ENG-1989 — Page 142

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Following the introduction of steel-hulled fishing vessels in May, the department has been providing a new advisory service to assist local fishermen interested in building these new and more efficient fishing vessels. In addition, new training programmes have been formulated in conjunction with the Marine Department to train and qualify fishermen to operate steel hull fishing vessels as masters and engineers.

Education is provided for the children of fishermen at 10 schools run by the Fish Marketing Organisation. At the end of 1989, more than 1 500 children were attending these schools. A further nine were attending other schools on scholarships, grants and loans awarded by the organisation.

Close contact with the fishing community is maintained through liaison with producer associations and fishermen's co-operative societies. Eight Fish Marketing Organisation liaison offices operate in each of the main fishing centres in order to provide a link with fishermen.

The Fisheries Development Loan Fund, with capital of $7 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, is also available to members of fishermen's co-operative societies.

The Fish Marketing Organisation Loan Fund, which has operated as a revolving loan fund since January 1, 1983, by the transfer of funds from the Organisation's surplus and deficit account, is another important source of loan finance for fishermen. At the end of 1989, the fund capital was $19 million.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department administers another revolving loan fund, financed by the Co-operative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE).

By December 31, loans issued since the inception of these four funds totalled $201 million of which $172 million has been repaid.

At the end of the year, 2 087 fishermen were members of co-operative societies and there were 67 societies and four federations supported by fisherfolk.

Marketing

Much of the wholesale marketing of primary products – particularly fresh foods - is the responsibility of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Vegetable and Fish Marketing Organisations. This year, 31 per cent of the total quantity of locally-produced vegetables, and 70 per cent of the total landings of marine fish were sold through the organisations.

The Vegetable Marketing Organisation operates under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, which also provides for the establishment of a Marketing Advisory Board to advise the Director of Marketing (the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). The organisation is responsible for transporting locally-produced vegetables from the New Territories to the wholesale market in Kowloon, providing marketing facilities, and supervising sales and financial transactions in the market. Revenue is obtained from a 10 per cent commission on sales. The organisation is non-profit-making. It seeks to maximise returns to farmers by minimising marketing costs. It also provides ancillary services such as the acquisition and sale of agricultural supplies to farmers and the awarding of secondary and tertiary education scholarships to the children of farmers. During the year, 60 135 tonnes of local vegetables valued at $158 million were sold through the organisation.

URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES!

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