The government of Hong Kong has adopted a New Agriculture Policy (NAP) announced as a key initiative by the Chief Executive in the 2016 Policy Address. Under the new framework designed to promote the “modernisation [sic] and sustainable development of local agriculture with a view to maximising [sic] its contribution to the well-being of society”, the government will pursue the best use of high quality farmland and the strengthening of the competitiveness of local farms, according to the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr. Ko Wing-man.

 

As part of the NAP, the government will establish a HK$500 million (US$65 million) Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund, which will be tasked with supporting farmers in improving their product marketing and brand recognition in order to expand into upstream activities, to provide training, improve infrastructure, and support modernization initiatives for facilities and equipment by farmers. The fund will also supports the development of hydroponic projects, increase food safety, and increase the marketing outlets for local fresh produce.

 

It will also build a new Agricultural Park of between 75 and 80 hectares to develop advances in agro-technologies and agribusiness. A possible location for the park has been selected in Kwu Tung South, and a feasibility is currently being conducted on the planned project.

 

The NAP will also be commissioning a study to identify “Agriculture Priority Areas”, or locations that are of prime value for long term agricultural production.

 

“With the adoption of the NAP and the full implementation of the various support measures, we believe that the benefits of agricultural development to society could be more fully realised [sic] in time," Dr Ko said.

 

In addition, the Shanghai Daily reports that to date, the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund has allocated subsidies of $HK28 million (US$3.61 million), and the government has announced it will promote the fund in its goal of providing technical and training support for operations within the aquaculture and fishing industries.