ENG-1979 — Page 86

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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ducted to test the suitability of new fishing gear. Fishermen's training classes in naviga- tion, steering and engine operation are organised in the main fishing ports. Education is available to fishermen's children through 14 schools run by the Fish Marketing Organisa- tion. At the end of 1979, 7,000 children) were attending these schools. A further 10 were attending other schools on scholarships provided by the organisation.

Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through liaison 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

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Loans are available to the agricultural industry through three separate loan funds 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, 1979, loans issued since the inception of these three funds totalled $124.7 million. Of this, $117 million had been recovered.

The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with a capital of $5 million, is administered 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 fisher- men's co-operative societies. The Fishing Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, with a ceiling of $8.5 million, is another important source of loan finance for fishermen. 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, 1979, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $91.7 million, of which $81.8 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, 1979, some 11,650 farmers and more than 1,830 fishermen were members of co-operative societies formed to serve their various needs. There were 78 societies and two federations among the farming community, and 68 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk. A further 253 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.

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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 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 12,100 members were registered. There were 30 credit unions com- prising 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

Hong Kong's land area totals 1,061 square kilometres. Of this, 9.5 per cent is used for farming, 74.8 per cent is marginal land with different degrees of sub-grade character, and