ENG-1977 — Page 87

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Marketing Organisation. At the end of 1977, 3,896 children were attending these schools. A further 36 were attending other schools on scholarships provided by the organisation.

Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through liaison with pro- ducer 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 three separate loan funds – the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, the J. E. Joseph Trust Fund and the World Refugee Year Loan Fund. All are administered through the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. At December 31, 1977, loans-issued since the inception of these three funds totalled almost $103 million. Of this, almost $98 million had been recovered.

The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with a capital of $5 million, is admin- istered by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries specifically for developing 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, also is 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, 1977, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $79.32 million, of which $71.09 million had been repaid. In addition, a Fish Culture Development Loan Fund, with a capital of $1 million, is under consideration to provide loan finance for both marine fish and pond fish culturists.

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 registering co-operative societies and their by-laws, examining accounts, general supervision, and such matters as mediating in disputes when necessary. At December 31, 1977, some 11,623 farmers and more than 2,134 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 69 so- cieties and four federations supported by fisher-folk. A further 252 societies with about 8,429 members operate in the urban area. The bulk of these are 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.

Credit unions operate under a Credit Unions Ordinance, which also provides for the appointment of a registrar (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries) with powers and duties relating to registering credit unions and their by-laws, examining accounts and general supervision. At the end of the year, 55 credit unions with 10,686 members were registered. There were 28 credit unions comprising groups of people having a common bond of association; 21 unions of people having bonds of employment; and six unions formed by groups each with a common bond of residence.