FARM VISIT OBSERVATION

SUNRISE FARM
Rani Pati Village, Sita Paila, Kathmandu, Nepal

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

1. Introduction
The farm is located in Sita Paila are of Kathmandu city, Nepal. My stay at the farm was from
17 July- 23 July 2014.
2. Observation Farm & House
The following are my observations during my stay about the farm & the house.
Poor utilization of farm land

Many areas on the farm are underutilized or left naturally to grow. Especially the corner &
upper areas.
No zoning implemented
Multiple storages places for firewood

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

The firewood is stored all over the farm & the house. These firewood are subject to rain and
once wet cannot be used when required. Few these areas are inaccessible to collect the
firewood when required.
Poor accessibility to all farm levels & to the pond

The farm is at different levels and lack a defined pathways makes few areas inaccessible for
visitors. The pond holds a potential as active public space but is neglected and is underutilized.
No office space for farm activity
The house/farm lacks a dedicated office space/gathering space for visitors/volunteers where
the discussions/meeting/training etc work can happen.
Lack of information/knowledge dissipation for visitors/guests
The sunrise farm & its owners have done a lot of work in organic farming & permaculture, but
their works are not disseminated to general public. There is need for information bulletin or
notice boards or displays where information & knowledge can be displayed.

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

3. Sunrise Farm Recommendations

Space Utilization
All levels and spaces on the farm to be utilized to their fullest. The narrow areas in the farm
not to be neglected and to be put to use for short term crop production.
Zoning
As the major crop (paddy) requires flat areas for cultivation, the permaculture zones on the
farm can be as defined as per the farm requirements. The upper levels & narrow areas to be
designed as per farm needs.
Pathways
A dedicated pathway is required making all parts of farm accessible for all ages and making
daily farm activities convenient for users at all levels.

Examples of pathways
Farm office space
Go vertical not horizontal and use low cost & local construction materials.
As the space on the farm is scarce, the office space to be placed on the upper level of the
house. The house terrace & the staircase area can be effectively converted in office space.
The terrace roof can be constructed with low cost material such as old tiles or regionally used
roof materials (if in practices such as straw roof).

Roof of CGI sheets or cement/mud tiles.

If using CGI sheets, a layer of mud can be added for natural heat insulation.

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

Straw roof

Plz follow the link for information & guidance for constructing with bamboo & sundried bricks
etc.
http://habitatnepal.org/House_model.php
Visitors Gallery
A display for farm activities is required to educate & spread the information to
visitors/volunteers alike. A low cost display for farm activities can be made by using old
cardboard boxes.

Examples of use of cardboard for display purposes

The farms past volunteer visit pictures, past training activities and various publications can be
pasted on them for public viewing. This is an interactive way to connect with visitors and
dissipate the knowledge and info about the farm.
Design area around the pond
A pathway can be designed around or leading to pond. Thus making it a recreational/ meeting
space. Few design elements can be incorporated in and around pond such as stones, water
plants, a Buddha, seating around and paved pathway leading to pond. These features can
enhance the area around the pond.

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

Current status of pond

Example of Aesthetically designed pond

Clean Up & House Maintenance

Feng Shui - More clutter less progress.
The house & farm requires de-cluttering from accumulated not required items. Thus making
space for farm office & storage for necessary things.
Lets make life easier for the lovely mother

The mother works hard in the farm as well as in the home, lets incorporate technologies to
easy her day-to-activities.
A) Low Smoke Chula (stove)
The Low Smoke Stove is a low-tech solution to enable healthy indoor cooking. This stove has
been developed to fight the ill-effects of indoor air-pollution, a silent threat that is the cause of
respiratory problems in many households.
The foremost benefits of the Low Smoke Stove is that it provides a safer home environment
for families, reduces the risk of respiratory illness, and supports indigenous fuels and ways of
cooking.

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

Follow the link for installing & making one such.

http://www.lowsmokechulha.com/index.php?title=The_Chulha_Concept
B) Firewood Storage
Any dedicated are for firewood is required to better accessibility & away from weather
conditions. The roof of cow shed can be used to store firewood. Another level to cowshed roof
to be added for this storage.
Anotherlevelcanbeaddedonthecowshed
forfirewoodstorage.

Few bamboo can be placed at corners of as polls and straw roof can be added over the
cowshed, wherein firewood can be stored.

Farm Visit Observation

Sunrise Farm, Kathmandu

Straw roof over cowshed

Disclaimer
The all above observations & recommendations, are personal. Sunrise farm has right to accept
or reject the above. The above comments are not meant to hurt the feelings of the farm owners
or pass comments on current scenario of the farm.
I hope with above recommendations, we can improve & make sunrise farm an active
permaculture place.

Farm Visit Observation