ENG-1993 — Page 155

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

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exotic temperate vegetables, including tomatoes, sweet corn and celery, are also grown. Straw mushrooms are produced using industrial cotton waste as the growing medium.

Common types of flowers such as gladioli, chrysanthemums and ginger lilies are grown throughout the year. A wide range of ornamental plants is produced in the various commercial nurseries. Peach blossom and ornamental citrus are grown specially for the Lunar New Year.

Because there is insufficient land for extensive grazing, pigs and poultry are the principal animals reared for food. Their production is declining though, as the industry adjusts to the progressive implementation of environmental pollution controls under the livestock waste control scheme. Pigs in Hong Kong are mostly crosses of imported breeds. The value of locally-produced pigs in 1993 amounted to $151 million and that of poultry, including chickens, ducks, pigeons and quail, amounted to $478 million.

Agricultural Development

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department conducts investigations and applied research into modern methods of crop and livestock production, and the control and prevention of plant and animal diseases. One of the more important fields of study is pest management without the use of toxic pesticides. New farming techniques, especially those that are less labour-intensive, are evaluated and promoted if found suitable for local development. Experiments to improve quality and yield are conducted. Good quality seeds and breeding stocks of pigs and poultry are produced and made available for commercial propagation.

To help farmers comply with the livestock waste control scheme, the department introduced the rearing of pigs on sawdust litter, a non-polluting and cost-effective pig husbandry technique. The simple technique involves using a special bedding material comprising sawdust and bacterial products in the pig shed to decompose the pig manure in situ. Studies have also been conducted on the recycling of spent sawdust litter for horticultural and landscaping use.

Local vegetable growers are encouraged to cultivate premium vegetables including traditional Chinese types, exotic varieties and vegetables produced through organic farming and hydroponics. Technical advice and marketing services are provided by the department.

Agricultural extension officers are assigned to deal with farming problems and to liaise with co-operative societies and rural associations. Vocational training and seminars on special topics of interest and importance are conducted.

Technical assistance is made available to farmers, who are also frequently advised about the proper handling and safe use of pesticides. Visits are arranged for farmers to see government experimental farms and farming projects.

Low interest loans, administered by the department, are available to the agricultural industry from the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund, the J.E. Joseph Trust Fund and the Vegetable Marketing Organisation Loan Fund. At the end of 1993, loans issued since the inception of these funds had reached $298 million, with $293 million having been repaid.

A total of 65 co-operative societies and two federations, with an overall membership of some 10 535 farmers, help to promote agriculture within the farming community. The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries acts as their registrar. His powers and duties include the registration of the co-operative societies and their by-laws, the auditing of accounts and general supervision of operations.