By: Dr. Ripudaman Singh (Special Correspondent ICN Group) & Hemant Kumar ( Agriculture Correspondent ICN Group)
NEW DELHI: Percentage involvement of women in dairy activities ranged from 85% in different states and in India. Women as an independent target group, account from 495.74 million and represent 48.3% of the country’s population. The All India Debt Investment Survey |(NSSO 70TH Round) indicates that 44 % of the rural households own bovine animals and for about a quarter of the rural households in Tamil Nadu. Kerala (22%), Haryana (15%), Punjab (15%), Rajasthan (11%) and Gujarat (18%) dairying is the chief source of livelihood. The survey also suggests that about 50% of bovine owning households have bank accounts. With our push for Jan Dhan Yojana, this will move to above 90% in areas with a strong milk procurement structure.
Activities Performed in Dairying
- Cutting of Fodder
- Bundling of Fodder
- Chopping of Fodder
- Feeding Animals
- Grazing Animals
- Milking Animals
- Cleaning Shed Making Dung Cake
- Watering Animals
- Washing Animals
As per the findings of the research conducted in hill region of Uttarakhand, on an average 584 hrs/yr. is spend on feeding animals, 421.5 hrs/yr. on bringing fodder and 315 hrs/yr. on collecting dung. Grazing animal and cleaning shed are time consuming activities performed daily by women and young children. The activity of dung cake making is performed by women for about 6-7 month in a year.
The activity of watering and washing animals also engaged women for 1-2 hours daily. Milking of the animal was found to be performed for about 7 to 8 months/lactation and so as for processing of milk. On an average about 209.5 hrs/yrs./lactation are spend on executing the milking activity.
Fodder Collection is very tedious job. Women in hills travel long distances and spend 4-6 hours daily on collection, cutting of fodder and feeding animals. This activity is performed daily except in adverse weather conditions where the dry fodder is used to feed the animals.
Naveen Sickle
- The sickle is provided with uniform thickness and light in weight.
- The width is maintained uniformly for perfect balance.
- The cutting edge is sharp with forged teeth.
- The sickle is heat treated for proper hardness.
- The blade is provided with perfectly shaped seasoned hard wood/plastic handle for easy grip.
- It is a proven technology for fodder cutting.
Dung Collector
- Dung collector is designed as per the anthropometric measurements of women.
- It helps in performing the activity in comfortable standing posture thus reduces the musculoskeletal discomfort.
Revolving Stool
- Saves 26% cardiac cost per unit output as compared to the continuous squatting position while milking an animal traditionally.
- Appropriate height of the revolving stool improves the posture, therefore reduces the musculo-skeletal discomfort while performing the activity.
- It is proven technology for reduction of drudgery of farm women.
Long Handle Fork
Designed as per the anthropometric measurements of the farm women.
- Convenient handle and height of the fork improves the work posture of the women.
- The comfortable grip of the fork enhances the work efficiency and reduces the grip fatigue.
- Light weight of the fork makes its handling easy and comfortable.
Water Bag
- Useful for carrying water in difficult terrain.
- It has strips, can be carried on back.
- 15-20 liters of water can be carried in one trip.
- Total cardiac cost of work reduces from 794.6 beats to 725.25 beats over conventional method.
- Can be fabricated by locally available material.
Face Protector
- Designed to reduce the risk of direct facial contact with sharp crop leaf edges, minute and hazardous dust particles and insects.
- It avoids the cuts and allergies to the face of the users.
