XN000022-1978-06-05 — Page 4

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1978

GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING POSSIBILITIES OF SUB-LETTING FALLOW LAND IN NT FOR FARMING

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THE GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING POSSIBILITIES OF SUB-LETTING ABANDONED AND FALLOW LAND IN THE NEL TERRITORIES FOR AGRICULTURAL CULTIVATION.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR. C.T. WONG AT THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DINNER IN THE HONG KONG HOTEL.

MR. WONG SAID THE AGRICULTURAL LAND IN HONG KONG OF 30,000 ACRES REPRESENTED ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LAND MASS.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, OWNERS OF FALLOW LAND WERE UNWILLING TO LEASE THEIR PROPERTY TO FARMERS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT ONCE THE LAND WAS LEASED, THEY WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING IT BACK.

+THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING INTO POSSIBILITIES OF RENTING LAND FROM LANDLORDS AND SUB-LETTING THE LAND TO FARMERS ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

+ IF THE PLAN WORKS, OWNERS OF LAND CAN BE ASSURED OF CONTROL OF THEIR OWN LAND AND FARMERS ILL HAVE MORE LAND TO CULTIVATE FOR THEIR LIVING, SAID DR. WONG,

HE ADDED THAT A PILOT SCHEME WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED AT PING CHE AND TA KWU LING AREAS."

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