Shared by Ms. Kelvis Keung Yi Ting, Organic Farmula
“The vegetables are great!”, “Thanks for your effort!”…In spite of the challenge of promoting local fresh produce, every positive comment offers strong motivation for our team.
We established our farm in August 2019 with an aim to merge the concepts of “FARMING” and “FORMULA” using our knowledge in farming and marketing, and to develop a green production system with new green concepts, offering healthy and safe locally grown organic vegetables for Hong Kong people. The COVID-19 breakout half year later raised people’s awareness of food safety and hygiene, and the disrupted supply of vegetables also gave them another reason to try local organic produce. However, as vegetable supply gradually stabilised and there were more options at different prices, citizens tended to choose imported vegetables of lower prices instead.
Understand the value of local crops through first-hand experience
For the FARMULA team, the significance of running a local organic farm goes beyond offer more options. More importantly, we want to promote local organic vegetables grown without using any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, so that people can enjoy quality food without any concerns. This belief also motivates us to help the public foster a healthy lifestyle. FARMULA received the official organic certification in June 2020. After two years of relentless hard work, our production finally stabilises now. We recognise that in order to drive the further development of local agriculture, we have to start with promotion, collaboration, education, and introduction of modern equipment. These efforts will deepen people’s understanding of the value of local crops, and improve the long-term operation of local farms, gathering support for local organic farming:
Step up marketing efforts to promote the real value of local organic produce: show people the hard work and resources invested in natural organic farming, and the health benefits of organic crops through different channels, encouraging them to support local organic farming.
Foster collaboration and turn local organic vegetables into a norm: strengthen the collaborations among local farms and premium distribution platforms to promote the industry together; work with restaurants to allow more people to try local organic vegetables, so as to motivate them to enjoy the fresh produce at home. For instance, the “Sustainable Local Treasures” series recently launched by Maxim’s Chinese Cuisine celebrates seasonal organic produce with healthy, low-carbon delicacies, introducing the public to an organic lifestyle so that they can do good to their health and the environment in daily life.
Show the significance of farming through first-hand experiences: organise activities at our farm to teach participants about farming as they have to harvest potatoes, carrots, lettuces and sweet potato leaves.
Adopt technologies to improve operations: seek long-term support from the government and different organisations to introduce modern equipment and innovative agricultural technologies. These can simplify the labour-intensive tasks and attract young people to join the industry. Meanwhile, technologies can alleviate the impact of weather and natural disasters on the harvest, and guarantee the production quantity and quality, benefiting the steady growth of the industry.
Organic Farmula and other local farmers will continue to work hard to offer fresh local produce that is good for your health. With your continued support, Hong Kong people and the agricultural industry can have a fresh start, and make a commitment to safeguard the ecosystem, environment and sustainable farming.
To find out more about Organic Farmula, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/%E4%BD%8F%E5%AE%B6%E8%8F%9C%E6%9C%89%E6%A9%9F%E8%BE%B2%E5%A0%B4-101746634741260/
