ABSTRACT
Abstract: Rice-wheat cropping system, intensively followed in Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), played a prominent role in fulfilling the food grains demand of the increasing population of South Asia. In northern Indian plains, some practices such as intensive rice cultivation with traditional method for long-term have been associated with severe deterioration of natural resources, declining factor productivity, multiple nutrients deficiencies, depleting groundwater, labour scarcity and higher cost of cultivation, putting the agricultural sustainability in question. Varietal development, soil and water management, and adoption of resource conservation technologies in rice cultivation are the key interventions areas to address these challenges. The cultivation of lesser water requiring crops, replacing rice in light-textured soil and rainfed condition, should be encouraged through policy interventions. Direct seeding of short duration, high-yielding and stress tolerant rice varieties with water conservation technologies can be a successful approach to improve the input use efficiency in rice cultivation under medium-heavy-textured soils. Moreover, integrated approach of suitable cultivars for conservation agriculture, mechanized transplanting on zero-tilled/unpuddled field and need-based application of water, fertilizer and chemicals might be a successful approach for sustainable rice production system in the current scenario. In this review study, various challenges in productivity and sustainability of rice cultivation system and possible alternatives and solutions to overcome such challenges are discussed in details.
ABSTRACT
Patient and/or resident handling is a major cause of injury to healthcare workers. The effectiveness of an overhead ceiling lift programme at mitigating the risk of injury from resident handling was evaluated by comparing injury data and staff perceptions before and after implementation of the programme, and by comparison with a similar unit that did not implement an overhead ceiling lift programme. A questionnaire was used to assess perceived risk of injury and discomfort, preferred resident handling methods, frequency of performing designated resident handling tasks, perceived physical demands, work organization, and staff satisfaction. Staff preferred overhead ceiling lifts to other methods of transfer (manual or floor lifts) when lifting or transferring residents. A significant reduction was observed in the perceived risk of injury and discomfort to the neck, shoulders, back, hands, and arms of care staff. Compensation costs due to lifting and transferring tasks were reduced by 68% for the intervention unit and increased by 68% for the comparison unit. Overhead ceiling lifts were not beneficial in reducing the perceived risk of injury, pain or discomfort, or compensation costs when used to reposition residents. The study demonstrated an overall cost-savings associated with the installation of the overhead lifts, and highlighted areas for further improvement.
