The three-day FarmFest 2019 is being held at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok from today (January 4) to January 6 to showcase a variety of local agricultural and fisheries products and other related goods.
 
     Jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Vegetable Marketing Organization and the Fish Marketing Organization, FarmFest is the largest outdoor farmers' market in Hong Kong, where local producers can directly promote their products to consumers. FarmFest accommodates more than 390 stalls, about 200 of which offer local produce for sale, including the top 10 of in-season produce: hok tau pak choi, choi sum, watercress, carrot, cherry tomato, oyster, Sabah giant grouper, grey mullet, pompano and jade perch. Booths selling local delicacies, organic/healthy food, kitchenware and household goods are also available.
 
     Premium local produce is always well received by consumers. In view of the market demand, the AFCD has been actively supporting the local agricultural and fisheries sectors to increase productivity, and to enhance quality and marketing of local produce to facilitate sustainable development of the industry. To enable consumers to learn more about the production of premium produce, exhibits are set up at FarmFest featuring seasonal crops and the technology of aquatic farming. The agricultural zone introduces the story of re-breeding a noted local vegetable variety, hok tau pak choi, as a result of collaboration between the AFCD and the local farming industry in the past few years. The re-bred hok tau pak choi, choi sum, cherry tomato, strawberry and other seasonal crops are put together as vegetable walls and strawberry columns, adding colour to the event. In the fisheries zone, pearl and oyster farming, an oyster depuration system and quick freezing technology are shown.
 
     FarmFest also offers various fringe activities such as music and cultural performances, cooking demonstrations and interactive games for the enjoyment of people of all ages. Admission is free. The event will be open from 10am to 8pm. A free shuttle bus service is available to and from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station Exit B1 located at Woh Chai Street.
 
     To tie in with the green event guidebook by the Environmental Protection Department and the Business Environment Council, this year's FarmFest will provide recycling facilities and a reusable tableware rental service in order to achieve waste reduction and clean recycling, thus enhancing the overall environmental performance of the event.
 
     The AFCD has also produced a series of short videos introducing the characteristics of local agricultural and fisheries products. The videos and details of the event can be viewed at www.farmfest.hk or www.facebook.com/farmfesthk.

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (January 4) called on registered electors to vote in the 2019 Village Representative (including Indigenous Inhabitant Representative and Resident Representative) Election (VRE) and Kaifong Representative Election (KFRE), which will start this Sunday (January 6).

     The polling for the VRE will be held from noon to 7pm on two consecutive Sundays on January 6 and 13 while the KFRE for Cheung Chau market town will be held on January 20 (Sunday) from 8.30am to 9.30pm. Electors will receive a polling notice issued by the HAD 10 days before the polling day specifying the date, time and place of the poll. Details can also be found on the Rural Representative Election website (www.had.gov.hk/rre).

     A spokesman for the HAD said, "Eligible electors are required to bring along the original of their identity document or other specific alternative documents to the designated polling station shown on the polling notice on the specified election date for their village/market town to cast their votes. The Government appeals to all electors to actively participate in the polls.

     "The HAD attaches great importance to the election. With the supervision of the Electoral Affairs Commission and assistance from other government departments, we believe the election will be held in an open, honest and fair manner."

     There are over 205 000 registered electors in the VRE and the KFRE, and a total of 1 834 validly nominated candidates in the upcoming elections. While 998 candidates have been returned uncontested, 836 candidates will compete for 397 seats in the VRE and 39 seats in the KFRE.

     For enquiries, please call 2152 1521 or visit the Rural Representative Election website.

     The opening hours of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms will be extended during the period from March 1 to May 31, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 4). People who intend to use the students' study room service during this examination period can apply for admission cards from today.

     Application forms and details of the regulations are available at all public libraries and are also downloadable from the website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/eindex.html under the "Library Notices" section. The deadline for application is February 1, and the result will be posted on the notice board of the respective public libraries from February 18 to 28.

     Applicants should be registered borrowers of the HKPL. Priority will be given to candidates sitting for major public exams or professional exams. Applicants can only submit one application and opt for one of the following sessions as detailed below:

March 1 to May 7 (admission card is required)
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Sessions:
Morning session: 8am to 12.30pm
 
Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 5.15pm
 
Evening session: 5.30pm to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
                         5.30pm to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
 
May 8 to 31 (admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis and no admission card is required)
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Opening Hours:
8am – 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
8am – 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

     The arrangement will apply to the students' study room service at Shek Tong Tsui, Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Lockhart Road, Kowloon, To Kwa Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Shui Wo Street, Lam Tin, Po On Road, Lai Chi Kok, Ngau Chi Wan, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Fa Yuen Street, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Yuen Chau Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, North Kwai Chung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Chau and Tung Chung Public Libraries.

     For enquiries, please contact individual libraries or call Customer Hotline at 2921 0208.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 4) reminded members of the public that to facilitate urgent road repair works, the fast lane of the section of East Kowloon Way westbound between Anhui Street and Wo Chung Street will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 8am to 5pm this Sunday (January 6).
      
     Due to the lane closure, the TD anticipates that the traffic along Kai Tak Tunnel westbound and East Kowloon Way westbound will be relatively busy during the above period. Motorists passing through the road section concerned should exercise tolerance and patience and drive with utmost care. Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
      
     Motorists are advised to consider using alternative routes to Kowloon Central and Kowloon West. They are also advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow more travelling time to avoid unexpected delay.
      
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
      
     Details of the temporary traffic arrangement are now available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).

     The Government Property Agency is inviting tenders for the government premises situated on a portion of the first floor, High Court Building, 38 Queensway.

     The premises should only be used as canteens, restaurants or lounges for the supply of meals, light refreshments, beverages and other food commodities.

     The tender notice was uploaded today (January 4) to the Agency's website: www.gpa.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 31/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, during office hours (8.30am to 5.45pm from Mondays to Fridays). The documents can also be downloaded from the Agency's website.
      
     Interested tenderers who wish to inspect the site should make prior appointment with the Government Property Agency by calling 2594 7697 on or before January 18 this year.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, before noon on January 28 this year. Late tenders will not be accepted.