Kajian Pemilihan Alternatif Penyiangan Gulma Padi Sawah

Abstract

One of the major problems in organic rice farming is weed eradication activity, or commonly called weeding. Conventional weeding is extremely time consuming work and require a lot of labor. Contrarily, the number of population working in agriculture sector has been decreasing over time in comparison to the industrial sector. To cope with this existing problem, switching from conventional to mechanical or semi-mechanical tools is needed for most agricultureal areas. However, the use of these tools should also take the human factor into consideration so that optimal human-machine system may be possible to be applied. In addition, the design of the equipment should also consider the safety and health as well as ergonomic factors of operator. The objective of the research was to find out the operator workload value and work effectiveness resulting from three weeding activities i.e. hand weeding, semi mechanical weeding and mechanical weeding. Research was conducted in the organic farmers rice fields in Situgede, West Bogor prefecture, Bogor city, West Java. Semi-mechanical weeding involved two types of weeder, namely local gasrok-weeder type (Indonesian weeder) and Japanese roller-weeder type. In order to determine the most appropriate weeding type, the technical (including ergonomics), economic and environmental aspects of each weeding types were investigated. Various data were collected during the experiment such as: (i) weeding performance (manually, semi-mechanical and mechanical/power operated weeder); (ii) ergonomic parameters data (work load factor). Data processing was implemented in fuzzy logic–fuzzy inference system (FIS) for generating fuzzy rules operation. Model input consists of five parameters i.e. work capacity, weeding effectiveness, energy consumption, environment aspect and cost. A Mamdani FIS type with OR fuzzy operator (maximum function) was used to generate the rules for each treatment. The output is the maximum value resulted from 17 combinations rules for each weeder type. Based on the experimental results, the highest weeding performance was achieved by power weeder under flooded and muddy soil conditions. Workload measurements indicated energy requirement of all type (hand weeding, local gasrok weeder type, roller type and mechanical) that a value of energy consumption by female operator is highest than male operator. This is influences with heart rate value each operator. A value of heart rate by female operator is highest than male operator. It is mean that the muscular work of male operator is stronght. The muscular work is influences heart rate levels. For work capacity and weeding effectivity, the largest was achieved by power weeder. Based on weeding selection model using fuzy-FIS, the maximum output value was achieved by mechanical (Power weeder). However, their use should be adjusted to the level of ability, needs and goals to be achieved by user.