ENG-1960 — Page 124

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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Pigs. The pigs of Hong Kong are mostly either of the Chinese type or the resultant crosses of these local animals with exotic stock. The Agriculture and Forestry Department maintains herds of pure exotic strains, such as Berkshire, Mid White and Large White, and uses them for experimental purposes, cross-breeding and distribution to improve the Colony's pig stock. Pigs are often kept on traditional lines in the villages but an overall improvement in management is taking place as a result of extension work.

In 1960 the number of pigs of local origin admitted to the local abattoirs for slaughter was 260,070. This was 20.5% of all the pigs slaughtered in the Colony for food. The comparative figure for 1953 was 64,000. The value of pigs raised in Hong Kong in 1960 is estimated to have been $36 million.

Cattle. Local brown cattle and buffaloes are kept for work purposes but surplus stock is sold for slaughter. The Chinese brown cattle are ideally suited to the local environment and management. The return from sales of local cattle for slaughter is estimated at $1,800,000. Over 639 farmers were helped during the year to acquire animals of

animals of a better type.

Poultry. Many of the larger poultry farmers are now producing their own hatching eggs because of the curtailment of imports of birds and hatching eggs from China. There has also been a distinct increase in the collection of eggs for hatching from village flocks. This development is of great importance in the establish- ment of a stable poultry industry in the Colony.

Ducks and Geese. Ducks are raised in the wetter areas of the Colony for home consumption and export. The rearing of ducks and geese for the local market has become much more common in recent years.

Pigeons. Pigeon-keeping is now a thriving industry and prices in 1960 averaged $7 a pair for squabs. One of the most popular types of table birds is the White or Blue King crossed with the Homer. The value of squabs sold in 1960 is estimated at $600,000.

Milk. The dairy cattle in Hong Kong are mainly Friesians and are kept in one large farm on Hong Kong Island and in smaller groups of farms on the mainland. All these animals have passed the single intradermal (comparative) test for tuberculosis.