ENG-1967 — Page 114

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

farmers, is maintained by the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Associa- tion on its farm at Pak Ngau Shek. Pig-keeping in the villages often follows traditional practice, but an overall improvement in management is taking place as a result of extension and advisory services. During the year the pig artificial insemination service was further expanded and over 5,503 sows were inseminated with a total conception rate of 87.49 per cent and a first service conception rate of 75.01 per cent. In 1967, 240,000 pigs of local origin were slaughtered in local abattoirs, compared with some 270,000 in 1966. The figure represented more than 12 per cent of the total number of pigs slaughtered. The value of pig production during the year amounted to some $26 million.

As part of its 'Food for Peace' programme, the United States Government has donated a substantial quantity of feed grain to assist Hong Kong's pig raising industry by providing feed at reduced prices, thereby allowing farmers to improve their methods of production and raise the quality of their stock. This scheme is being operated in Hong Kong by an organization called ‘Opera- tion Feedbag' Limited in close co-operation with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the New Territories Administration. By the end of the year 'Operation Feedbag' had been in operation in all areas of the Colony except a portion of the southern part of Yuen Long district.

Many of the larger poultry farmers are now producing their own hatching eggs, and this is important in helping to stabilize the industry, which produced $45 million worth of poultry this year. In the wetter areas ducks and geese are raised for home consumption and for export. The rearing of ducks and geese for the local market has become increasingly important in recent years and was worth about $9 million this year. Pigeon-keeping is a thriving industry and prices in 1967 averaged $8 for a pair of squabs. The total value of squabs marketed during the year was estimated at $3.1 million. The most popular types of table birds are the white or blue king crossed with the homer.

Local brown cattle and buffaloes are kept for work purposes and surplus stock is sold for slaughter. Chinese brown cattle are par- ticularly well suited to the local environment and management. The