Citizens need to eat healthy organic fruits and vegetables.

Citizens need to eat healthy organic fruits and vegetables.

Citizens need to eat healthy organic fruits and vegetables.

Photo: The 2024 Local Organic Watermelon Festival was held in Tsing Yi for four consecutive days, with farmers exhibiting a variety of local fruits and vegetables. \Photo by Ta Kung Pao reporter Mai Runtian

The weather is hot, and it is best to hold a cold watermelon in your hands to quench your thirst. In recent years, the local area has promoted the cultivation of organic watermelons, and introduced a variety of special organic watermelon varieties including those from the mainland, which were recently launched at the farmers’ market of the Organic Watermelon Festival. Although the price of organic watermelons is more expensive than ordinary watermelons, averaging 40 to 45 yuan per pound, the sweetness is as high as 11.5 degrees. The sweetest watermelons, which cost nearly 100 yuan each, have already been sold out. Organic farming is not easy, but local farmers said that urban people pay more attention to their physical health. Organic and healthy products without pesticides and chemical fertilizers are in demand in the market, and sales channels will be further expanded in the future. \Ta Kung Pao reporter Zhong Peixin

The lobby of Tsing Yi Shopping Centre has recently been transformed into a farmers’ market, with organic watermelons being sold in stalls. Ta Kung Pao reporters saw “Imperial Jade” from the mainland, “Seedless 3F-2728” and “Diana” from Taiwan, and “Super Sweet Black Beauty 168” from Australia. Each watermelon is labeled with the sugar content measured by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff using an instrument. Citizens check the sweetness label when buying watermelons at the stalls.

No pesticides or hormones, parents can rest assured

Farmers told reporters that organic watermelon varieties generally need to be planted for 90 to 120 days before they can be harvested. Hong Kong has had a lot of rain this year and insufficient sunlight, which has affected the sweetness of the watermelons and their weight is not as good as in previous years. The organic watermelons sold this year generally weigh about one to two pounds and are sold for nearly $100 each. It is reported that the sweetest watermelon has reached 11.5 degrees. Yesterday was the second day of the farmers’ market, and the high-sweetness watermelons were sold out on the first day of the market.

“In the past, they were three pounds, but this year they are not.” Mr. She, an organic farmer, said that his organic farm has installed about 10 rain shelters to prevent the fruits and vegetables from being affected by heavy rain, but the weather is always too hot and there is no sunlight, which will also affect the quality of the products. Mr. She also said that this year’s organic watermelons generally weigh one to two pounds, about 40 to 45 yuan per pound, and the varieties “Super Sweet Black Beauty 168” and “Diana” are the most popular.

Mr. Chen, an organic farmer, said that organic agricultural products have been strictly regulated during the planting period, with no chemical fertilizers, no pesticides, and heavy metal levels below the standard. “I don’t know what’s added to the watermelons imported from other places.” Fruits and vegetables with added chemical fertilizers or hormones have a glossier appearance and a fake sweet taste. Some businesses even inject sugar water into them for sale, which makes a big difference in taste.

Mr. Deng, an organic farmer, believes that there is a certain demand for local organic food in the market. In recent years, citizens have paid more attention to health in their lives, and parents will buy organic fruits and vegetables for their children. “There are no pesticides or hormones, so parents feel much more at ease.” The farm now has a store selling organic fruits and vegetables, making it more convenient for citizens to purchase.

As planting matures, sales channels expand

In recent years, organic farming has become more mature, and farmers have added rain shelters, greenhouses, etc., and expanded sales channels. The government published the “Blueprint for Sustainable Development of Fisheries and Agriculture” at the end of last year, which is consistent with the direction of the country’s promotion of new productivity, that is, advanced productivity that is led by scientific and technological innovation, adds scientific and technological content to productivity, and breaks away from the traditional economic growth mode and productivity development path.

Mr. She has been engaged in organic farming for nearly 15 years. He admits that farming is not easy, as it involves hard work such as working in the sun and rain and catching insects by hand at night. However, the public’s support for organic crops has become a driving force for him to do a good job in farming. “Customers often ask me when there will be watermelons to eat. I feel very warmed that someone likes the watermelons I grow.”

Ms. Wu, a citizen, bought nearly 400 yuan worth of organic fruits and vegetables yesterday, praising them for their special fragrance. She said she saw on the Internet that there was a watermelon festival in Tsing Yi, so she came here to “buy goods” and hoped that more such events could be held.

The AFCD’s local organic watermelon festival has been held since last Friday. The first farmers’ market was held on the first floor of Phase 1 of Tsing Yi Square from that day and will last until tomorrow. There are also stall games and workshops on site. Citizens who buy local organic watermelons on site will receive a beautiful gift. From the end of this month, citizens can go to other organic farmers’ markets to buy local organic watermelons and other seasonal fruits and vegetables, or order them through the “Local Fish and Vegetables Direct Delivery” website or mobile app; or contact organic farmers through the Hong Kong Organic Resource Center website to purchase.

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