7 December 2019

The “Along with the President” Series #11: Organic Farming Experience was held on 7 December 2019. President Simon S M Ho, together with a team of 19 participants consisting of students and colleagues, arrived at the Produce Green Foundation (PGF) Organic Farm in Hok Tau Village, Fanling, early in the morning where they began their organic farming experience.

The PGF guide introduced the features and differences between organic and conventional farming to the team before some hands-on experience in the farm, where she explained the use of different field tools such as hoe, rakes, sprinkler etc. Under her guidance, participants tried to use the field tools to practise some basic farming techniques in small patches of fields, which included fertilising, hoeing, raking, sowing seeds and irrigating.

After around 90 minutes of practice in the farm, the team took a guided tour around the organic farm to gain deeper understanding of the concept and operation of organic farming. During the tour, participants showed keen interest and asked about the growth process of different organic produce of PGF, thereby learning more about organic farming and ecological balance, such as the use of weeds and food waste to produce different organic fertilisers; the use of crop rotation to rebuild soil health; the use of natural and organic methods for organic pest control; maintaining biodiversity, etc., to help achieve a balanced ecosystem and the sustainable development of land and the natural environment.

At the end of the tour, the team left PGF and went on a hike on Hok Tau Country trail, a route flanked by village houses and fields with different crops and flowers glimmering in the sunshine and showing the vitality of nature. After around an hour of walking, the team reached Sha Tau Kok Road and then went to Luen Wo Hui to enjoy a simple lunch hosted by the President Ho.

Through the body and mind stretching activities of the day, participants enjoyed the pleasure of both working on a farm and hiking in nature, and deepened their understanding of the sustainable development of organic farming. Student participants also seized the opportunity to share with President Ho their university life experience and discussed topics such as career planning, student affairs and innovations, which enhanced understandings between President Ho and the students.

The activity received very positive feedback from participants, who were eager to join similar activities and interact further with the President in the future.