Anti-microbial shoes, gloves to protect farmers from Leptospirosis

Surat: This polyester-based fabric could prove to be life saver for hundreds of farm labourers who work continuously in knee-deep waters of paddy fields during monsoon across South Gujarat region.
The water resistant shoes, socks and gloves with anti-microbial properties made using the polyester, cotton and lycra fabrics has been developed by scientists at the Man Made Textile Research Association (MANTRA) in Surat.
With Gujarat having more than 8.50 lakh hectares of land under paddy cultivation, farmers and labourers working in the farm fields will get protection from leptospirosis and other deadly diseases.
According to state health department, 322 deaths due to leptospirosis has been reported from across the state—majority from south Gujarat—in the past decade.
Dr Munjal Parikh, senior scientist at MANTRA said, “Farmers are not comfortable with the gum-boot as they get stuck in the muddy water. So, we thought of developing light weight water resistant shoes with anti-bacterial property for protection.”
The project was conceived three years ago after studying the working pattern of the farmers in Surat and South Gujarat. The farmers were suggested to wear gumboots, but due to its weight it turned out to be counter productive.
Dr Syamal Maiti, senior scientist at MANTRA told TOI, “It took us three years to develop the shoes, socks and gloves. We have conducted successful trials in the fields in south Gujarat. More than 100 kits containing shoes, socks and gloves have been distributed free-of cost to the farmers in Navsari and Surat and they are using it successfully.”
EOM
Head: Life saver
Shoes are made from polyester fabric and that they are coated with acrylic and water repellent chemical to prevent water from entering into the shoes
The stretchable socks and gloves are made of cotton and lycra fabrics with treatment of silver-nano particles for anti-bacterial properties and its outer layer is coated with water resistant polyester fabric
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We will now begin the process to find interested manufacturers to take up mass production of shoes, gloves and socks. Not only Gujarat, but the entire country will be benefited out of this project.
Dr S K Basu, director of MANTRA
The entire kit containing shoes, socks and gloves costs Rs 250-300, but with the prices could be subsidised for the farmers and labour community
Dr Syamal Maiti, senior scientist