Abstract

Evaluation of Ergonomic Approaches and Their Impacts on Agricultural Labor Productivity of Farmers in Rural Areas : A Study Carried out in the Territory of Kipushi in Democratic Republic of Congo

KILONDA NZAZI Jean Marie, KAPEND MWAMB Jean Luc, KALONJI MULUMBA Nathan

Volume: 16 Issue: 3 2026

Abstract:

This article evaluates the impact of ergonomic approaches on agricultural productivity of farmers in rural areas, in the Kipushi territory, Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This study adopts a multidisciplinary perspective, at the intersection of work psychology, ergonomics, agronomic sciences, and food sociology. The main objective is to determine the impact of ergonomic approaches on agricultural productivity. The methodology is based on a mixed survey of 130 farmers, supplemented by semi-structured interviews. Results reveal a predominance of artisanal tools (52.3%), with marked disparities between peasants (manual tools) and industrial farmers (intensive mechanization). Major constraints identified include: lack of training (23.85%), absence of processing capacity (76.92%), and lack of transport (50.77%). Physical hardship is high, characterized by constrained postures and musculoskeletal disorders (31.53%). The study proposes an agro-ergo-therapeutic model integrating three dimensions: agronomic (cropping techniques, diversification), ergonomic (workstation design, prevention), and therapeutic (training, professionalization).

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