The Changing Face of Rural Landscape

Introduction Area of farmland = people involved in agriculture decrease = People now involved in agriculture: facing different kinds of PROBLEMS

What problems do you think the farmers in Pak Kong? Can you list out any solution?

Introduction Problems: 1. Competition from Mainland China 2. High cost of production 3. Rural-urban migration (labour shortage)

PROBLEMS facing by present farmers 1. Competition from Mainland China Mainland China: - low production cost - cheap labour - large % of people involved in farming - larger farmland - better quality - wide varieties Hong Kong - high cost of production - expensive labour - many people involved in tertiary industry  shortage of labour - small area of farmland - low quality - narrow range of varieties

Solution High value product (e.g. market gardening) Better quality species Orchards Government Assistance

Orchards (high value species)

Market Gardening

PROBLEMS facing by present farmers 2. High Cost of Production Preparation for the land - abandon land  farmland Machinery Pesticides Fertilizers High Transport Cost Irrigation -- water pump, water pipe No subsides from the government

Mr. Leung’s lychee orchard

Solution Import seed & machinery from the Mainland  lower cost Perennial plants (decrease the frequency of harvesting) Change of operation method (buy the mature plants from the Mainland)

Perennial Plants - Lychee

PROBLEMS facing by present farmers 3. Rural-Urban Migration (Labour Shortage) PULL FACTOR: More job opportunities in urban Higher income Development of urban area  better living conditions in urban (e.g. efficient transport network) (e.g. better infrastructure) (e.g. social facilities) PUSH FACTOR: Less job opportunities in rural Hard working conditions Lower and unstable income Less development of the rural area

Conclusion Present farmers are facing lots of difficulties and problems if they still use the old method of operation  Hard to earn money They should try new operation method : e.g. lychee orchards e.g. ‘leisure’ farming