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PRIMARY PRODUCTION
management for coxswains, engineers and radiotelephone operators working on fishing boats are organised in the main fishing centres.
Education is provided for the children of fishermen at 13 schools run by the Fish Marketing Organisation. At the end of 1985, more than 2 900 children were attending these schools. A further 31 were attending other schools on scholarships awarded by the organisation.
Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through liaison with producer associations and fishermen's co-operative societies. Ten Fish Marketing Organisation liaison offices operate in the main fishing centres to provide a link with the fishermen.
Loans
Loans are available to the agricultural industry through three main loan funds: the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, the J E. Joseph Trust Fund and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation Loan Fund. All are administered by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
By December 31,-1985, loans issued since the inception of these three funds had reached a total of $219 million. Of this, $207 million had been repaid.
The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with capital of $7 million, is administered by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries specifically for developing the fishing fleet.
Finance from the World Refugee Year Loan Fund for Co-operative Societies, donated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1962, is also available to members of fishermen's co-operative societies.
The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, which has operated as a revolving loan. fund since January 1, 1983, by the transfer of funds from the organisation's surplus and deficit account, is another important source of loan finance for fishermen. At the end of 1985, the fund capital was $16 million.
The department administers another revolving loan fund, financed by the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), specifically for shrimp fishermen.
By December 31, 1985, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $154 million, of which $131 million had been repaid.
Co-operative societies operate under a Co-operative Societies Ordinance, which provides for the appointment of a registrar - the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries. His powers and duties relate to the registration of co-operative societies and their by-laws, the auditing of accounts, inspection and enquiry, general supervision of operations, and such matters as mediation in disputes and dissolution of co-operative societies when necessary.
At the end of the year, some 12 230 farmers and 1 870 fishermen were members of co-operative societies.
There were 74 societies and two federations among the farming community, and 67 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk.
Land Usage
Hong Kong's land area totals 1 068 square kilometres. Of this, 9.0 per cent is used for farming, 74.5 per cent is marginal land with different degrees of sub-grade character, and built-up areas comprise the remaining 16.5 per cent.
The need to establish new towns and expand residential areas in the New Territories has resulted in an encroachment on agricultural land. The effect of the losses in the total area of agricultural land, however, has been offset by more intensive farming on remaining areas. The Lands Department is responsible for land administration throughout Hong Kong.