ENG-1968 — Page 112

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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pure strains of the Chinese type are becoming less common. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department maintains the main purebred herds of exotic breeds Berkshire, Middle White, Large White and Large Black-and also a herd of the Local Chinese breed for dis- tribution to pig breeders and for experimental purposes. A similar herd of good quality local Chinese animals, also to breed stock for distribution to farmers, is maintained by the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association on its farm at Pak Ngau Shek. Pig-keeping in the villages often follows traditional practice, but an overall improve- ment in management is taking place as a result of extension and advisory services. Besides supplying breeding stock, the department provides an Artificial Insemination service; and during the year this service was further expanded. 6,580-sows were inseminated with a total conception rate of 83.35 per cent and a first service conception rate of 73.32 per cent. In 1968, 273,512 pigs of local origin were slaughtered in local abattoirs, compared with some 240,000 in 1967. The figure represented more than 13 per cent of the total number of pigs slaughtered. The value of pig production during the year amounted to some $29.5 million.

Policy proposals designed to stimulate the pig industry to expand its production have been accepted in principle by the Legislative Council; and the recommendations will be implemented in progressive stages. The first stage has been to reduce and in some cases abolish prices for artificial insemination and vaccines.

As part of its 'Food for Peace' programme, the United States Government 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 was operated in Hong Kong by an organization called 'Operation Feedbag Limited' in close co-operation with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the New Territories Administration. After operating for a period of four years and covering most of the New Territories the scheme was discontinued. During its operation the scheme did much to help the small farmer develop pig raising.

Many of the larger poultry farmers are now producing their own hatching eggs, and this is important in helping to stabilize the indus- try, which produced $63 million worth of poultry this year. In the