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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 3) introduced three varieties of organic watermelon and two varieties of vegetables that will be highlighted at the Local Organic Watermelon Festival.
Jointly organised by the AFCD and the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd, the festival is an annual event to help farmers expand their customer network and share their crop yield with Hong Kong people.
The three varieties of watermelon, namely "Super Sweet Black Angel 168", "Diana" and "Yellow Siren", are quality produce introduced from Australia, Taiwan and Vietnam by the AFCD in recent years.
"Super Sweet Black Angel 168" is spherical with green striped skin. Though carrying seeds, its bright crimson-coloured flesh is very juicy.
Both "Diana" and "Yellow Siren" are oblong in shape. While the former has bright yellow striped skin with intense red flesh, the latter has dark green striped skin and orange yellow flesh. They both carry seeds but remain very crispy, juicy and sweet.
The round eggplant "Fullness" and the mini wax gourd "Mini Jade" originate from Taiwan and both have finely textured flesh. Fullness has a spherical body with purple-black skin, and Mini Jade's green skin has no gourd wax.
All these varieties grow well in summer in Hong Kong and yield good quality fruit. The AFCD has all along been providing organic farmers with technical guidance on growing different varieties of fruit and vegetables and has had a very good response. It will continue to promote organic cultivation of these fruit and vegetables to meet growing market demand.
The two-day Local Organic Watermelon Festival will be held at Tuen Mun Farmers' Market this weekend (July 5 and 6). Apart from these featured produce, other local premium organic produce in season will also be available for sale.
Tuen Mun Farmers' Market is located at Crossroads Village, 2 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun (opposite Gold Coast Phase I), and is open from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.
For details of the Local Organic Watermelon Festival and arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please visit www.afcd.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:47
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