Furse Khola Organic Farm
In 2000, pursuing another, more personal dream, Douglas established Furse Khola Organic Farm which today provides a home for himself, his wife Insuba, and daughters Fiona and Aisha. As the farm developed and the implementing of organic methods of farming began to pay off, Douglas realised there was more than enough produce from his four acres to sustain his own family.
Douglas soon found himself employing eight full time employees and producing enough vegetables, milk and eggs to send them daily to the Jyoti Projects, providing both income for the farm and fresh, healthy food for the Project’s students and street children.
Why Organic?
Technically speaking, organic food is produced according to specific regulated standards. Here in Nepal there are no such regulations, just as there is no regulation as to how much synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can or cannot be used. Traditional farming in Nepal did indeed take place without the use of artificial substances and it is only in more recent years that influence from neighbouring countries (usually by the producers of synthetic additives) has lead to the introduction of non-organic farming methods.
Studies have shown that even when properly handled, pesticides can still end up in the bodies of farmers and food handlers; organic techniques do not lead to such exposures. And, naturally, organic methods don’t harm wildlife and encourages the practise of crop rotation and produces less waste. In fact, there are numerous studies demonstrating how the long term impact of GMS, chemicals and soil pollutants have a destructive affect on land, animals and people. But these studies are not available to the average Nepali farmer.
Better then to show through demonstration the benefits of returning to organic farming practices. This is both a challenge and a passion for Douglas…
“Organic farming is like balancing nature – we should only expect to reap what we sew. At Furse Khola Organic Farm we want to show other farmers how it is possible to get back to sustainable agriculture through organic farming. With 85% of the population engaged in farming it is vital to re-introduce these eco friendly techniques back into Nepal. If we treat nature cruelly by pouring chemicals and pesticides into her, how can we expect her to repay us with abundant crops?”
Produce
On Furse Khola Organic Farm we grow a wide variety of crops and raise chickens and goats as well as keeping cows for milk and ghee. Some of our produce include; coriander; garlic; ginger; cauliflowers; potatoes; cucumber; loca; lady fingers; onions; egg plant; rice; wheat; corn; tomatoes; carrots; radishes; spinach – in fact, mostly all the farm produce grown throughout Asia. Among the two items we don’t produce are strawberries (Scotland’s favourite!) and honey. And of course, it is all organic!
