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LCQ8: Agricultural and fisheries development
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     Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Hok-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (November 12):

Question:

     In connection with fostering the development of the agricultural and fisheries industries, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  apart from zoning lands for agricultural uses under the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131) and strictly regulating changes of agricultural land use, of other proactive measures currently in place to encourage the industry to rehabilitate abandoned agricultural lands and to increase the income of farmers;

(b)  whether it will, by making reference to the successful experience of Japan and Taiwan, proactively examine the establishment of an agricultural development fund to assist the agricultural industry in transforming into one which adopts advanced and new technologies and yields high value-added agricultural produce;

(c)  how it assists local farmers in opening up sales channels for organic produce;

(d)  whether it will consider implementing a pilot scheme to set up quality mariculture farms in vacant industrial buildings; and

(e)  given that it advised, in a paper submitted to this Council in May this year, that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department planned to set up an experimental hatchery to develop fry hatching and breeding techniques, when such hatchery will be set up?

Reply:

President,

     Our reply to the question raised by Hon Cheung Hok-ming is as follows:

(a)  The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been promoting agricultural land rehabilitation and providing further services in this regard.  When a farmer or any member of the community indicates interest in the rehabilitation of abandoned agricultural land, AFCD will gather and provide information about the agricultural land concerned for his reference.  A meeting with the land owner will then be arranged for both sides to discuss face-to-face the tenure arrangement.  When the farmer starts land preparation, he can hire a tractor from AFCD to plough the land.  The farmer may also borrow other agricultural machines, such as cultivator, brush cutter and branch breaker free of charge from AFCD.  Furthermore, he may apply for a low-interest loan and seek technical farming support from AFCD.

(b)  The Government has set up the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) under the Vegetable Marketing Organisation (VMO) to support local agriculture.  As at April 1, 2008, ADF has a total fund of HK$130 million.  In 2007-08, ADF allocated HK$21 million for various projects promoting agricultural research and development, such as promoting organic farming, providing financial grants to the Hong Kong Organic Resources Centre for its operation, improving the market facilities of VMO and organising the Farmfest for the promotion of local agricultural products.

(c)  Since 2000, AFCD has been actively providing assistance to local agricultural sector in developing organic farming through the provision of technical support to local organic farms on pest and disease control, horticultural practices, soil management and seed saving.  AFCD has also been assisting the trade through VMO to develop the market for organic food.  There are now more than 30 organic vegetable retail outlets under the VMO marketing network, including large supermarkets, MTR shops, health food stores and the Lions Nature Education Centre outlet at Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung.  In addition, AFCD has been actively working with various organisations towards diversifying marketing channels, an example of which is to help the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd set up weekend farmers' markets.  Besides, AFCD has been assisting the trade in organising large-scale promotional activities, such as the annual Farmfest, with a view to enabling the public to have a better understanding of the local organic products and to establish contacts with the local farmers so that they may continue to buy organic products from these farmers in future.

(d)  We understand that there is already an indoor aquaculture farm located in an industrial building in Hong Kong.  The farm aims to culture mainly high value marine fish like high-finned grouper through the application of indoor aquaculture technologies and systems, including recirculatory filtration and disinfection systems, as well as good practices in aquaculture management.  The farm's mode of operation can serve as a reference for the trade.  The Government will provide assistance in the form of technical support, training and loans to any fish farmers interested in developing indoor aquaculture farms.

(e)  AFCD is committed to assisting local fish farmers in upgrading and developing fish fry hatching and breeding techniques through the provision of technical support, training and trial schemes in collaboration with fish farmers.  To step up efforts in this area, AFCD has set up experimental hatchery facilities at Ta Kwu Ling in mid-2008 to facilitate research in fish fry hatching and breeding techniques.  In September 2008, it organised a training course on grouper hatching jointly with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific at Ta Kwu Ling to provide the necessary knowledge and techniques to local fish farmers, fishermen and people interested in the research and development of fish fry hatching and breeding, so as to further promote the development of fish fry hatching and breeding in Hong Kong.

Ends/Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:21

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