ENGINEERING A PEST-REPELLING MECHANISM FOR RICE FIELDS IN NIGERIA

This project address the persistent challenge of pest management in rice plantations through the development of a pest scaring mechanism with sound and lighting systems. Pests such as rodents and birds pose significant threats to rice crops, leading to substantial economic losses and environmental concerns. Traditional pest control methods often fall short in providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Hence, this study proposes a multifaceted approach that combines time component with sound and lighting systems to effectively deter pests during both day and night. The primary objective is to design, develop, and implement a holistic pest management solution tailored specifically for rice plantations. The project involves the design and integration of scare crows, time component, sound, and lighting systems into a cohesive unit. The outcome of the project is the creation of a versatile and environmentally friendly pest scaring mechanism capable of protecting rice crops round-the-clock while promoting agricultural sustainability. This study holds significance in providing rice farmers with an innovative tool to combat pests, reduce crop damage, and enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner. The result evaluated the importance of the modernized scarecrow over the traditional scarecrow, the modernized scarecrow’s varied sound and light reduced pest activities considerably, it is more effective, leading to much lower percentages of damaged crop. The modernized scarecrow resulted in higher crop yields due to reduced pest interference. It has higher upfront costs due to the technology but lowers long-term costs by reducing reliance on pesticides and repairs. A significant reduction in pesticide usage was recorded with the modernized scarecrow, the use of minimal power, sustained through solar energy makes it effective for longer period of time. Due to better performance and ease of use, the modernized scarecrow gives higher satisfaction