CORPORAL Nanda Ravi (38) of the Sri Lanka Army 3rd Gemunu Regiment, a resident of Talalla Kekanadura in Matara has produced a 'talking' scare-crow which can drive away birds that threaten ripe paddy fields.
The life-size contraption which resembles a man has a voice tape which can be activated and switched off through the mobile phone in the form of a 'missed call'.
Once activated it raises a loud taped voice, sho sho, sho, sho which can be heard to a distance of over a half a mile and its hands move up and down resembling that of a man in the paddy field.
Corporal Nanda Ravi who successfully tested his creation in a field to the bewilderment of a large congregation of farmer families in the area, said it cost him only Rs, 7,000 to assemble. The scare-crow operates on a rechargeable 12 volt motor cycle battery.
It can service even a 50 acre paddy field if it is installed in the centre.
Farmers could even use it on their chenas.
It also saves time and energy of farmer families who would otherwise have to spend most of their day time in fields to protect their ripe paddies from birds until harvesting. (Courtesy: Daily News)
