Agriculture and aquaculture in Hong Kong are considered sunset industries. Most agricultural produce is directly imported from the neighbouring mainland China. In 2006 the industry accounts for less than 0.3% of the labor sector.Geographically Hong Kong consists largely of steep, unproductive hillside. The local aquaculture industry is also facing challenges from competition with imported aquatic food products and concern of fish and seafood safety.
History
In the Colonial Hong Kong era around 1850s, agriculture in Hong Kong consisted mostly of revenue farmsthat focused on opiumproductions. The industry led to many wealthy Chinese businessmen, who established themselves as the middlemen merchants with international connection. Some of the successful farmers included Yan Wo Hong and Wo Hang Hong from 1858 to 1887. The system was discontinued by colonial authorities, when the economy needed to diversify in other activities. The last opium farm ended in 1913. One of the farm founded in the era include Hong Kong Dairy Farm in 1886. As Hong Kong government favor the transition into a secondary sector, and eventually a tertiary sector, agriculture became a reduced segment.
Organic Farming was introduced in 1988. An Accredited Farm Scheme for protecting the environment and consumers against residues of agriculturalpesticides was introduced in 1994. Accredited farms strictly monitor and supervise the uses of pesticides, and produce are further analyzed for chemical remnants before they are sold at accredited retail outlets. In 1994 the agriculture and fisheries industry represented 2.7% of the work force and just a mere 0.2% of the total GDP.
Consumption
Statistically, Hong Kong can only produce enough for 20% of the local population without depending on mainland imports.[6] In the mid-1990s, 50% of Hong Kong's water resources were still purchased from the mainland.[6] Hong Kong has always depended heavily on imports. The dependency on imports has increased steadily, since the ratio of population growth far exceed agricultural production numbers. In 2007, Hong Kong’s population of almost 7 million[7] consumed the following.
| Type | Measurements |
|---|---|
| Fruits | 1,540 Tonnes |
| Poultry | 110 Tonnes |
| Freshwater fish | 80 Tonnes |
| Cattle | 130 heads |
| Vegetables | 1,510 Tonnes |
| Eggs | 220 Tonnes |
| Marine Fish | 340 Tonnes |
| Pigs | 5,620 heads |
Resources
Agriculture
In 2006, there were 2,100 farms in the territory, employing directly about 5,300 farmers and workers. By the end of 2005, the land used for vegetable, flower, field crop, and orchard are 330 ha, 190 ha, 30 ha, and 290 ha respectively.
Fishing
Hong Kong’s fishing activities are conducted mainly in the waters of the adjacent continental shelf in the South and East China Seas. They extend over a 160 kilometre wide section of this shelf between the Gulf of Tonkin and the East China Sea. The majority of the fishing vessels are manned by family members with the assistance of hired crew. Main fishing methods include trawling, long-lining, gill-netting and purse-seining with the majority of the total catch obtained through trawling. The industry now consists of some 4,150 fishing vessels and some 9,200 fishermen working abroad and provides employment in ancillary sectors servicing the fishing industry, such as fish wholesale and retail marketing, fuel and fishing gear supply and ice manufacturing
Local production
Agriculture industry produced HK$1,180 million worth of produce in 2005. It comprises HK$264 million of crop production, HK$554 million of livestock production and KH$360 million of poultry production.[9] The average daily production of vegetable, live chicken and live pigs are 67 tonnes, 32,000 birds and 1,030 heads respectively. In 2005, local production accounted for 4% of fresh vegetables, 52% of live poultry and 18% of live pigs consumed in the territory.
Aquaculture includes marine fish culture, pond fish culture and oyster culture. In 2005 production from the aquaculture sector was 3,725 tonnes valued at HK$120 million which was 2.2 per cent in weight and 6.7 per cent in value of the total fisheries production.
Principal crops
The value of crop production amounted to $272 million in 2003. Vegetable andflower production account for about 97% 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, andchrysanthemum 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, locallemon, 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.
Aquaculture and Fishing
The commercially important marine species arebigeye, golden thread, croaker, horse-head andpomfret. The total capture fisheries and marine fish culture production is equivalent to about 31% ofseafood consumed in Hong Kong, while pond fish farmers produce about 6% of the freshwater fish eaten. The majority of fish farms in New Territories are engaged in carp polyculture (bighead carp, silver carp,common carp and grass carp) in combination withtilapia or grey mullet as the major species. Other cultured species include seabreams and spotted scat. At present there are 26 fish culture zones designated under the "Marine Fish Culture Ordinance". Common species cultured include green grouper, brownspotted grouper, Russell’s snapper, mangrove snapper,cobia and pompano. The voluntary "Accredited Fish Farm Scheme" has been launched to assist local fish farmers.
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: super sweet 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.
