Living Water & Community Revitalisation – An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme at Lai Chi Wo

The programme is a multi-year rural community development and revitalisation programme, it promotes the sustainable development of rural area through farming revitalisation and conservation of a traditional Hakka village. The multi-year programme started in late 2013 with the necessary preparation including leasing of farmland, building trust with the villagers and calling for interested individuals and organisations to participate in farm preparation, with the aid of Hong Kong Countryside Foundation. The Programme was officially launched to mark an important milestone as all the six hectares of farmland is now ready and the first exhibition, “Traditional rice farming”, has been opened in a restored village complex. The exhibition showcases a collection of old farming instruments used by Lai Chi Wo villagers before 1980s. Among the exhibits is an eye-catching zoetrope made by a local carpenter which shows the motion of rice threshing. The village complex will be used for education and training, exhibition and display, and community gathering.

Under the Programme, six hectares of farmland in the village is prepared to deliver various types of activity including eco-friendly organic farming of over ten kinds of produces, such as paddy rice, turnip, carrot, fennel, roselle, shungi ku, sweet potato leaves, coix seed, ginger lily, water spinach, ginger, pumpkin, cucumber, okra, seed lotus and red Chinese spinach. The Produce Green Foundation and HKU scholars provide technical supports to the farming programme so that it can respond scientifically to different seasonal environments.  The Programme also includes a leadership scheme which provides training to people who are interested in setting up small farms and local businesses in Lai Chi Wo. After receiving 12 months of training, leaders can submit proposals and start their farming. It has attracted some emigrated villagers and interested city dwellers to participate and hopefully will help rebuilding the local economy and community in Lai Chi Wo.  HKU-KI, in partnership with the Conservancy Association, also provides outdoor learning opportunities to primary school, secondary school and university students (Please click here for the Programme fact sheet).

The ceremony was celebrated with many contributors and supporters of the Programme, including Dr. Sarah Liao, Honorary Senior Advisor, Faculty of Social Sciences; Mr. Lam Chiu Ying and Ms. Wendy Tsang, advisor and Chairman of HKCF; Dr. Albert Cheung, Vice Chairman of PGF; Dr. Hung Wing Tat, Director of CA; Dr. SF Leung, Director of AFCD;  and Mr. Lee Koon Hung, Chairman of Sha Tau Kok Rural Committee.  The guests filled a props with the Chinese words “rich harvest” with the locally grown rice, meaning full of produce brought by the project for sustainable development of Lai Chi Wo as well as Hong Kong society.

Media inquiries:

Mr Ryan LEUNG            (tel.: 3917-4905 / 6191-5497; email: yyan85@hku.hk)

Ms Katie CHICK            (tel.: 5218-3023; email: ktchick@hku.hk)