ENG-1971 — Page 103

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

65

six federations of co-operative societies serve the needs of primary societies formed by farmers and fishermen. A table showing the number and types of co-operative societies at December 31, 1971, with details of membership, share capital and deposits is at Appendix 25.

In recognition of the needs of lower income groups for thrift and small loans, legislation in the form of the Credit Unions Ordinance was enacted in February, 1970 to incorporate and regulate credit unions and to provide for incidental matters. The ordinance provides for the appointment of a Registrar (currently the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries) with powers and duties in regard to the registration of credit unions and their by-laws, the examination of accounts and general supervision. Up to the end of the year 44 credit unions were registered with common bonds falling into the categories of association, common employment and residence. The number and categories of common bonds of credit unions at November 30, 1971, with details of membership, share capital (savings) and reserve funds is shown in Appendix 26.

LAND UTILISATION AND FORESTRY

Of the 403.7 square miles in the Colony, only 13 per cent is used for farming; 76 per cent of the total area is marginal land,-in different degrees of sub-grade character, and the built-up areas comprise the remaining 11 per cent. The need to establish new towns and residential areas on plans that provide for adequate open space, wider roads and public facilities of all kinds, inevitably means en- croachment upon agricultural land. The losses, however, are partially offset by more intensive production and by development of marginal land.

Percentage

Remarks

Class

area

Approximate (square miles) of whole

(i) Built-up (Urban Areas)

45.7

11.3

Includes roads and railways.

(ii) Woodlands

54.0

13.4

Natural and established woodlands.

(iii) Grass and scrub lands

233.4

57.8

Natural grass and scrub,

including Plover Cove

reservoir.

(iv) Badlands

14.0

3.5

Stripped of cover. Granite

country. Capable of regeneration.

(v) Swamp and mangrove

lands

(vi) Arable...

5.0 47.7

1.2

Capable of reclamation.

11.8

Includes orchards

and

...

market gardens.

(vii) Fish ponds

3.9

1.0

Fresh and brackish water

fish farming.