Harvesting is the most important unit operation in agriculture. In Indian conditions, especially on marginal to medium level of farm and fruit orchards farm women are employed for harvesting, where still hand-picking methods are prevalent, which causes drudgery and may sometimes lead to occupational health hazard. Study showed that the postures adopted while unloading the harvest lead to various musculoskeletal disorders. To minimize the occupational health hazards ICAR-CIWA Bhubaneswar team comprising of Er Chaitrali Shashank Mhatre, Dr Jyoti Nayak and Er Pragati K Rout has developed the women friendly technology of “CIWA- Easy Harvest Bag”. The easy harvesting bag takes into consideration the anthropometric dimensions of Indian female and male also. The bag comes with an easy and quick release mechanism. It reduces the number of trips by easy loading and unloading of produce in bulk amount. Thus, it provides an ergonomic intervention which mitigates the postural discomfort, eliminating twisting of wrist, neck and trunk. The proprietor of Maa Sarala Tailoring, Salia Sahi, Ekamra Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Ms. Ranjukta Kumari Behera, approached ICAR-CIWA for licensing of this women friendly technology. Complete Technology document and hands-on-training on fabrication of women friendly “CIWA – Easy Harvest Bag” was imparted to the entrepreneur on 17th Aug, 2023. A MoU was signed for handing over of Easy Harvest Bag technology between ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar and Maa Sarala Tailoring, Salia Sahi, Ekamra Vihar, Bhubaneswar. During the event, Dr Mridula Devi, Director ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar encouraged the women entrepreneur to utilize technology “CIWA- Easy Harvest Bag” as a mode to enhance the family income and livelihood security. Director CIWA also assured her that all possible hand holding encompassing forward and backward linkages will be extended to her for ensuring the success of this venture.
Read more: https://www.icar-ciwa.org.in/index.php/fortabevents/623-ciwa-harvestbag
