16
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1987
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION WHICH HAS ACCEPTED THE STUDENT. THE CLOSING DATE IS MAY 1.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
VMO THROUGHPUT UP BY 17 PER CENT
*****
LOCAL FARMERS PRODUCED 158 000 TONNES OF VEGETABLES LAST YEAR, UP BY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 1985, MEETING 34 PÉR CENT OF THE PUBLIC DEMAND, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 35TH TERM COMMITTEE OF THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, HE SAID THAT DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE AMOUNT OF VEGETABLES MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VNO) INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT TO 170 000 TONNES, OF THIS, 90 000 TONNES OF THE VMO THROUGHPUT CAME FROM VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES,
+HONG KONG IS A FREE MARKET WHERE COMPETITION FROM IMPORT PRODUCTS PREVAILS. IF EFFORTS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY COULD BE MAINTAINED, THE LOCAL FARMING INDUSTRY WOULD REMAIN COMPETITIVE,+ HE SAID.
+TO THIS END, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL FARMERS IN ADDITION TO PROMOTING THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT AMONG THEM.
+THESE, COUPLED WITH WHOLESALE MARKETING SERVICES RENDERED BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, HAVE DONE MUCH IN RAISING THE PRODUCTIVITY AND MARKETING EFFICIENCY OF VEGETABLE FARMERS.+
DR LEE PRAISED THE FEDERATION FOR ITS IMPRESSIVE EFFORTS IN HELPING FARMERS WHICH INCLUDED THE CO-OPERATIVE SALE OF PLASTIC VEGETABLE CONTAINERS, HIGH QUALITY PESTICIDES AND ROTARY CULTIVATORS.
IN VIEW OF THE SUCCESS OF THE FARMERS' STUDY VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES LAST YEAR. HE SAID A SIMILAR VISIT TO AUSTRALIA WAS BEING PLANNED IN APRIL THIS YEAR TO ENABLE MORE VEGETABLE FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM SUCH EXPERIENCE.
/17