FarmFest 2022, originally scheduled to be held from January 7 to 9 at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok, was cancelled in light of the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (January 17) announced that those fishermen, farmers, fishing units and farming units that signed a contract and paid a rental fee in full could apply for a one-off ex-gratia payment.
 
     A spokesman for the AFCD said, "The cancellation of FarmFest 2022 was announced only less than two days before its scheduled commencement on January 7. Participating units suffered losses and faced challenges in marketing a large volume of highly perishable produce within a short time. Many participating units had also incurred other costs in setting up sale booths, arranging transportation and hiring of labour, etc. To provide financial relief to the participating units from the agriculture and fisheries sector, the AFCD today announced that if they had already signed a contract with the Fish Marketing Organization or Vegetable Marketing Organization and paid the rental fee in full, they may apply to the AFCD for a one-off ex-gratia payment of $5,000 under the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund."
 
     Eligible fishermen, farmers, fishing units and farming units can apply between today and February 18. The AFCD will take the initiative to phone eligible applicants, send out the application forms by email and provide necessary assistance to them. For enquiries, please call 2150 7099 (for fisheries booths) or 2670 1161 (for agricultural booths).

Ends/Monday, January 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:45

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