ENG-1967 — Page 109

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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demand for land for industry and housing, and the need to meet the growing requirements of the rural community. It is important to remember that 77 per cent of the total area of the territory is marginal land, in differing degrees of sub-grade character. The arable land and fish ponds already exploited comprise only 13 per cent of the total area and the expanding urban areas (the re- maining 10 per cent) tend to encroach more directly on arable rather than on marginal land. It is unavoidable that fields will be lost to agriculture, or at least that agriculture in some areas will be confined to market gardens. This trend is, however, being offset by more intensive production and by development of marginal land.

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

Approximate

area

Percentage

(square miles) of whole

40

10

111

27.8

Remarks

Includes roads and railways.

Rocky, precipitous hill- sides incapable of plant establishment.

Class

(i) Built-up (urban areas)

(ii) Steep country

(iii) Woodlands

23.4

5.9

Natural and established woodlands.

(iv) Grass and scrub lands

147

36.9

Natural grass and scrub.

(v) Eroded lands...

20

5

Stripped of cover. Granite

country. Capable of re- generation.

(vi) Swamp and mangrove

lands

5

1.3

(vii) Fish ponds

2.8

0.7

Capable of reclamation. Fresh and brackish water fish farming.

(viii) Arable

49.6

12.4

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 waters of the territory and the administrative organization of co- operative societies of all types. The conservation of water and soil, through afforestation of bare, eroded hillsides and catchment areas, is important. Afforestation is largely undertaken by the department