ENG-1994 — Page 172

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

sets the effluent standard for the livestock industry. To help farmers meet the environmental challenges, the department continuously promotes the proper use of agricultural pesticides, biological and physical methods of pest control and environmentally acceptable effluent treatment systems. The department has also developed the non-polluting, pig-on-litter method of pig rearing to assist local farmers to comply with the livestock waste control scheme. The method uses sawdust impregnated with bacterial products as bedding material on which pigs are raised. The livestock waste is decomposed in-situ and no effluent is discharged. Studies have also been conducted on the recycling of spent sawdust litter for horticultural and landscaping use.

To return fallow land to efficient cultivation, the department has been implementing an agricultural land rehabilitation scheme, under which infrastructural improvements in irrigation, drainage and farm road access are being effected. A package of assistance, including tenure arrangements, advance payment of rent, soil improvement and marketing facilities, is also offered. The satisfactory results of pilot schemes at Cheung Po in Yuen Long and Hok Tau in Fanling have resulted in the extension of the scheme to other suitable

areas.

The department also promotes improved agricultural productivity. Advisory visits to farms, training courses, seminars and demonstrations are conducted to help farmers with their specific production problems in respect of the use of pesticides, pest and weed control, crop husbandry, and livestock husbandry and health. Visits are arranged for farmers to see government experimental farms and farming projects. The department also organised an overseas study tour to the Netherlands, Spain and Britain for vegetable farmers, to enable them to broaden their technical knowledge and exchange experience and information with their overseas counterparts.

Besides technical support, 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 1994, loans issued since the inception of these funds had reached $313 million, with $304 million having been repaid.

The Fishing Industry

Marine fish constitute one of Hong Kong's most important primary products. During the year under review, total production from marine capture and culture fisheries was estimated at about 219 600 tonnes, with a wholesale value of $2,610 million. This represented a decrease of one per cent in weight and an increase of three per cent in value compared with 1993. In weight terms, marine capture contributed 96 per cent towards total production, while the remainder came from culture operations.

The Hong Kong fishing fleet, manned by 21 600 fishermen, comprises some 4 800 vessels, of which 4 400 are mechanised. It plays a vital role in primary production, catching over 150 species of commercially important fish and supplying over 60 per cent of all marine produce consumed locally. Golden thread, bigeyes, lizard-fish, squid, melon seed, conger pike eels, croakers, hairtail, scads and yellow belly are the most important species landed.

Major fishing methods include trawling, lining, gill-netting and purse-seining. About 46 per cent of the vessels are between 10 and 34 metres in length, comprising mainly trawlers,

145