Apart from weeds and pests, insects, birds and other types of wild animals have remained sources of worry to farmers.
These birds and rodents such as ewi, ululu, nchi and other wild animals attack crops, thereby reducing the quality and quantity of farm produce.
To mitigate these impacts, farmers have continued to maintain the age-long practice of keeping scarecrows popularly called “Mmanwu agu” in Igbo land to scare away such ‘enemies’ from farms.
Correspondent, Blessing Dennis reports that scarecrows are mostly built with recycled materials into human shape to scare away these animals that perceive the scarecrows as real humans.
Beneath the surface, it is also believed that scarecrows ward off evil forces.
But, how effective are these scarecrows in protecting the farms against wild animals and birds? Are there no better options?
Mr Okechukwu Mbonu, a farmer with over ten years’ experience in farming different varieties of crops, explained that scarecrows are designed to be strong and frightening so that when seen, the animals or birds are actually scared away.
Mr Mbonu, who is from Amata village in Isiagu, Awka South Local Council Area of Anambra State, appealed to the State Government to create better avenues for farmers who are not engaged in large scale farming to be given farm input, under the “Ugbo Azụ Ụnọ” initiative.
An ABS staff, who farms under the “Ugbo Azụ Ụnọ” initiative, Mrs Eucharia Nwachukwu, said the scarecrows prevent animals from penetrating farms and have been of great advantage in her farming activities.
She underscored the importance of adopting the method to increase the quality and quantity of farm produce, so as to end hunger and starvation.
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