An organic farm thrives in Hong Kong, where produce with world-class certification is feeding a growing demand
	Beautiful fruits and vegetables can be home-grown in even the smallest spaces, Hong Kong's Produce Green Foundation says

A food revolution is underway in Hong Kong as more consumers seek the "safer" alternative offered by organic produce.

According to a survey by the university-based Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre, 70 per cent of respondents had bought organic produce in the past year. They're also prepared to pay more for it, citing health concerns as the primary reason.

Centre Director Professor Jonathan Wong said a trend towards organic produce had been evident in Hong Kong for the past five years. Now it had become "an explosion", with demand outstripping supply.

"People are telling us they want safety in the food they eat," Prof Wong said. "Concern for the environment is a factor as well, although lower down the list."

World-class produce

The Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre (HKORC) is an independent body founded in 2002 at the Hong Kong Baptist University. In addition to promoting environmental sustainability, the centre's first task was to establish an international standard for Hong Kong-grown organic produce.

HKORC's certification follows International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) guidelines, ranking Hong Kong alongside the world's major organic vegetable producers, Japan, Australia and some European countries.

Organic produce is grown without pesticides or chemicals – but it's so much more as well. In order to qualify for certification, farmers must follow IFOAM's principles of health, ecology, fairness and care for the duration of a crop cycle, which is between 18 and 24 months.

According to Prof Wong, Hong Kong farmers are keen to leave the old ways behind. In 2003, the city had only 28 registered organic farmers – now there are more than 100.

Growing demand

"Farmers understand the need to cultivate and rest the soil in order to maintain its biodiversity," he said. They also recognise market opportunity. HKORC's survey suggests consumers are prepared to pay up to 25 per cent more for organic produce, and given that current supply accounts for just 1 per cent of Hong Kong's daily vegetable consumption, it's a market that's ripe for development.

Today a growing number of Hong Kong supermarkets are stocking organic produce, including ThreeSixty, an "environmental and socially responsible" food company, which opened in December. As early as 1988, however, the not-for-profit Produce Green Foundation was set up by a group of local enthusiasts concerned about modern farming and the environment.

Its Chairman, Dr Simon Chau, says that in those days "things moved slowly" until the outbreak of Sars in 2003 raised public awareness about health. The current "explosion" in demand for organic produce is "something we have been waiting a long time for", says Dr Chau, a leader in the local green movement.

Wider choice

As a result of recent food alarms, now it's much easier to buy organic produce in Hong Kong. A farmer's market in Wanchai every Sunday allows residents to buy organic vegetables direct from the fields, and so many supermarkets stock a range that it's now possible to create a meal using only organic products.

Through the Produce Green Foundation, Dr Chau is also encouraging Hong Kong residents to grow their own organic produce in the land around their premises (which the foundation calls "community gardening"), in pots on their balcony or rooftop, or even in the office. Dr Chau, who personally grows rice in pots on his rooftop, says anyone can grow nutritious foods like mung beans and fenugreek in a teapot of water over four days. Capsicums, tomatoes, onions and "all kinds of greens" grow well in pots, he adds.

Residents and visitors keen to find out more about Hong Kong's burgeoning organic food industry can visit farms such as Organic Garden at Sheung Shui in the New Territories (open every Sunday) or Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, open daily.

Related links
Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
Produce Green Foundation
Simon Chau
Organic Garden
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden