Deep Dive: Hong Kong lays out blueprint for agriculture and fisheries industries, but experts question effectiveness

From his floating farm off the coast of Hong Kong’s Sai Kung peninsula, Alex Lam Tsz-fung produces 200,000 fish each year for the city’s dining tables.

By experimenting with ways to reduce bacteria and increase the oxygen level in the water, he has increased the survival rate of his fish fry. Mixing traditional Chinese herbs into the feed also helped boost their immune systems.

His 20,000 sq ft farm, Hong Kong Aquaculture, produces five types of fish popular with residents – cobia, sea bass, pompano, spinefoot and batfish.

Lam, 48, said his goal was to produce nutritious, locally-grown fish at affordable prices. He pledged to keep the cost of a frozen pompano at about HK$50.

The government aims to work with about 100 fish farms, including Lam’s, to increase the supply of fresh fish tenfold to 6,000 tonnes in the next 15 years.

That target was set by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department last December when it unveiled Hong Kong’s first detailed plan to develop and diversify the city’s agriculture and fishery industries.

The Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries aims to quadruple the city’s fish culture zones to 800 hectares (1,977 acres) and raise the production of farmed marine fish within 15 years.

It also aims to increase annual vegetable production from about 15,000 to 60,000 tonnes. In addition, livestock farms will switch to more efficient multi-storey farms, increasing annual production by 10 per cent.

Hong Kong imports most of its fish, meat, and vegetables, mostly from mainland China. Food security concerns arose, and vegetable prices shot through the roof, during the pandemic after cross-border truck drivers tested positive for Covid-19, halting the import of supplies from the mainland.

Hong Kong has more than 4,000 hectares of designated agricultural land, but most lies abandoned. Only 8.5 per cent (345 hectares) is used for vegetable farming, employing only 4,300 people – 0.1 per cent of the city’s workforce.

The blueprint also outlined the use of hi-tech farming methods to increase production and draw younger people to agriculture.

It highlighted plans to improve infrastructure and provide more financial, technological, and human resource support while strengthening trade organisations, improving the operating environment, encouraging industry diversification, and seeking opportunities on the mainland.

Staff writers

Question prompts

1. Why does Alex Lam conduct experiments on his fish farm?

2. Which of the following statements about the blueprint are false?

(1) It aims to quadruple the city’s fish culture zones to 800 hectares and raise the production of farmed marine fish by 2039.
(2) It proposes switching all livestock farms to multi-storey farms to increase annual production by 20 per cent.
(3) It will introduce hi-tech farming methods to draw younger people to agriculture.
(4) It will seek opportunities on the mainland for cheaper food imports.

A. (1), (2) only
B. (2), (3) only
C. (1), (4) only
D. (3), (4) only

3. List TWO measures the blueprint outlines for developing the agriculture and fishery industries and explain how they could boost local production.

1. Identify ONE key statistic from the chart.

2. Based on your answer above and News, what might be the reason behind this statistic?

3. According to News and your own knowledge, name ONE benefit and ONE concern this statistic might bring to Hong Kong.

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• Industry players said government proposals did not address deep-seated issues in the agriculture sector

• Hong Kong universities have begun offering agriculture-related courses to draw in young people

Players and experts in the city’s agriculture industry say more concrete policies are needed to solve underlying issues in the sunset industry.

“The government must change the public perception of agricultural development,” said Steven Ho Chun-yin, a lawmaker for the agriculture and fisheries sector.

“The stereotype that agriculture is not profitable has existed for decades, and Hongkongers lack knowledge about the industry. Hong Kong is so small that people feel that agriculture has no future and that the land can be better used for real estate development.”

Yip Tsz-shing, 50, owner of O-farm organic farm in Fanling, said it was wrong to focus only on output.

“Hong Kong can never compete with the mainland in terms of price or volume,” he said. “The value of the agriculture industry in Hong Kong should not be purely commercial; it can be education, and it can be to produce greener food sources with a lower carbon impact.”

He said Hong Kong farmers could only rent scattered plots from landowners and could not consolidate land to scale up or use more efficient machinery.

Meanwhile, a small number of young people are drawn to agriculture courses at local universities.

Baptist University introduced the city’s first degree in agricultural science in 2019. The university said 79 students have enrolled so far, including 23 who were expected to graduate this academic year.

The first batch of graduates found agricultural and environment-related jobs in both the public and private sectors, while some have chosen to further their studies locally or overseas.

Polytechnic University’s Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) has about 30 members from 10 faculties researching food sustainability and nutrition.

Kevin Kwok Wing-hin, the institute’s coordinator for food sustainability, said Hong Kong’s constraints have pushed researchers to think out of the box.

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For example, the institute was working with a hydroponics farm to experiment with adding calcium to vegetables to solve the issue of calcium deficiency in Hongkongers.

In addition, the government will open Hong Kong’s first urban farm in Ma On Shan this year, with a long-term view to introduce rooftop farms in every neighbourhood in the city.

Kwok said that with developments in agricultural technology and successes in other countries, more young people have begun to view farming as a career option.

“We have many partner farms whose owners are in their 30s and 40s, who know that hi-tech farming methods can help them increase their output and have huge growth potential,” he said.

Staff writers

Question prompts

1. Identify THREE underlying problems in the agriculture sector mentioned in Issue.

2. To what extent do you agree with Yip’s statement that Hong Kong’s agriculture industry should not be purely commercial? Explain using News, Issue, and your own knowledge.

3. Which of the following statements about the city’s agriculture-related courses are correct?

(1) Baptist University is the city’s first to introduce a degree in agricultural science.
(2) Baptist University’s first batch of graduates have successfully found employment.
(3) Polytechnic University’s Research Institute for Future Food is experimenting with adding calcium to vegetables.
(4) The Research Institute collaborates with farms whose owners, in their 30s and 40s, are open to adopting hi-tech farming methods.

A. (1), (2), (3) only
B. (1), (3), (4) only
C. (2), (3), (4) only
D. all of the above

Question prompts

1. Which place and industry are represented in the illustration, and how can you tell?

2. According to Issue, what message might the cartoonist be trying to convey about the topic?

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Agriculture and fishery industries: the people and farms that grow fruit and vegetables and raise fish for consumption in Hong Kong. There are approximately 2,600 farms in the territory, directly employing around 4,400 farmers and other workers. The fishery industry comprises approximately 5,090 fishing vessels and around 10,240 local fishermen.

Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries: the government’s vision for the sustainable development of local agriculture and fisheries industries. Introduced in December, it outlines measures in eight major areas to enhance the quantity, quality, and value of the products of these industries.

livestock farms: farms where animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens are raised for food and other uses. In Hong Kong, these are primarily located in the North and Yuen Long Districts.

multi-storey farms: also known as vertical farming, this refers to a system that enables crops to be cultivated across multiple levels or floors and better utilise space.

hydroponics farm: farms that grow crops using mineral nutrient solutions in water. As hydroponics does not require sunlight or soil, it provides an alternative to outdoor soil-based farming. Currently, there are around 20 hydroponic farms in Hong Kong.

urban farm: the cultivation and processing of food in urban areas. The blueprint outlines plans to launch a pilot urban farm in Ma On Shan in 2024 and integrate urban farms into new towns and communities within 15 years.

rooftop farm: growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs on the rooftops and podium decks of buildings in urban areas. These farms focus on food production and cultural and community activities related to urban agriculture.

News

1. to improve the health and survival rate of the fish

2. C

3. The blueprint outlines measures such as improving infrastructure and providing resource support. Upgrading infrastructure with advanced technologies can help farmers and fishermen enhance their operations and reduce production costs. It can encourage innovation and efficiency, increasing local production.

Meanwhile, providing resource support, such as training programmes, can educate farmers and fishery operators on modern farming and fishing techniques. By equipping them with up-to-date knowledge and skills, industry players can adopt more efficient and sustainable methods to boost food production. (accept other reasonable answers)

Chart

1. Mainland China was the biggest source of Hong Kong’s food imports in 2023, accounting for 37 per cent of the total imports. (accept other reasonable answers)

2. Hong Kong has limited food production capacity as the city’s limited agricultural land and manpower make it challenging to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. As a result, it relies heavily on nearby Mainland China for its food supply.

3. One benefit is the affordable food supply. Mainland China’s extensive agricultural production and comparatively lower production costs enable cost-effective food imports for Hong Kong, providing the city with a diverse range of products at affordable prices.

One concern is the potential impact on the city’s food security. Relying heavily on food imports can leave Hong Kong vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Any disruptions in transport, such as trade conflicts, natural disasters, or global pandemics, can have a significant impact on the availability and affordability of imported food in Hong Kong. (accept other reasonable answers)

Illustration

1. It depicts the agriculture and fisheries industries in Hong Kong. The illustration shows a blueprint held by farmers and fishermen, featuring the words “Agriculture & Fisheries” along with the Hong Kong flag logo.

2. The cartoon depicts Hong Kong farmers and fishery operators expressing uncertainty regarding the blueprint for developing their industries.

Issue

1. Three problems in the agricultural sector include the stereotype that agriculture is not profitable and lacks a future in the region, limited land availability for farmers and competition from cheap and large food imports from mainland China

2. I agree with Yip’s statement to a large extent. Considering the land constraints and limited manpower in the city, it is challenging for Hong Kong’s agriculture industry to compete with mainland China in terms of price and volume. While some young people are entering the industry and introducing technology to enhance production, the sector still faces difficulties focusing solely on commercial aspects due to its lack of popularity in Hong Kong.

Therefore, it would be more practical for Hong Kong’s agriculture industry to specialise in high-quality products catering to health-conscious consumers. These consumers are willing to pay a premium for better nutritional value and are interested in supporting sustainable practices. Furthermore, educating the public about sustainable farming methods and products can help change the perception of agriculture in Hong Kong. This can, in turn, attract more interest, support, and investment in the sector. (accept other reasonable answers)

3. D