A study was undertaken to evaluate the human energy consumption of various field operations involved in lowland rice cultivation in Malaysia. Based on recorded average heart rates, fertilizing was found to be the most strenuous operation, with an average heart rate of 138 beats min(-1). There were no significant differences in the average heart rates of the subjects among the individual tasks within the first plowing, second plowing, and harvesting operations, with the average heart rates for these three tasks being 116, 106, and 106 beats min(-1), respectively. The corresponding energy expenditures were 3.90, 3.43, and 3.35 kcal min(-1). Loading the seed into the blower tank and broadcasting the seed were the most critical tasks for the seed broadcasting operation, with average heart rates of 124 and 136 beats min(-1), respectively. The highest energy expenditure of 418.38 kcal ha(-1) was observed for seed broadcasting, and the lowest energy expenditure of 127.96 kcal ha(-1) was for second plowing. The total seasonal human energy expenditure for rice cultivation was estimated to be 5810.71 kcal ha(-1), 55.7% of which was spent on pesticide spraying. Although the sample size in this study was relatively small, the results indicated that human energy expenditure per unit area (kcal ha(-1)) was positively linked to the average heart rate of the subjects and negatively linked to the field capacity. Thus, mechanization of certain tasks could decrease worker physical effort and fatigue and increase production.
Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/prevention & control
Conventional farming demands excessive use of chemicals in the form of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, confirming to the norms of Green Revolution. Farmers in general, specifically in the developing countries resort to injudicious and excessive use of pesticides which is linked to the illiteracy and poverty of the rural farming community. Their overriding concern for profitable agriculture, has rendered the health of the farmers at a greater risk of developing dreadful maladies including various type of cancers, reproductive disorders, respiratory, dermal, and neuropsychological problems etc. The possible means of reducing the health risks are discussed, including the global effort to regulate the manufacture, transport and use of highly toxic pesticides. Slow and programmed transition to alternative agriculture and strengthening of farmers' knowledge on health, ecosystem and environment will prove effective.
The study investigated the extent of acute pesticide poisoning in selected agricultural communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as well as the contributing factors, because it is believed that this type of poisoning is a major problem in developing countries, but not in the industrialized countries, despite their extensive use of pesticides. The study confirmed the existence of this problem, which was found to be due to inadequate knowledge of the safe practices in the use of pesticides among users and to the lack of suitable protective clothing for use by agricultural workers in hot and humid climates.
Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/prevention & control