There is much our agriculture and fisheries industries can achieve provided they move towards high-tech, diversified and sustainable development. We announced last year the setting up of a $500 million Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund to enhance the overall competitiveness and sustainability of our fisheries industry. After extensive consultation with the industry, we have devised the Fund’s scope of subsidy, as well as eligibility and assessment criteria. The Fund will be used to help local fishermen identify new fisheries resources and fishing grounds in the South China Sea, develop sustainable fishing operations and leisure fishing in Hong Kong waters, spearhead the modernisation of local aquaculture, promote local fisheries products and their certification, and increase fisheries resources. It will accept applications in the first half of 2014.

The Government will review its agricultural policy to enhance productivity and promote sustainable development. This will include introducing modern and environment-friendly agricultural technologies that help conserve our natural resources and the agricultural ecology, so as to supply quality produce to our people and promote the diversified development of the rural areas. Consultation will be carried out within this year.

It's great that the Government has committed to review its agricultural policy to enhance productivity and promote sustainable development. Hong Kong’s agriculture is at an extremely low ebb. In 2012 it employed only 4,500 people directly (0.1% of our labour force) and accounted for 1.9% of fresh vegetables consumed.
I hope the review will look at best practise around the world including using advance technology. If our agricultural sector was as significant as that of the Netherlands or Denmark it would employ many more people and availability of healthy fresh vegetables would increase.