PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
used mainly for market gardening. In the New Territories, there is a considerable area of paddy fields, cultivated largely by tenant farmers, but industrial and other development is tending to encroach upon this agricultural land in certain areas.
Land Utilization
Two important projects were completed in the year under review. A land utilization map was prepared by Dr. Tregear of Hong Kong University which depicts, on a scale of 1 in 80,000, built up areas, badly eroded areas, woodlands, grasslands, swamp lands and farm lands. A detailed survey of farm lands was carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry which reveals that 13% of the total land area of the Colony has been developed for agriculture and animal industries.
Cultivated areas are mainly confined to the coastal plain in the northwestern part of the mainland and the numerous small valleys which open out on to the narrow flats. Smaller valleys in the higher country are being developed where soils are good and water supply is adequate. Elsewhere, close to urban market com- munications, hillsides and narrow valleys are being terraced for the raising of vegetable crops.
The nature of the terrain precludes any extensive. development of agriculture and the main form of land utilization, involving about 70-80,000 acres, will be by afforestation. This is being carried out as fast as is practicable under an approved forest policy. It is possible that agriculture can be extended over about 40,000 acres or 16% of the total land area and this can
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