Agriculture in Hong Kong
From Freepedia
| This article is part of the Economy of Hong Kong series |
Agriculture is a sunset industry in Hong Kong. Most agricultural produce is directly imported from the neighbouring mainland China.
Contents |
Overview
Geographically Hong Kong consists largely of steep, unproductive hillside. Only 64 square kilometres of land are actively farmed. Farms are generally small in size and they produce mainly leafy vegetables, pigs or poultry.
Consumption
In round figures, the daily fresh food consumption by Hong Kong’s population of more than six million is 890 tonnes of rice, 1 700 tonnes of vegetables, 5 910 head of pigs, 120 head of cattle and 170 tonnes of poultry. Much of this is imported, but Hong Kong’s primary producers help to satisfy some of the demand.
Local production
The gross value of local agricultural production totalled $1,052 million in 2003. Five per cent of the vegetables Hong Kong people consumed, together with 31 per cent of the live poultry and 23 per cent of the live pigs, come from local farms. Local production is geared to complement rather than compete with other major market suppliers. Production efforts are aimed mainly at high-value fresh foods.
Principal crops
The value of crop production amounted to $272 million in 2003. Vegetable and flower production account for about 97 per cent of the total value, being $264 million in 2003. Vegetable crops grown all year round include white cabbage, flowering cabbage, lettuce, Chinese kale, radish, leaf mustard, spring onion and chive. Spinach, watercress, and matrimony vine are produced in the cooler months. Yardlong beans, water spinach, amaranth, cucumber, and several species of Chinese gourd are produced in summer. A wide range of temperate vegetables including tomato, sweet pepper, cauliflower, carrot, and celery are grown in winter.
Flower cultivation has gained importance in recent years. Gladiolus, lily, and chrysanthemum are grown in winter; and ginger lily and lotus flower in summer. Peach blossom is grown especially for the Lunar New Year. A wide range of fruit is grown on the lower hill slopes, the main types being lychee, longan, wampei, local lemon, orange, tangerine, guava, papaya and banana.
Animal husbandry
There were 281 local pig farms and 205 local poultry farms in 2004. During 2003, local pig production was valued at $527 million and local poultry production, including pigeons and eggs was valued at $250 million. Pigs raised on local farms are crosses derived from Duroc, Landrace and Large White parent stock. The majority of local chickens raised on farms are Shek Ki cross bred chickens. Recently, brand name chickens like Ka Mei chickens and Tai On chickens have been introduced to local market by local investors. There are two dairies in active operation with a total herd population of less than 50 cows.
Agricultural development
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and its closely related marketing organisations provide infrastructural support and technical services to the various primary industries. The department’s crop specialists undertake studies into practical problems in pest control, crop husbandry and soil management. They also investigate specific production technologies to enhance the efficiency and economic benefits of the industry. This work is carried out in an experimental station in Sheung Shui and results are made available to farmers by the department’s advisory service.
Agricultural advisory activities are aimed at assisting farmers to improve productivity through the introduction of new and improved produce varieties and production techniques, backed up by adequate credit facilities and efficient and orderly marketing services. Studies are currently under way to adapt and develop greenhouse and organic production technology for local farms. Examples of well-received new produce varieties are: supersweet maize, heat tolerant lettuce, coloured sweet pepper, spaghetti squash, strawberry and white bitter cucumber.
Loans issued to farmers in 2003 amounted to $19 million and the total value of loans issued up to December 31, 2003 (under three separate loan funds administered by AFCD) was $505 million. These loans are granted to cover farm production and development purposes . Agricultural development also includes improvement of basic infrastructure, rehabilitation of fallow land and studies in farm management problems. Infrastructural work concentrates on the maintenance and improvement of communal irrigation and drainage facilities.
An Accredited Farm Scheme for protecting the environment and consumers against residues of agricultural pesticides was introduced in 1994. Accredited farms are strictly monitored and supervised on uses of pesticides and produce is further checked for pesticide residue before they are sold at accredited retail outlets. At the end of 2003, a total of 224 farms in Hong Kong and the mainland of China were accredited, supplying more than 70 tonnes of accredited produce daily. To comply with environmental protection legislation, all livestock farms are required to be licensed and must install appropriate livestock waste treatment systems. Sporadic outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever are kept under control by vaccination, and the department’s veterinary services are equipped to investigate and combat all major animal diseases.
