Enough is Enough: Stop Designing Farm Equipment That Humiliates Women
I am sick and tired of farm equipment being designed for women by men who have no understanding of our bodies, our needs, or our dignity.
This latest video making the rounds is a tractor pulling women face-down in the dirt, heads stuffed into holes like a massage table, plucking weeds as they’re dragged across a field is not just bad design. It’s a disgrace.
And lets be clear: Only men think this is a good idea.
You Wouldnt Do This to Men, So Why is it Okay for Women?
Would men be expected to lie face-down, chests crushed, breathing in dust, being pulled behind a tractor for hours?
No. Because if this were a group of men in the video, the outrage would be immediate. People would call it what it is: exploitative, degrading, and inhumane.
But because it’s women, suddenly its being marketed as an upgrade to farming.
Let’s call that what it really is: absolute nonsense.
Farming Just Got an Upgrade??? No, It Got More Exploitative
This particular video was posted with the following caption:
“Farming just got an upgrade! Would you try weeding carrots like this?”
This is not an upgrade. It is a failure. A failure to innovate, a failure to respect workers, and a failure to design farm equipment that doesnt treat women like extensions of the soil.
“Ever seen women weeding carrots while lying down on a moving platform? Its a real thing! And its wild.”
Yes, its wild that we are still treating farmworkers like human conveyor belts instead of human beings.
“Its tough work. Long hours. Precision needed.”
So they admit its exhausting, grueling labour and instead of improving conditions, they act like this is something to be celebrated? This is modern agriculture in 2025, and the best you could come up with is strapping women face-down to a machine?
“These women are the backbone of the harvest.”
If these women are so essential, why arent they given better tools? Why is their pain being ignored? Why are they lying in the dirt while the machine pulling them gets more respect than they do?
Women dont need condescending praise. They need dignity, fair wages, and equipment that doesnt force them into degrading positions.
“Why do it? Because carrots need space to grow, and weeds steal their nutrients.“
This is not about the carrots. This is about cheap labor and the refusal to invest in better solutions.
If efficiency were truly the goal, why haven’t they:
Invested in AI-powered weeders?
Designed upright, ergonomic weeding carts?
Created mechanized solutions that dont force women to be dragged behind a tractor?
Because this isnt about efficiency its about cutting costs at the expense of womens dignity.
“Would you ever try it? Please share your thoughts in the comments.”
This question is laughable. Women aren’t trying this for fun. They are doing it because they have no other choice.
The Design is Not Just Bad. It’s Actively Harmful
This setup ignores basic human anatomy and creates unnecessary physical pain:
1. Breast Discomfort & Pain: A hard surface pressing against a woman’s chest for hours is not just uncomfortable and painful. Bruising, circulation issues, and long-term damage are inevitable.
2. Neck & Shoulder Strain: Holding your head in a downward position for hours while being jolted by a tractor? That’s not ergonomic. That’s torture.
3. Breathing Issues & Dust Exposure: Being inches from the soil means inhaling dust, debris, and pesticides all day. How is this acceptable?
4. Dignity & Agency: Do not ignore what this looks like. Women, face down, passive, being dragged by a machine. It is humiliating.
And if you think that doesnt matter, ask yourself why this is being shared as amusement rather than a serious industry solution.
Men, Stop Defending This. Stop Laughing. Start Thinking.
The reason this video angers me so much is because only men seem to think this is a good idea.
Every single woman who has seen this knows instinctively that it is degrading.
We know what it’s like to have our bodies dismissed in design.
We know what it’s like for people to patronizingly praise us while putting us in uncomfortable, painful positions.
We know how common it is for men to make decisions about women workspaces without ever asking women how it feels.
And the worst part? Men will defend this design, saying:
It’s just how the work is dne.
Women agreed to do it, so whats the problem?
If you don’t like it, dont do it!
Stop. Just stop.
The fact that women are doing this work does not mean it is acceptable.
The fact that this setup exists does not mean it is justified.
And the fact that men think this is okay proves why women need to be in charge of designing agricultural equipment.
We Deserve Better And Its Not Hard to Do
If you actually care about innovation in farming, start by designing equipment that:
Respects the human body
Doesn’t force workers into degrading positions
Uses technology to reduce labor, not just make it cheaper
There are countless alternatives to this medieval contraption:
Standing or seated weeders with adjustable support
AI-powered weeders that eliminate the need for manual weeding
Mechanized solutions that prioritize worker comfort
This is Not Just a Design Issue. It’s a Mindset Issue
This setup is not a mistake. It is a direct result of a farming industry that still refuses to take women’s needs seriously.
If this were men in the video, this design would never have been accepted.
If you are a manufacturer, engineer, or farm owner designing equipment:
If your machine forces women into unnatural, painful, or degrading positions, its a bad design. Period.
And if you’re one of the men liking and sharing this video as a joke, maybe it’s time to stop laughing and start asking:
Would YOU want to be in that position? If the answer is no, then why is it okay for women?
This is Not an Upgrade. It’s a Disgrace.
Farming needs innovation. But this? This is just exploitation disguised as efficiency.
And I am done staying silent about it.
[..]
FARM EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR MISERY
Being in a prone position (lying face-down) for extended periods of time, especially while being pulled behind a tractor, can lead to serious health consequences for both men and women. However, due to differences in anatomy, some effects will be more severe for women.
Physical Health Risks for Both Men and Women
1. Neck and Spine Strain
• Holding the head in a downward or fixed position without proper support leads to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and cervical spine issues.
• The vibrations and uneven movement of the tractor add micro-traumas to the neck and spine, making long-term damage more likely.
2. Lower Back and Shoulder Stress
• Unlike a massage table (where pressure is even and the body is relaxed), this setup requires active engagement of the back and shoulders to maintain stability.
• Over time, this can lead to chronic muscle tension, joint pain, and even nerve compression (like pinched nerves).
3. Breathing Issues & Lung Irritation
• Lying close to the ground means workers are inhaling dirt, dust, pesticides, and allergens for hours at a time.
• This can cause irritation of the airways, lung inflammation, and increased risk of respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis.
• Being face-down for prolonged periods also compresses the diaphragm, making deep breathing harder.
4. Circulation Problems & Nerve Compression
• Being in a fixed position for long hours reduces blood circulation, especially in the arms, legs, and face.
• Over time, this can lead to numbness, tingling, and in extreme cases, nerve damage (like carpal tunnel or thoracic outlet syndrome).
• The prone position can also increase pressure on veins, leading to swelling in the hands and feet.
5. Vision Strain & Headaches
• Holding the head in a downward position for hours can cause eye strain, dizziness, and headaches, especially if workers must focus on tiny weeds in bright sunlight.
• The blood flow to the brain may be slightly restricted, leading to lightheadedness or even temporary cognitive impairment after long shifts.
6. Heat Stress & Sun Exposure
• Workers in this position are unable to move freely, meaning their ability to cool off naturally is reduced.
• If the platform is not shaded, they are at higher risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn.
Unique Risks for Women in This Position
1. Breast Discomfort and Pain
• Lying face-down for hours can cause pressure on the breasts, leading to pain, bruising, and even long-term tissue damage.
• For women with larger breasts, this can lead to circulation issues, nerve compression, and severe discomfort.
• Breast tissue is not designed to bear weight, so prolonged pressure can cause inflammation, pain, and potential long-term damage to connective tissue.
2. Reproductive Health Concerns
• If the pelvis and abdomen are compressed, it may cause discomfort or pain in the uterus and lower abdominal organs.
• Menstrual discomfort may be worsened by pressure on the lower abdomen, leading to cramps, bloating, and pain.
• Over time, restricted blood flow in the pelvic area could lead to circulatory issues, making periods more painful and irregular.
3. Increased Risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) & Hygiene Issues
• Sweat, heat, and prolonged pressure in the pelvic area increase the risk of UTIs, yeast infections, and skin irritation.
• No easy bathroom access during long shifts forces women to hold in urine, which can increase UTI risk.
4. Breastfeeding & Postpartum Issues
• For mothers who recently gave birth or are breastfeeding, prolonged chest compression can block milk ducts, cause inflammation, and increase the risk of mastitis (a painful infection of the breast tissue).
• Postpartum women often experience weaker pelvic muscles, meaning lying prone for long periods can cause discomfort or even pelvic pain.
Unique Risks for Men
1. Pressure on the Groin & Genital Discomfort
• Lying prone for long periods can compress the groin area, leading to pain, reduced circulation, and potential nerve damage.
• Prolonged heat exposure can affect testicular health, potentially impacting sperm production and fertility over time.
2. Prostate Health Risks
• Prolonged pelvic pressure in this position may contribute to discomfort or inflammation in the prostate.
• If combined with vibrations from the tractor, it could potentially worsen symptoms of chronic prostatitis or pelvic pain syndrome.
Psychological & Emotional Effects
1. Loss of Autonomy & Dehumanization
• Being face-down, passive, and pulled behind a machine removes personal agency, making workers feel powerless and trapped.
• This reinforces exploitative labor dynamics where workers are treated as replaceable parts of a system rather than human beings.
2. Increased Workplace Stress & Mental Fatigue
• The physical discomfort, monotony, and lack of freedom to move naturally can lead to stress, burnout, and even depression in workers who must endure this for long hours.
Would This Ever Be Acceptable in Other Industries?
If a desk worker was told to lie face-down for an 8-hour shift, there would be instant lawsuits for ergonomic failure.
If a factory job required employees to hold their head in one position while being jostled around, there would be workplace injury claims within weeks.
So why is it acceptable in farming?
The answer is simple: Because people see farm laborers—especially women—as disposable.
Final Verdict: This Setup is Not Just Uncomfortable—It’s Dangerous
This isn’t just bad design—it’s actively harmful to the human body.
• Neck, spine, and joint damage
• Circulatory issues and nerve compression
• Respiratory risks from dust and soil inhalation
• Breast and pelvic pain for women
• Groin pressure and prostate risks for men
• Mental and emotional distress from being placed in a dehumanizing position
So, What’s the Solution?
This setup should be banned. Period.
There are better, safer, and more humane ways to weed crops, including:
✅ Standing or seated weeders with adjustable support
✅ AI-powered weeders that reduce the need for manual labor
✅ Mechanized solutions that prioritize worker comfort
Farm workers deserve the same level of ergonomic care and respect as any other profession.
Would any of the men designing or defending this contraption be willing to lie face-down for 10-hour shifts while being dragged through the dirt?
If the answer is no, then this setup should never have been designed in the first place.