Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Ranima Saikia

Abstract:
Agriculture is a major source of livelihood for rural masses in the district of West Garo hills. The livelihood if the region is based on the horticultural crops that are grown. Areca nut is major horticultural crop grown in the district of West Garo Hills. Women are observed to be involved in various cultivation practices of areca. In North-east India, women play an important role in agricultural activities. The study was carried out in the Gambegre block of West Garo hills district, Meghalaya. In areca cultivations, women are involved right from growing of nursey plant raising, clearing of plot, plantation, weeding, harvesting, collection of harvested crops and selling. While doing so the workers adopts various postures that leads to discomforts, cardiovascular stresses and health hazards. It was found that (1) average working heart rate (bpm) was 135.5 with maximum at 195, (2) average cardiac cost of work was 19001beats. These results are most likely due to the various difficult postures women are forced to adopt while collecting acreca and carrying headloads in the hilly terrains. Ergonomic interventions are recommended for overall wellbeing of these women.