​The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will hold the Local Organic Watermelon Festival 2023, which is the first event of the Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival, from June 22. The AFCD today (June 19) introduced four highlighted varieties of organic watermelons for the occasion.
A spokesman for the AFCD said, "The department will hold the Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival between June 2023 and January 2024 to promote local premium agricultural and fisheries products, and strengthen the sustainability of local agriculture and fisheries by an array of carnival activities themed on local agricultural and fisheries delicacies. The Carnival also aims to provide members of the public with opportunities to enjoy happy moments together, thereby bringing more joy to the community."
Four highlighted varieties of watermelons, namely Huang Yu, seedless 3F-2728, Super Sweet Black Angel 168 and Diana, were introduced under the Local Organic Watermelon Festival 2023. A newly introduced watermelon variety – Huang Yu – is spherical in shape, green with dark striped skin, with juicy yellow flesh and a sweetness of around 10 degrees Brix (degrees of Brix denote the units for measuring sucrose content in a solution). The seedless 3F-2728 is also spherical in shape, green with dark striped skin, with red flesh and a sweetness of around 10 degrees Brix. Super Sweet Black Angel 168 is also spherical with dark striped skin in green, and its bright crimson-coloured flesh is very juicy, with a sweetness of around 12 degrees Brix. Diana is oblong in shape, with intense red flesh encased under its bright striped yellow skin. The fruit has a sweetness of around 11 degrees Brix. The sweetness of local organic watermelons is usually between 8 and 12 degrees Brix.
The first organic farmers' market of the Watermelon Festival is co-organised by the AFCD, the Vegetable Marketing Organization, the Fish Marketing Organization, the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Societies Ltd and the MTR Corporation Limited. Members of the public can buy local organic agricultural and fisheries products at 1/F, Maritime Square 1 from 10am to 6pm between June 22 and 25. Anyone who purchases local organic watermelons on-site will be given an attractive gift. The event will include organic life elements as well as other activities, including spectacular stage performances with youth participation, booth games and interesting talks for members of the public to enjoy.
Furthermore, the AFCD has continued to invite all regular local organic farmers' markets to join the Watermelon Festival. Members of the public can purchase local organic watermelons and other seasonal vegetables and fruits at organic farmers' markets from late June. They can also order from the Vegetable Marketing Organization via the "Local Fresh" website (www.localfreshhk.com) and mobile application, or purchase from certified organic farmers listed on the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre Certification Limited website (www.hkorc-cert.org). The opening dates and times of the organic farmers' markets in late June and July are found in the Annex.
The AFCD holds an array of activities, including the Watermelon Festival, under the Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival to promote local agriculture and fisheries, and bring more delightful experiences to the public. For more information about the Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival: Local Organic Watermelon Festival 2023, please visit the AFCD website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english) or its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afcdgovhk). For the latest updates of the events of the Happy Hong Kong – A and F Carnival, please visit the thematic website (www.happyhk.gov.hk), and the dedicated event pages on Facebook and Instagram.
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