AFCD to highlight varieties at Local Organic Watermelon Festival
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 3) introduced three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons to be sold at the Local Organic Watermelon Festival.
The three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons, namely Hami Yellow Flesh, Super Sweet Black Angel 168 and Diana, were introduced from Japan, Australia and Taiwan respectively by the AFCD in recent years. Being able to adapt well to the local environment and summer climate, and promising good yields of quality fruit of suitable sizes for small to medium-sized families, these varieties have been well received by both farmers and consumers.
Hami Yellow Flesh, a newly introduced variety from Japan this year, is oblong in shape, and features green skin with stripes and yellowish orange flesh. Super Sweet Black Angel 168 is spherical with green striped skin, and its bright crimson-coloured flesh is very juicy. Diana is oblong in shape, and the intense red flesh encased under its bright yellow striped skin is remarkably sweet.
The AFCD has been promoting quality crop varieties in recent years and providing technical guidance to organic farmers on growing watermelon and other crops with a view to strengthening the sustainability of local agriculture. In order to help farmers expand their network of customers and share their harvests with Hong Kong people, the AFCD has been organising the Local Organic Watermelon Festival on an annual basis since 2007. As with last year, the AFCD has also invited all regular local organic farmers' markets to join the event. Local organic watermelon as well as other seasonal farm produce will be sold in each farmers' market starting from July. Members of the public are welcome to shop at these markets to support local farming.
The opening dates and times of the organic farmers' markets in July are listed below:
| Farmers' market | Location | Date | Time |
| Tai Po Farmers' Market | 12 Tai Wo Road, Tai Po | July 5 July 6 to 7 Every Sunday in July |
Noon to 8pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm |
| Central Farmers' Market | Central Pier No. 7 | Every Sunday in July | 11am to 5pm |
| Star Ferry Farmers' Market | Central Pier No. 7 | Every Wednesday in July | Noon to 6pm |
| Mei Foo Farm Fest | Under Kwai Chung Road Flyover (Mei Foo Section) | Every Sunday in July | 11am to 5pm |
| Sai Kung Organic Farmers' Market | Sai Kung Waterfront Promenade (near Sai Kung Waterfront Market) | Every Sunday in July | 11am to 5pm |
Furthermore, to enable the public to know more about local organic watermelons and stories of growing them, the AFCD produced a short video to introduce the species and characteristics of local organic watermelons and invited an organic farmer to share his experience. The video has been uploaded to the AFCD's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afcdgovhk).
For details of the Local Organic Watermelon Festival and arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please visit the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or Facebook page.