The development of Organic Farming in Hong Kong has only a very brief history. It all began in 1988 when an environmental education group -Produce Green (presently known as Produce Green Foundation) started an educational farm using environmentally friendly cultivation practices to raise crops and promote green living. Their initiatives had helped to sow the seed for the future development of organic farming in Hong Kong. Around the same period of time, another organization, Hong Kong Organic Agriculture & Ecological Research Association, also had done a lot of work in promotion of organic farming. During the 90's, more people had shown interest in organic farming. In 1999, a group of avid farmers have started the Hong Kong Organic Farming Association (HOFA). Back then, there were only about ten organic farms with small acreages, the organic crops produced could only meet the demand of very few people.

Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO)

During the 90's, the local agricultural sector continued to decline due to rapid urbanization and the profound shift in the economic structure. Amid growing public concerns over food safety and environmental protection, the government had begun to promote organic farming. While organic farming can produce food in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and better protect our farmlands and countryside, it can also open up a niche market that can bring in a premium for local farmers. Moreover, it can offer a wider and better choice of fresh vegetables to local residents. In December 2000, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) had launched an "Organic Farming Conversion Scheme " to assist conventional farmers to switch to organic farming. A protocol for organic crop production was also compiled to provide a technical guide for farmers desired to enter conversion. Working closely with the Department, the Vegetable Marketing Organisation (VMO) and the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd. (FVMCS) provide technical and marketing support to organic farmers.

In order to further develop the local organic industry and provide confidence to consumers, it is necessary to have an organic certification service carried out by an independent, third-party body. With a grant from the Agricultural Development Fund of the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO), the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre (HKORC) was established in December, 2002. The HKORC began to work on a set of organic production and processing certification standards applicable to Hong Kong. After comprehensive consultations with the industry and interested parties, the standards were completed in 2004. In December 2004 , the HKORC had launched its independent organic certification service for organic farmers and organic food processors.

The FVMCS is a local farmer's organisation which greatly supports the development of organic farming. To better serve their members, of whom, many are organic farmers, the FVMCS had set up the Community Growers Group (CGG) Office in November 2004 aimed at assisting farmers in organic certification application, providing farmers with quality organic seedlings and promoting local organic produce through agri-tourism and direct sales.

At present, there are about sixty organic farms in Hong Kong. These organic farms include the traditional family-operated farms, enterprise-operated farms and educational hobby farms. The average production volume for organic vegetables is about 2-3 metric tones per day which are distributed through supermarkets, health food stores, wet markets and farmer market.

Background:

Since AFCD introduced the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme (OFCS) in December 2000 and up to late 2004, the number of participated organic farms had expanded from 15 to 40. The location of these organic farms which were mostly concentrated in two vegetable growing zones in the New Territories, Ng Ka Tsuen and Tai Kong Po, had also expanded to the Ping Che, Tai Po and Fung Kat areas. Farmers who participated in the Scheme had to follow closely the requirements of the AFCD Protocol for Organic Crop Production, and their organic produce had to be marketed via VMO.

With the further development of organic farming, the HKORC (co-founded by the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Organic Farming Association and the Produce Green Foundation) was established in December 2002 to provide an independent organic certification service for farmers and food processors. In late 2004, the HKORC had officially launched its organic certification service.

While the organic certification service can be provided by a non-government organization, the Department focuses its technical support work for organic farmers. On the other hand, the Department also encourages and assists organic farmers operating under the "Organic farming conversion scheme" to apply for the HKORC's organic certification service. As such the "Organic Farming Conversion Scheme" has officially ended and replaced by the "Organic Farming Support Service".

Organic Farming Support Service

Organic farmers or Conventional farmers who want to switch to organic farming can contact this department (Tel. 2679 4354 or 2668 0297 and Fax 2679 5443) for the following support service:

• Sampling of soil and irrigated water for testing and on-site organic assessment
• Regular farm visit to provide technical advice and suggestions
• Technical input and advisory for organic certification application
• Introduction of organic pest control techniques and cultivation practices
• Assistance in marketing of organic produce

When conventional farmers switch to organic farming, they often face a lot of technical problems such as soil fertility management, pest and disease control etc. In order to assist organic farmers to overcome these problems, field trials are set up in the Tai Lung Experimental Station for demonstration and seminars are also regularly conducted. Since the first in-conversion organic field set up in April 2000, the total acreage of organic field in Tai Lung is about 20 dc (1.4 ha).

Regarding organic pest control techniques, we have also set up many experimental trials in Tai Lung Experimental Station and test for the efficacies of various organic pesticides such as neem oil and matrine for organic farmers use. In 2003, we have also invented a "Bug Sucking Machine" to control the flea beetle problems in Brassica vegetables. To solve the melon fruit fly problem faced by organic farmers, we have managed to design an integrated melon-fly control method which is very effective and economical.

In Tai Lung Experimental Station, we have also carried out field trials for specialty crops and then introduced to our organic farmers. For example, cherry tomato, white bitter gourd, cucumber, sweet pepper, strawberry, watermelon and rock melon are some of the newly introduced specialty crops for local organic farmers.

Soil is considered to be the origin of everything and its fertility is vital to every aspect of crop production. In organic farming, the use of compost plays a very important role to sustain the soil fertility for crop production. In Tai Lung Experimental Station, we have set up composting facilities to recycle crop residues, tree branches and other biodegradable materials produced on the farm and demonstrate to organic farmers how they can do it on their own farms.

AFCD and VMO have been working closely in the marketing and promotion of organic vegetables. VMO has been collecting the vegetables produced by organic farmers under the Department's Organic Farming Conversion Scheme and distributed via their wholesale market in Cheung Sha Wan. Local organic farmers who wish to distribute their produce via VMO may contact their office on Tel:. For the VMO's organic vegetables retail site, you may wish to visit their website: www.vmoproduce.org

Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden and FVMCS also regularly operate Farmers' market at the Kadoorie Farm or the site of Tai Po Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Society Ltd. on holidays respectively. Interested organic farmers can bring in their produce to sell at the Farmers' markets. For further information, please contact the CGG Office at Tel: 2471 1169.

Produce Green Foundation
The Hong Kong Organic Farming Association (HOFA)
Vegetable Marketing Organisation (VMO)
The Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd. ( FVMCS)
Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Hong Kong Organic Agriculture & Ecological Research Association