ENG-1964 — Page 82

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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Sha Tin must expand and it is unavoidable that fields will be lost to agriculture, or at least that agriculture in such areas will be confined to market gardens. This trend is, however, being offset by more intensive production and by development of marginal land.

The afforestation policy is to replace the woodlands which were largely stripped during the war not only to safeguard water catch- ments and ensure soil conservation, but also to take advantage of the opportunities it affords to make best use of the land. There are many limiting factors to the extension of arable land, but they can be overcome in some areas and much more attention is now paid to the principles of multiple land use in order to exploit under- developed areas. The establishment of pure forests tends to be restricted to areas incapable of more intensive development.

There has been a continuing study of land use since the Agriculture and Fisheries Department began a survey in 1953. Much work has been done by independent researchers. The general picture of land use today is indicated by the following table:

Approximate Percentage

Class

area

+

of whole

(square miles)

(i) Built-up (urban areas)

22.5

5.5

(ii) Steep country

111

28.0

Remarks

Includes roads and railways.

Rocky, precipitous hill- sides incapable of plant

L

establishment.

(iii) Woodlands

23

5.8

Natural and established woodlands.

(iv) Grass and scrub lands

164

41.2

Natural grass and scrub.

(v) Eroded lands

20

5.0

Stripped of cover. Granite

country. Capable of re- generation.

(vi) Swamp and mangrove

lands

5.5

1.4

Capable of reclamation.

(vii) Fish Ponds

2

0.5

Fresh and brackish water fish farming.

(viii) Arable

50.5

12.6

Includes orchards and market gardens.

POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department concerns itself with optimum land utilization and provides technical, extension and advisory services to farmers; it also deals with the fishermen on the