OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN FEMALE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN INDIA ? A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Author(s): Piyush Kathane and Shiv Joshi*
Abstract
According to ancient texts, India's heritage of agriculture sector development transcends back to the Indus valley civilization. India is second in the domain of agricultural productivity. Farming employed more significant than 50% of India's workers and generated about 18% of the nation's revenue. However, provided the severity of underlying urgent issues which surround the field and the country, both agriculture communities and the agricultural industry overall have seen a great deal of turmoil and the medical industry has neatly overlooked it. According to research, hypersensitivity to grains soot, fungal allergens, cereal pollen grains, animal hair, including mites enhance the incidence of respiratory problems and immunological disorders in agricultural laborers. Another typical occurrence is farmer's lungs, an immunologic mediated pneumonitis brought on by fungi via rotten grass and grains. Additionally, zoonotic illnesses afflict the population of agricultural laborers and appropriate measures are needed to address these issues.
Women are substantial contributors to the Indian GDP, particularly in agribusiness. Their importance and commitment to the economic prosperity of the country are generally, not widely acknowledged. Women are kept reliant and susceptible by ingrained societal and religious standards, which characterize a female as inferior and submissive. These traditions also allow the victimization; of women who work in agriculture as laborers. Focusing on improving occupational wellness, which concentrates on the physiological, psychological and cultural wellbeing of employees, is crucial for development of the country. Throughout India, the occupational health of female agricultural workers is a community safety concern that requires prompt action.
The aim of the article is to investigate the relationship between farming and their well-being; the workplace risks and occupational health problems experienced by female agricultural laborers, agriculture related health hazards, suggestions to improve the environment for female agrarian workers and the relevant regulatory framework in India.