Visit to DQ Farm
I got to know about this unique farm when the owner, Mr. HS Wong dropped by this blog and made an encouraging comment. We got to communicate over email and Mr. Wong extended a kind invitation for me to visit his farm. Of course, I accepted.
Mr. Wong, at his “office”. Clearly no corporate office can compare with the natural serenity this office gives him. No wonder he looks so contended. I also suspect he is a Chi Qong master, which may help explain his very youthful looks.
The farm is situated about 20 kms from KL along the old Bentong road. An almost deserted winding road lined on both sides by tall trees and vegetation that gives a very cooling and soothing effect.
Mr. Wong started the DQ Farm more than 20 years ago. There were some stoppages etc. along the way but now the farm is, as he says, is lot more than viable. Mr. Wong did not talk much about his past during my 2 hour stay at the farm, but his blog mentions that he spent many years at the very top of corporate Malaysia before calling it quits to go green.
A firm believer in reducing waste, the farm recycles everything. The theory and practice is that from the initial input of chicken feed (which he formulates and cooks at the farm, by the way), the chicken and their waste are all used or sold. The end products from this chicken business are used in his other divisions, i.e. fishes, bees, vegetables as well as goats.
Mr. Wong is obviously well read and very knowledgeable on farming and the benefits of our local herbal vegetation. He took me through the creation of fertile black soil from the leaves and the chickens that were culled. Just like what the great forests do….he says.
One of the bee hives
There were just too many things that I found fascinating. For example, he has an ingenious way to trap fly maggots for his fish fry to eat. By this method, not only does he keep his farm fly free, but gets free feed for his fries too.
One of Mr. Wong’s ingenious ideas. The mother flies enter the tin through holes punched along the sides (top) attracted by some “food” left in the tin. Then they find themselves unable to come out and lay their eggs. When hatched, the maggots crawl out of the holes at the bottom sides of the tin and fall into the water. Where they are eaten by the fish fry!
The waste water from the chicken sheds is routed into what he calls his mini wetlands. Perhaps one day he might even secure Ramsar certification. Dotted with fruit trees, vegetables and herbal plants (he showed me a pegaga plant with the greenest leaves I have ever seen). All growing happily and healthily with the generous input of natural fertliser.
Another juicy tidbit that he mentioned was the using of the “pokok pagar” or Gliricidia Sepium as a natural nitrogen replenisher for soil. He has a write up about this tree on his blog. It seems that the local name is Bunga Jepun. I have never heard this name, and must check up on it.
He gave me an outline briefing on his organic chicken business. I mentioned about our initial foray into ayam kampung. He has given me some very useful ideas to follow up on.
I am truly grateful to Google who must have led Mr. Wong to my blog, which in turn led me to him and DQ Farm. I hope that this initial meeting will grow into a warm relationship.
Once again, Mr. Wong, thank you for your kind hospitality. I look forward to reciprocating your kindness if you should ever drop by our farm. And please consider this as a standing invitation.
Mr. Anwar, thank you for your generous comments.
One of the other things I did not have a chance to show you was how we make charcoal powder (not ash) from leaves, branches, etc. to fertilise the soil together with the compost.
It is rudimentary technology but it helps farmers to reduce fertiliser costs substantially.
Because it is a permanent store of carbon, it will help tremendously to reduce global warming.
Mr. Wong,
The pleasure was all mine. I hope to come by your farm many more times to learn. I am sure I’ll learn something new each time. The charcoal,your compost, the feed you make for the chickens, the miracle tree, etc
I have a couple of things that I have to sort out at Ladang Fatima now. Once that is taken care off, I’ll give you a call.
Best regards