AFCD signs contract for Pilot Project on Urban Farming in Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Garden

Breaking news: afcd launches innovative urban farming pilot project in ma on shan sai sha road garden

Afcd signs contract for pilot urban farming project in ma on shan sai sha road garden, bringing fresh and low-carbon food to urban dwellers.

​The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) signed a contract today (May 24) with Farm66 Investment Limited for the Pilot Project on Urban Farming in Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Garden (MOSSSRG).

An AFCD spokesman said, "The Pilot Project on Urban Farming is one of the key measures of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. The overall concept of urban farming is to integrate agriculture into the city and provide urban dwellers with high-quality, fresh and low-carbon food, as well as green landscapes and modernised farming experience, while improving the quality of urban life and liveability."

Under the five-year pilot project, a modernised indoor crop farm with a land area of around 500 square metres will be set up in the MOSSSRG. The farm is expected to start production in the fourth quarter this year, with a view to providing the public with fresh agricultural products from farm to table with low-carbon footprints, as well as offering venues within easy reach for leisure, education and parent-child activities. The AFCD will continue to search for suitable venues to conduct similar pilot projects.

The Government will continue to implement measures related to urban farming through a multipronged approach, including introducing urban farming elements into the planning stage of New Development Areas (NDAs), making effective use of urban spaces in the Northern Metropolis and other NDAs. The Government will also set up modernised hydroponic farms and stalls on suitable rooftops of public markets. The concept of "harvest-to-sale" will first be adopted in Tin Shui Wai Public Market, which is under construction.

Additionally, the Government will encourage business enterprises to develop modern urban farms, and explore the possibility of setting urban farming as one of the indicators of green buildings through working with public bodies or non-profit making organisations related to green buildings. At present, the urban farms of some projects are recognised by Building Environmental Assessment Method Plus (BEAM Plus) as innovative measures and rated. The Government will also explore officially incorporating urban farming facilities into the assessment scheme of BEAM Plus to encourage business enterprises to integrate elements of urban farming when planning property development projects, so as to blend agriculture into urban life, promote the physical and mental well-being of users of the building, and enhance Hong Kong's development and standards in sustainable architecture.

AFCD signs contract for Pilot Project on Urban Farming in Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Garden Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD signs contract for Pilot Project on Urban Farming in Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Garden Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD signs contract for Pilot Project on Urban Farming in Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Garden Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorm

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 27) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-generated images