Winter is an important time for farmers, as many vulnerable crops need to be cultivated through the cold months. At this time of year, protecting the crops from marauding birds is a major task. But the scarecrows of days gone by are getting a high-tech update. Agriculturalists in Hualien have invented a gadget to help farmers out. It uses lasers to scare birds away from the fields. Let''s now head to Hualien to see it in action.
A beam of green light sweeps over the field.
Birds take flight as soon as the light lands near them. These farmers are relieved to have their crops safe, thanks to this high-tech scarecrow.
Chen Po-jui
Farmer
As soon as the light hits, you see the birds rise into the sky like a big black cloud, as they fly away.
Lin Yi-wei
Hualien Agricultural Research & Extension Center
What we developed is a new kind of laser bird-scaring technology. At the top we have the laser, and it’s fitted with a timer which controls it and makes it sweep across in a random sequence. It’s also fitted with a solar energy system.
Birds can be a major pest for farmers. This new invention from Hualien Agricultural Research and Extension Center can be programmed to different schedules for different crops or bird species. Its random timer prevents birds from adapting to its movements. It’s much more efficient than manual efforts at scaring birds away.
Chen Po-jui
Farmer
We used to wave colored ribbons and set off firecrackers. The birds would work out the schedule, and when we were about to come, they would suddenly fly off, and after we were done crashing around, a few minutes later they’d fly back. However, with this device, the sequences are irregular, so it’s harder for the birds to get used to its pattern.
The device is effective at protecting crops from marauders, but doesn’t do the birds any damage. Farmers are also happy to have one fewer task on their to-do list. For NT$10,000, it seems like a good investment.