Improving labour productivity in apple harvesting

Abstract

Very little study has been done on ways ofimproving labour productivity in horticulture in New Zealand. Productivity can be increased by increasingoutput and/or lowering inputs. In apple harvesting output can be raised by increasing the picking rate. Inputs can be lowered by lowering costs to the grower. Various factors affect picking rate. A number of these were selected for study and measured. Cropcondition was defined by the measurements of thesefactors. A work measurement technique was used to relate differences in picker performance to differences in crop condition, and to predict appropriate picking times. Different rates of pick under different crop conditions were related to different piece rates of pay via an "intended level of earnings" based on the award hourly rate plus allowances for holiday pay and a performance-related bonus. This variable piece rate system of payment enabled picker output to be increased by its incentive characteristic, and growers harvesting labour costs to be minimized by relating the per unit cost of picking the fruit to the crop condition. One main advantage of the variable piece rate system is that different rates are set according to objective measurements rather than subjective estimates. Another advantage is that the system outlined enables productivity-per man to be raised at much lower cost than by mechanizing harvesting operations.