ENG-1954 — Page 114

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

tion during the year. The Vegetable Marketing Organization in 1954 handled 60,696 tons of locally produced vegetables as against 50,401 tons of local produce in 1953. The increase from 19,440 tons handled in 1947 to 60,696 tons handled in 1954 is a remarkable achievement and particularly since quality of the vegetables has not deteriorated.

The Nightsoil Distribution Scheme for supplying cheap fertilizer to farmers started by the Vegetable Marketing Organization in 1952 has also contributed to the increase in the production of local vegetables.

The Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, 1952, under which the Marketing Organization operates, provides for the appointment of the Director of Mar- keting as a corporation sole, and an Advisory Board consisting of the Director of Marketing as Chairman and other persons nominated by Government.

The Organization's revolving fund for vegetable farmers is still very popular. At the end of the year a total of 1,255 farmers had benefited from short-term loans amounting to $315,824.00. In addition to this fund the J. E. Joseph Trust Fund was inaugurated in July 1954 in order to encourage and improve agriculture in the New Territories. By the end of the year 487 farmers had received loans through their Co-operative Societies amounting to $130,220.00 from this fund. Assistance received in the form of grants from the Colonial Development & Welfare Fund during 1954 amounted to $22,087.50. The sum of $149,968.52, which was the total amount borrowed by the Organiza- tion between 1947-53 from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for agricultural development, has now been fully repaid.

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