​FarmFest 2024 runs for three consecutive days between today (January 5) and January 7 at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok to showcase a variety of local agricultural and fisheries products and other goods.
Jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO) and the Fish Marketing Organization (FMO), FarmFest is the largest outdoor farmers' market in Hong Kong, and local producers can directly sell their products to consumers at the event. FarmFest houses some 400 stalls, among which, more than 200 offer local produce for sale. There are also stalls selling local delicacies, organic and healthy food, and household goods.
An array of agricultural and fisheries products is on sale during FarmFest, featuring premium agricultural products produced by local organic, hydroponic and accredited farms, including green and purple kohlrabies, strawberries, mushrooms, eggplants, zucchinis, cherry tomatoes, hydroponic hok tau pak choy and hydroponic watercress seedlings. Local fresh fisheries products cultured by local accredited fish farms, such as spiny lobsters, pompanos, Yuen Long grey mullets, jade perches, orbicular batfishes, tilapia, speckled blue grouper and patin fish, are also available. Additionally, the ready-to-cook food product "Cherry Wood Smoked Pompano", developed through co-operation and research between industry, academia, the AFCD and the FMO, will be launched for sale for the first time at the carnival. Easy to prepare and delicious, the dish is ready to serve by just reheating in a microwave.
The AFCD has been proactively promoting sustainable development of the agricultural and fisheries industry. To enable consumers to learn more about the latest developments in the industry, an agricultural zone and a fisheries zone are set up at FarmFest to demonstrate how the industry boosts productivity and enhances the quality of local produce by the use of technology.
The agricultural zone introduces modern farming technologies, including controlled environment hydroponic technology, farm mechanisation and smart greenhouse technology through virtual reality (VR), to bring home to members of the public how modern technology can save manpower, time and manual labour, thereby enhancing farming efficiency. The smart organic farm will demonstrate the solar-powered automated irrigation system which can be remotely controlled. AFCD staff on-site will guide visitors to try operating the irrigation system. Furthermore, the agricultural zone will display greenhouse crops, seasonal local produce, inflatable props of the theme crops and two mascots of the Agricultural Hall "The Farmily" – "Ricey" and "Beany" – for members of the public to take photos.
The fisheries zone exhibits new aquaculture technologies which drive fisheries into modernised and sustainable development. For example, visitors can experience the modern mariculture demonstration farm established by the AFCD at Tung Lung Chau via VR technology, demonstrating the advantages of semi-submersible steel truss deep sea cages over traditional wooden fish rafts. The small-scale recirculating aquaculture system carrying local aquaculture species features the aquaculture system workflow and its functions. Furthermore, drone and microscopes are available in the exhibition area, where members of the public can see for themselves the modern methods of collecting water samples and try to detect plankton in the water on the spot. AFCD staff on-site will also guide visitors through the process and introduce different algal species. The mascots of the Fisheries Hall have also come out from Sai Kung Tsiu Hang to meet the public at Farmfest. Citizens can take photos with the inflatable props of the mascots at the photo zone of the fisheries zone.
In addition, FarmFest offers a variety of entertaining performances, including music and cultural performances, and cooking demonstrations. Photo backdrops featuring local agricultural and fisheries products are also set up for enjoyment of people of all ages. Admission is free. The event is open from 10am to 8pm, and a free shuttle bus service is available to and from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station Exit B1 located at Woh Chai Street.
The AFCD has produced a series of short videos featuring local agricultural and fisheries products. The videos and details of FarmFest can be viewed at www.farmfest.hk (Chinese version only) or www.facebook.com/farmfesthk.
FarmFest is also the grand finale event of the "Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival" and the last carnival of "Happy Hong Kong".