>

      <abstract><![CDATA[<p>The transition of Indian agriculture from animal-driven to machine-driven practices has<br />
introduced various tools and implements aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing physical<br />
labour. Ergonomics, the science of tailoring equipment and workstations to the capabilities and<br />
limitations of the human body, plays an important role in reducing physical stress and health<br />
risks associated with agricultural work, especially for female workers who face repetitive and<br />
difficult tasks. This study explored the introduction and impact of ten drudgery-reducing farm<br />
technologies for farm women. The primary goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of these<br />
technologies in enhancing productivity and reducing physical labour through a capacity-building<br />
training program. A capacity-building training program was conducted in Kaveliguda village,<br />
targeting 50 farm women. The training focused on ten drudgery-reducing farm technologies,<br />
which included sapling transplanters, improved sickles, long-handle weeders, Head load<br />
managers, Seed placement tubes, Finger guards, Ring cutters, different types of Cotton harvest<br />
bags, Knitted gloves, and Seed cum fertilizer bag. Pre and post-training evaluations were carried<br />
out to assess changes in awareness and adoption rates. Socio-economic constraints, including<br />
low income and limited contact with extension services, create significant barriers to training<br />
participation and technology uptake. The pre- and post-training evaluations revealed significant increase in awareness of the<br />
drudgery-reducing technologies. There was a moderate adoption rate of these technologies<br />
among the participants. The findings underscore the importance of accessible training and<br />
technology in enhancing productivity and occupational comfort for women in agriculture. By<br />
emphasizing ergonomics and user-centered design principles, this study highlighted the<br />
importance of active participation of women in the design process to ensure that the equipment<br />
meets their specific needs and preferences. This participatory approach not only increased the<br />
usefulness and acceptance of the equipment among women farmers but also created a sense of<br />
ownership. Prioritizing ergonomics in tool design and implementation can create a more<br />
equitable and sustainable agricultural sector that supports the health and empowerment of<br />
women farmers.</p>
]]></abstract>
  
  <body><![CDATA[<div class="aatcc-article-container"><div class="aatcc-category-label">Original Research Article</div><div class="aatcc-meta-box"><div class="aatcc-doi-wrap">
            <a class="aatcc-doi-btn" href="https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2024.12.04.528" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2024.12.04.528</a>
        </div><div class="aatcc-abstract-section">
                <h3>Abstract</h3>
                <div class="aatcc-abstract-text"><p>The transition of Indian agriculture from animal-driven to machine-driven practices has<br />
introduced various tools and implements aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing physical<br />
labour. Ergonomics, the science of tailoring equipment and workstations to the capabilities and<br />
limitations of the human body, plays an important role in reducing physical stress and health<br />
risks associated with agricultural work, especially for female workers who face repetitive and<br />
difficult tasks. This study explored the introduction and impact of ten drudgery-reducing farm<br />
technologies for farm women. The primary goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of these<br />
technologies in enhancing productivity and reducing physical labour through a capacity-building<br />
training program. A capacity-building training program was conducted in Kaveliguda village,<br />
targeting 50 farm women. The training focused on ten drudgery-reducing farm technologies,<br />
which included sapling transplanters, improved sickles, long-handle weeders, Head load<br />
managers, Seed placement tubes, Finger guards, Ring cutters, different types of Cotton harvest<br />
bags, Knitted gloves, and Seed cum fertilizer bag. Pre and post-training evaluations were carried<br />
out to assess changes in awareness and adoption rates. Socio-economic constraints, including<br />
low income and limited contact with extension services, create significant barriers to training<br />
participation and technology uptake. The pre- and post-training evaluations revealed significant increase in awareness of the<br />
drudgery-reducing technologies. There was a moderate adoption rate of these technologies<br />
among the participants. The findings underscore the importance of accessible training and<br />
technology in enhancing productivity and occupational comfort for women in agriculture. By<br />
emphasizing ergonomics and user-centered design principles, this study highlighted the<br />
importance of active participation of women in the design process to ensure that the equipment<br />
meets their specific needs and preferences. This participatory approach not only increased the<br />
usefulness and acceptance of the equipment among women farmers but also created a sense of<br />
ownership. Prioritizing ergonomics in tool design and implementation can create a more<br />
equitable and sustainable agricultural sector that supports the health and empowerment of<br />
women farmers.</p>
</div>
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