ENG-1978 — Page 86

50

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

also administers a revolving loan fund, financed by the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), specifically for shrimp fishermen. At December 31, 1978, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $85.03 million, of which $76.31 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 auditing of accounts, inspection and inquiry, general supervision of operations, and such matters as mediation in disputes and dissolution when necessary. At December 31, 1978, some 11,718 farmers and more than 2,030 fishermen were members of co-operative societies formed to serve their various needs. There were 79 societies and two federations among the farming community and 69 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk. A further 252 societies with about 9,000 members operate in the urban area. The bulk of these are co-operative building societies formed by local civil servants in receipt of financial aid from the government. The movement includes societies with such diverse objects and activities as marketing, 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 Director of Agriculture and Fisheries the appointment of a registrar

with powers and duties in regard to the registration of credit unions and their by-laws, the examination of accounts, general supervision of operations, and dissolution. At the end of the year, 59 credit unions with about 11,898 members were registered. There were 30 credit unions comprising groups of people having a common bond of association; 23 unions of people having bonds of employment; and six unions formed by groups each with a common bond of residence.

Land Usage

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Hong Kong's land area totals 1,052 square kilometres. Only 10 per cent is used for farming, 75.2 per cent is marginal land with different degrees of sub-grade char- acter, and built-up areas comprise the remaining 14.8 per cent. The need to establish new towns and residential areas that provide adequate open space, wider roads and public facilities of all kinds inevitably means encroachment on agricultural land. The losses, however, are partially offset by more intensive production and by the develop- ment of marginal land. The New Territories Administration is responsible for land tenure and certain aspects of land development in the New Territories.

Approximate

Class

(i) Built-up (urban areas)

(ii) Woodlands

(iii) Grass and scrub lands

(iv) Badlands

(v) Swamp and mangrove lands (vi) Arable

(vii) Fish ponds

area

(square Percentage

kilometres)

of whole

Remarks

153

14.8

Includes roads and railways.

125

11.8

Natural and established woodlands.

616

58.4

Natural grass and scrub, including

Plover Cove Reservoir.

85

I am a

44

4.1

Stripped of cover. Granite country.

Capable of regeneration.

9

0.9

Capable of reclamation.

8.1

Includes orchards and market

gardens.

20

1.9

Fresh and brackish water fish

farming.