Press Releases
AFCD to highlight varieties at Local Organic Watermelon Festival
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
The Local Organic Watermelon Festival will commence on July 1. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (June 29) introduced three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons for the occasion.
A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Three highlighted varieties of watermelons, namely seedless 3F-2728, Diana and Super Sweet Black Angel 168, were introduced by the AFCD as part of the department's promotion of quality produce of environmentally friendly cultivation practices through organic farming. Being able to adapt well to the local environment and summer climate, while promising good yields of quality fruit of suitable sizes for small to medium-sized families, these varieties have been well received by both farmers and consumers."
The seedless variety seedless 3F-2728 is spherical in shape, green with dark striped skin, with red flesh and a sweetness of around 10 degrees Brix (degrees of Brix denote the units for measuring sucrose content in solution). Diana is oblong in shape, with intense red flesh encased under its bright striped skin in yellow. Characterised by its early maturity and high yield, the fruit has a sweetness of around 11 degrees Brix. Super Sweet Black Angel 168 is spherical with striped skin in green, and its bright crimson-coloured flesh is very juicy with a sweetness of around 12 degrees Brix. The sweetness of local organic watermelon is usually between 8 and 12 degrees Brix.
The AFCD has been promoting quality crop varieties and providing technical guidance to organic farmers on growing watermelons and other crops with a view to strengthening the sustainability of local agriculture. In order to help farmers expand their sales network and share their harvests with members of the public, the AFCD has continued to invite all regular local organic farmers' markets to join the Local Organic Watermelon Festival this year. Local organic watermelons as well as other seasonal farm produce will be sold in farmers' markets from July. Members of the public are welcome to shop at these markets to support local farming. In addition, the AFCD will also join hands with the Vegetable Marketing Organization and the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd (FVMCS) to organise the Local Organic Watermelon Festival at Tai Po Farmers' Market from July 1 to 3, 9am to 5pm. The activities include an organic agricultural product exhibition and sales, an organic agriculture introduction and booth games, while members of the public who purchase watermelons will receive attractive gifts. Furthermore, members of the public can order from the Vegetable Marketing Organization via the "Local Fresh" mobile application or purchase from certified organic farmers listed in the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre Certification Limited website (hkorc-cert.org/en). Local organic watermelons and other seasonal farm produce are only available for a limited time while stocks last.
Opening dates and times of the organic farmers' markets in July are found in the Annex. To tackle the pandemic, visitors should comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease, maintain personal and environmental hygiene and an appropriate social distance, as well as properly disposing of used masks and waste.
For more information about the Local Organic Watermelon Festival, please visit the AFCD website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english) or its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afcdgovhk).
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (June 29) introduced three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons for the Local Organic Watermelon Festival. Photo shows those varieties with sweetness labels, namely Super Sweet Black Angel 168 (left), Diana (centre) and seedless 3F-2728 (right).
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (June 29) introduced three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons for the Local Organic Watermelon Festival. Photo shows Agricultural Officer (Horticulture) of the AFCD, Ms Wong Mun-wai, introducing the highlighted varieties of watermelons as part of the department's promotion of environmentally friendly cultivation practices through organic farming.
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