Anthropometric considerations of farm tools/machinery design for tribal workers of northeastern India

Abstract

Anthropometric body dimensions play a significant role in human-machine interaction.  The overall working efficiency of human-machine environment and resultant discomfort has severe impact while using farm tools and machinery in hills.  The northeastern region of India is predominantly hilly and inhabited by tribal population.  This study presents the anthropometric data of the agricultural workers of Meghalaya, which helps to develop/modify the tools and machinery suitable for the people of this Region.  In total 1027 subjects (566 male and 461 female) of five different tribes known as Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, Hajong and Koch from 35 different villages were selected randomly from seven districts.  Thirty-four body dimensions useful for agricultural equipment design were selected and measured.  The average weight of female workers was found to be about 10.1% lower than the male workers and the average stature of male was nearly 6.9% higher than the female. Similar trend was observed in most of the measured body dimension.  The collected data showed non-significant difference among various body dimensions while comparing with other northeastern states.  The efforts have been made to illustrate the application of anthropometric data in the design of farm equipments through some examples.

Keywords: Anthropometry, farm machinery design, farm tools

Citation: Agrawal K. N., R. K. P Singh, and K. K. Satapathy.  Anthropometric considerations of farm tools/machinery design for tribal workers of northeastern India.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 143-150.