Talk of the town：Agriculture in Hong Kong
【明報專訊】The government has announced a proposal for land requisition at San Tin, Yuen Long, for the development of the San Tin Technopole (新田科技城). The proposal involves the requisition of 1776 private lots with a total area of about 171 hectares. Shun Sum Yuen Farm (信芯園) is one of the targeted lands in the land requisition proposal. It is a famous farm among the locals, known for its iconic and breathtaking sunflower fields. The land requisition has caught public attention and led to discussions about agriculture in Hong Kong.
Source of food in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, over 90% of overall food supply consists of imported food. Mainland China is the most crucial source of food supply for Hong Kong, particularly for fresh products such as pork, beef, vegetables, and eggs.
Agriculture in Hong Kong
The agricultural industry in Hong Kong has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades, shifting towards intensive land use and production methods to provide local consumers with high-quality fresh food.
Currently, there are approximately 2600 farms in Hong Kong, directly employing around 4400 farmers and workers. Market gardening (園藝作業) is a significant component of agricultural land use in Hong Kong. The cultivation of major crops includes food crops (食用作物) and ornamental crops (園藝作物).
According to the latest statistics, local production represents 2% of fresh vegetables, 100% of live poultry, and 12% of live pigs consumed in the territory. Leafy vegetables (such as cabbage and broccoli) and high-value cut flowers are among the most common crops cultivated, while the livestock industry is moving towards fewer but larger farms, with live pig production being the dominant sector and poultry primarily focusing on chicken production.
Balancing rural and urban development
While urban development can enhance efficiency and quality of life, it also brings about the potential loss of cultural heritage, agricultural livelihoods, and natural landscapes.
Urban development is a double-edged sword for our city, it is essential to find a suitable balance between urbanization and rural preservation.
■Grammar booster
A double-edged sword
Something that acts in two ways, often with one negative and one positive effect.
E.g. The innovation has proved to be a double-edged sword, often as capable of complicating life as it is of simplifying it.
■Gear up
1. Most of the food supply in Hong Kong is from local farms. (True/ False)
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
2. The view from the top of The Peak is _________ .
3. The _________ of wheat requires the most fertile lands.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
breathtaking (adj) 美得驚人的
cultivation (n) 耕種
dominant (adj) 主要的
essential (adj) 必要的
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第431期]
Grammar：For, during and while
【明報專訊】Pat: I've been thinking about taking a cooking class for a while... 詳情
