Local farmers and fishermen who suffered serious losses caused by the recent rainstorm disaster can register with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from tomorrow (August 7) for assistance from an emergency relief fund. According to the application guideline of the emergency relief fund, the application deadlines for affected farmers and fishermen are August 15 and September 17 respectively.

     An AFCD spokesman said today (August 6) that an appropriate amount of the relief funding would be released to affected eligible farmers and fishermen according to established criteria.

     "After each typhoon or natural disaster, AFCD staff will contact farmers, fishermen and fish farmers to assess the resultant damage to their farmland areas, fishing vessels, fish rafts and fish ponds. Depending on the extent of the damage, the department may launch an operation to provide some relief to affected persons." the spokesman said.

     The department's preliminary investigation has revealed that about 300 hectares of farmland in the New Territories and some fishing vessels were affected by the rainstorm disaster.

     Affected farmers who need to apply for the fund can submit their applications in person at the Agricultural Extension Office of the AFCD at 5/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, or submit their applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_loan/agr_loan_erf/agr_loan_erf.html). Enquiries can be made to 2476 2424 during office hours. Local farmers who have already submitted applications due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha earlier do not need to apply again for this rainstorm disaster. The department will evaluate the damage situation altogether.

     Affected fishermen can submit their applications at the Liaison and Market Section of the AFCD at Room 825, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, or submit their applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_techsup/fish_cap_erf.html). Enquiries can be made to 2150 7099 during office hours.

Ends/Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:25

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