Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

ISSN-0119-7312

The Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is published annually by the Agricultural Mechanization Development Program, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Banos

The PJABE is a refereed journal which aims to serve as a national venue for the dissemination of information on recent research and development in the field of agricultural and biosystems engineering.

Anthropometry of Male Farmers in Laguna, Philippines and its Potential Applications in the Design of Agricultural Machines and Tools

Omar F. Zubia, Delfin C. Suministrado, Arsenio N. Resurreccion, Rossana Marie C. Amongo, Fernando O. Paras Jr., and Marvin C. Petingco

ABSTRACT

Thirty three different body measurements that have direct implications to the designs of agricultural machines were collected from 123 male farmers in Laguna. Results showed that the farming population in the province has an average age of 40 years with 70% belonging to the 20 to 50 years age bracket. The remaining 30% were 50 years and older. The “average male farmer” stands 161.8 cm or about 5 ft 4 in tall with standard deviation of 6.3 cm. The application of the anthropometric data gathered were used in the analysis of tool designs and illustrated through examples. Since it is unwise to design for the average person because very few individuals are exactly like the “average person”, the values of the 5th and 95th percentile were used for adjustable design purposes. The results from this study can be used as guides in future designs of agricultural machines suitable for Filipino farmers. It is strongly recommended that extensive anthropometric survey be carried out in different regions of the country to generate a complete anthropometric profile of Filipino male and female farmers for future design reference.

Keywords: anthropometry, percentile, farmers, design

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The Managing Editor

AMDP, IAE, CEAT

University of the Philippines Los Banos

College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

e-mail address: mariavictorialarona@yahoo.com