Ergonomic evaluation of different improved sickles in paddy harvesting

Naveen, Baibhav and Local sickles were evaluated for harvesting paddy crop with 20 farm women age 30-50 years (Subjects) at surrounding villages of KVK, Chatra, Jharkhand. The data of improved and Local sickles were compared. During the harvesting session, they spend nearly 7-8 hours daily to perform the activity. The Naveen sickle was the heaviest weight 229g followed by Baibhav and deshi was 202 and 178g, respectively. Deshi sickle was the lightest in weight (178g). Blade of both improved sickles were made up of high carbon steel except for deshi sikcle that was made up of iron. The output was found maximum for Naveen sickle (74.2kg) this sickle resulted 6.9 per cent more ouput over the deshi sickle and also increase area covered 4.7 per cent over the deshi sickle. Average working heart rate (104bpm) and corresponding energy expenditure (7.81kg/min) was found minimum for Naveen sickle. Total cardiac cost of work for all sickles ranged from 840 beats to 1010 beats TCCW for Naveen sickle was 19.38 per cent less over deshi sickle. Therefore, Naveen sickle was suitable for crop harvesting under prevailing bio-physical and social economic condition of Chatra district, Jharkhand.