DQ Farm (est. 1991)

Bal received our competency certificate in biochar production a couple of weeks ago.

We are very happy with the quality work he is producing  now without supervison:

And am especially proud to see this early in the morning when I dropped in:

This is the work of someone who really cares about his work.  He makes sure that no oxygen can enter the drum resulting in the still hot biochar catching fire, hence reducing the available biochar for use.  I have not seen this before with previous workers. A few times, the entire biochar have turned to ashes due to their 'tidapathy' attitude.  They were just doing their job.  Bal however, cares.

When we run a farm, it is crucial that our workers take ownership of their work.  And this calls for proper training and most important, recognition. 

Here's Lal, another great Nepal worker smashing up the biochar for use in the litter:

Our workers come from distant villages in the Himalayas.  They come of course to earn much needed hard cash.  But more than that we make sure they return home with new knowledge and skills to increase productivity without resorting to chemicals. When they achieve competency in a specific area, they get a certificate.  Our farm have a long list of Nepalese who want to work for us.

Here's Santa Kumar receiving his competency certificates from Pak Cik Razaly the farm manager.  Looking on is the farm supervisor, Dilli Prasad.

Santa received his certificates in composting and in marcotting.

He showed that he could independently produce compost on a schedule so that supply is never cut off.  He could ensure that temperatures are reached so that pathogens are destroyed.  He always gets the carbon: nitrogen ratio right.  

Certificate in composting

He does marcotting of fruit trees independently with no supervision and has close to 100% success.

 Certificate in Marcotting

We award certificates for competency in a wide range of farm work – from taking care of specific crops, for example, sweet potatoes, spinach, etc., to making high quality cement posts, to poultry necropsy and disease identification.

When they return to Nepal, they can either be better farmers, or they can use the certificates to train others or to earn better wages from their next employer.