ENG-2000 — Page 185

CHAPTER 8

Primary Production

AGRICULTURE and fisheries industries are relatively small sectors in Hong Kong. Farming is largely undertaken in the New Territories and just 2.4 per cent of the land area is under cultivation. In 2000, the total production of the industries was valued at $2,958 million. It accounted for 7 per cent of vegetables, 52 per cent of cut flowers, 23 per cent of live pigs, 20 per cent of live poultry, 6 per cent of freshwater fish and 59 per cent of live and fresh marine fish sold locally. Approximately 17 500 people were employed directly in the industries.

The HKSAR Government does not give direct subsidies to the local agriculture and fisheries industries or attempt to protect them from the free operation of market forces. However, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) provides infrastructural and technical support to facilitate the development of the industries, including provision of wholesale marketing facilities, extension, technical and diagnostic services, and administration of agricultural and fisheries loans.

Output of local farms has remained relatively stable over the past five years with the exception of the livestock industry. The number of pigs produced locally has doubled during this period. Local production statistics are given in the Appendices.

The Agriculture Industry

Local agriculture is directed towards the production of high quality fresh food crops through intensive land use. Overall, the most common food and non-food crops cultivated are vegetables and cut flowers and production was valued at about $438 million in 2000. Pigs and poultry are the principal animals reared for food and in 2000 the value of locally produced pigs amounted to $599 million and that of poultry, including chickens, pigeons and quail, to $216 million.

Agricultural Development

As a result of limited supply of farm land and labour, competition from imports, raised environmental standards and calls for improved farm hygiene and safe produce, the local agriculture industry has to adapt rapidly to sustain its long-term development.

Crop farmers are encouraged to target specific niche markets by cultivating safe quality vegetables. In 2000, the AFCD initiated programmes to develop organic crop cultivation and intensive greenhouse production to help farmers capturing these specific market niches. In addition, two new vegetable varieties suitable for local production white eggplant and baby pumpkin were introduced.

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