Kenny Ng / 14-Jan-08
This is my first farm report. The monthly report is intended to be an update of major farm activities, the lo-light, the hi-light, the problems, the accomplishments, the laughs and probably the cries too, to my valuable customers, friends and relatives. It will be circulated to my customers and also posted to the webpage. I think I have to force myself to write it every month though. And my English writing, hmm… pai-say lah (Hockien dialect). Sorry, I hope I can convey the message well.
Major activities
-01-Dec, host 33 persons on a CETDEM organized trip, for 2D/1N.
-07-Dec, re-route piping at neighbors land as requested, Spent a thousand for additional 3 rolls of 63mm poly-pipe!
-08-Dec, host 5 young doctors from Ipoh General Hospital, for 2D/1N.
-11-Dec, built a 4-bed rain shelter at plot B. Total number of rain shelters ending Dec 07 is 11.
Lo-light
- One worker took a month leave to gather durians in her orchard. Left with 4 workers.
- One worker worked only 18 days and another worked only 22 days in Dec.
- Many works postponed especially getting organic material for compost and making more rain shelters.
Hi-light
- Lee May visited more often during the school holidays. She planted more flowers and herbs around the house.
- Many friends and relatives visited also. Some did help in farm work like weeding, pruning, harvesting and packing.
- Kailan grew well with direct sowing. Transplanted some during thinning.
- Bayam grew better than previous months. No rusty leaves.
- Radish grew better than previous months. No pin-hole problem in the middle of the tuber.
- Obtained NASAA certification (in conversion to organic).
Problems
- All the fruiting cucumber plants, on all 4 beds were attacked by pest, roots been eaten up. Subsequent sowing on different beds was also not successful. Need to stop at least 3 months before planting cucumber again, from advice given.
- Many Lady’s fingers plants died off when started fruiting. Attacked by pest. Plants from different locations showed the same problem. Guess the soil fertility and ecological balance were not established yet.
- Most papaya fruits got white patches on skin, look like fungi type. Suspect the wrapping caused the skin problem. Have removed all the wrapping.
Accomplishments
- Few customers said sawi, bayam and lettuce tastes good! Happy to hear lah….
- Dec output was 340kg. Increased from the previous 3 months. The Sep, Oct and Nov were 150Kg, 224Kg and 141Kg respectively. The target is monthly 1,000Kg (1 ton) by end year, achievable based on the possible plot areas.
Laughs
Can’t think of any worth mentioning. Maybe I do not laugh often myself!
Cries
Not yet. Hopefully will be none in the future.
“All in one and interrelated.” …… Sri Aurobindo
Before I forget, it is very important for me to take this opportunity, on this first report to thank many people, along the way who have contributed to the realization of my wildest dream, the establishment of Green Wish Vegi Garden.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to:
- Ms Tan or Siew as more popularly known, the CETDEM Organic Farming Project Coordinator, for providing continuous inspiration, many learning opportunities and networking, locally as well as internationally.
- Mr. Philip Leong, for getting me this beautiful farmland in Chenderiang. He and his wife, Su Win, for providing networking with many of their friends, relatives and the Asli folks in the village; for allowing water pipes passing through their land. They are my best neighbors.
- Mr. KS Tan of Vision Farm, who unselfishly shared his farming knowledge and experiences.
- Mr. Loh of Loh’s Organic Veg-Garden, a consultant, for providing me valuable guidance in setting up the farm in a short possible time frame.
- Mr. Fung of Hati Ku Organic and Mr. Jason Ho of Ho Organic who had given me valuable advises during my visit to them.
- My Asli workers, especially Edas, Acoit and Amy, who have stayed on since the beginning.
- Kwan Wai, my new friend, the owner of Pandan Hill farm in Chenderiang, for introducing many suppliers in nearby towns.
- Mr. Robert Percival, my caving ‘kaki’, for getting and maintaining the website.
- Ms Evelyn Selvarajah, my very first direct customer in Ipoh, for giving continuous encouragement and motivation. She keeps assured me that I do the right thing for the future generations.
- Many customers and supporters in Tapah, Ipoh and Bukit Mertajam (my home town), for having confidence in my produce.
- My brothers and sister, relatives and many friends who do understand and support me in becoming a farmer.
- Lee May, my wife who endorsed the idea of going into organic farming, for supporting and assisting in setting up the farm.
- My daughters, Ze Wen and Ze Qi for bearing with the reduced time I have to spend with them while they are still schooling in Bukit Mertajam.
Thank you very much!
