( Located at Hill Top)
( Oil palm surrounding area)
( Man at work!)
( roof removed to make way for concrete slab)
(still in good condition)
(The surrounding area next to the bungalow has been cleared for birds smooth landing)
(additional reinforcement with concrete )
( extension to make it bigger)I always believe in recycling and don’t waste, also don’t simply spend when it is not necessary when it comes to Swiftlet farming. Though many might disagree with me but that is my principle. So what if you have plenty of money that is not the way to do things must well donate it to the poor and the needing ones.
Mr. A from South had wanted to build 2 storey standalone Swiftlet farm at his Oil palm plantation. He has been looking for people to help him out. His intention was to have a 2 storey farm which covers the size of 1200sf per floor. He wanted to have his farm built on the small hill that is next an old bungalow and the budget was secondary.
Mr.A had been trying to get hold of me many times but failed as most of the time I was in outstation building and revamping farms.
Finally we meet up after couple of weeks later as usual after many postponements of appointment. He explained to me about his ideas and plans about building a Swiftlet farm on his land and wanted to engage me to supervise the project.
I explained to him, “Mr.A before you start my suggestion is that you should do an area test and land survey to understand the environment there. This would help you to determine the type of farm (design), sizes and so on.”
Mr.A replied, I didn’t know about that. So I explained to him and we set a date to visit the said area.
It was beautiful area surrounded with Oil palm trees. Indeed a good area for farming. We did a sound test within minute there were few hundred Swiftlets circling above my BTK. As far as the area concerned birds are not the problem.
Around this area there are many commercial chicken farms. This creates many type of flies and insects which are part of the food chain (not those big black flies). Have you all ever wondered why Setiawan is so famous when come to Swiftlets farming? And where does Ayam Dinding comes from? (Do some thinking!)
While doing the land survey I suggested to Mr.A instead of building a 2 storey farm it is much better to convert the old bungalow to a Swiftlet farm. It would save you money and secondly the old bungalow materials are still good, why want to waste. Thirdly the bungalow was at top of a small hill which is the highest peak.
The buildup of the bungalow is approximately 46x 70ft . That is 3220 sf which is bigger than a 2 storey 20x70sf which is 2800sf. Mr.A doesn’t need a high building because the bungalow was at a hill top.
If other consultants were taken to see this land I am very sure 110% they would have asked Mr.A to build a new farm, the bigger the better. Why want to save money? It is not their money. Isn’t a consultant aim is to make money? The bigger the project the bigger cut they would earn.
Mr.A was delighted and at the same time very happy. “James, I never thought of that. I thought of demolishing the old bungalow and build a new farm. That would have cost double. Thank you so much for your wise suggestion”.
Well I always believe in spending wisely and don’t waste. Most of all making a good farm and teaching those sincere ones who really want to learn.