ENG-1959 — Page 109

PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

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Agricultural and Animal Industries Divisions. A broad policy for the development of Agriculture and Animal Industries was accepted in principle by the Government towards the close of 1955. This policy envisaged the improvement of irrigation and communications throughout the New Territories, planned settle- ment of undeveloped land, the diversification of farming to include the extension of animal industries, a soil survey of the Colony, and planned experimental work directed to the introduction of new crops, the improvement of existing crop varieties, soil fer- tility and the control of pests and diseases of crops and animals.

The general experimental station of the Department serving agriculture and animal husbandry is situated at Castle Peak in the New Territories. This station is concerned with pig improve- ment (local pig breeding), poultry investigation and rice work. A veterinary laboratory is available for the diagnosis and investi- gation of animal disease, and for the preparation of rinderpest vaccine. A considerable amount of the agronomy and crop investi- gational work has been transferred from this station to the present Forestry Research Station at Tai Lung. This will allow greater concentration on animal husbandry problems and the expansion of vaccine production facilities at Castle Peak. A market garden research station has been developed at Sheung Shui and a horti- cultural sub-station, primarily concerned with citrus production, at Tai Po. Exotic pig breeding is conducted at Sheung Shui Livestock Research Station and pig cross-breeding work at Sai Kung Livestock Research Station. Joint investigation into dry land farming problems is being undertaken by the Agricultural and Animal Industries Divisions at the Dryland Research Station at Ta Kwu Ling. Sub-stations, allied with the above research stations, are also established at Silvermine Bay, Tung Chung and Sha Tin. Extension and advisory services are operated from district offices or posts at Au Tau, Ko Po, Tai O, Chek Keng, Lamma Island and elsewhere in association with research stations and sub- stations. Chemical, soils and general analysis is undertaken at a laboratory at Administrative Headquarters at Lai Chi Kok.

The Agricultural Division is under the immediate control of the Agricultural Officer and carries out research, extension and advisory work on all forms of crop husbandry and agronomy problems. Research and investigation, such as crop variety trials,