PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
105
It is estimated that during 1957 the total area under cultiva- tion remained unchanged, but this was achieved only because the decreases in cultivated land near towns were statistically compensated for by the re-opening of neglected land on hills and in less accessible areas. It cannot be expected that this balance will be maintained indefinitely.
In view of the pressure of rapid industrial expansion on land requirements, more hillside land is being opened for agricultural purposes. Large areas are also required for settling people who have been assisted by various welfare organizations to take up farming. In order to have some idea of the potential agricultural value of the available land, most of which is marginal, the Government is making use of the services of experts from the Colonial Pool of Soil Sur- veyors, and an examination of the soils of the Colony is now under way.
Indispensable adjuncts to the agricultural development of neglected land are improved communications and irrigation. Here the Government has received considerable assistance from Colonial Development and Welfare funds (see Appendix I), and from the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association. The parts of the New Territories to which particular attention is being given are the Sha Tau Kok and Sai Kung regions, and Lantao Island.
There is a Rural Development Committee, appointed by the Governor in June 1954, with official and unofficial mem- bers, under the Chairmanship of the District Commissioner, New Territories. Its duties are to advise the Government on all matters relating to New Territories development, in particular to the extension of agricultural credit and the preparation of Colonial Development and Welfare schemes.
AGRICULTURE
The annual production of milled rice is estimated at 18,188.44 metric tons, which is only sufficient to support the Colony's population for a little less than a month. The