ENG-1976 — Page 83

50

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Fisheries development work involves the modernisation of fishing craft and the introduction of more efficient fishing gear and navigational aids. An advisory service on hull design and deck arrangement is provided for fishermen, while experiments and demonstrations are conducted to test the suitability for local conditions of new fishing gear. Fishermen's training classes in navigation, steering and engine operation are organised in the main fishing ports. Education is available to fishermen's children through 13 schools run by the Fish Marketing Organisation. At the end of 1976 there were 3,997 children attending the 13 schools, and 41 were attending other schools on scholarships provided by the organisation.

Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through a liaison service with producer associations and fishermen's co-operative societies. Nine liaison offices operate in the main fishing centres to provide a link with the fishermen.

Loans

Loans are available to the agricultural industry through four separate loan funds the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, the J. E. Joseph Trust Fund, the World Refugee Year Loan Fund and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation Loan Fund. They are all administered through the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. At December 31, 1976, the total loans issued since the inception of these four funds was nearly $95 million. The total recovered was nearly $90 million.

The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with a capital of $5 million, is administer- ed by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries specifically for the development of the fishing fleet. Finance from the World Refugee Year Loan Fund for Co-operative Societies, donated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1962, is also available to members of fishermen's co-operative societies. The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund is another important source of loan finance for fishermen. This fund, with a ceiling of $7.5 million, was established in 1946. The organisation also administers a revolving loan fund financed by the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), specifically for shrimp fishermen. At December 31, 1976, the total loans issued since the inception of the four loan funds was $73.22 million, of which $65.27 million had been repaid.

Co-operative societies operate under a Co-operative Societies Ordinance, which provides for the appointment of a Registrar (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). His powers and duties relate to the registration of co-operative societies and their by-laws, the examination of accounts, general supervision, and such matters as media- tion of disputes when necessary, At December 31, 1976, some 11,700 farmers and more than 2,000 fishermen were members of co-operative societies formed to serve their various needs. There were 80 societies and two federations among the farming community and 70 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk. A further 252 societies with about 8,400 members operate in the urban area, the bulk of these being co-operative building societies formed by local civil servants with financial aid from the government. The movement includes primary societies with such diverse objects and activities as vegetable marketing, pig raising, agriculture and fisheries credit, better living, thrift and loan, housing, and the supply of consumer goods.