Support for SMEs

To provide direct grants to local farmers for acquisition of farming equipment and materials for helping farmers improve their farming efficiency and productivity.

Farm Improvement Scheme is set up under Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund to provide direct grants to local farmers. The eligible farmers along with their spouses can choose to apply for project grants either in their personal capacity or through group applications.

Funding Scope
Applicants may choose and purchase their own farm machinery/equipment, and some suppliers are listed as below for their reference. The inclusion of any suppliers in the list does not in any way imply endorsement or recommendation by the HKSAR Government.

• List of Suppliers of Farm Machinery
• List of Maintenance Service Providers of Farm Machinery

Amount of Grant (Individual Application)

• The grant will be issued on a reimbursement basis and will cover up to 90% of the cost of each piece of eligible equipment and materials purchased, i.e. the successful applicant is required to bear at least 10% of the cost.
• The total maximum grant that an eligible farmer along with his/her spouse may receive is capped at HKD50,000 for one production unit. If the applicant and his/her spouse own or operate more than one production unit that has not received a grant previously, or subsequently acquire or operate another production unit, they may apply for two grants; with one grant capped at HKD50,000, the maximum grant they may receive is capped at HKD100,000 and the item(s) so acquired can be used in all their production units.

Individual Application

• An applicant must be a resident or a registered company/organisation of Hong Kong and operate a crop farm engaged in commercial production of not less than 1 dau chung (d.c.) or a licensed livestock farm in Hong Kong.
• To prevent double benefit, each eligible farmer along with his/her spouse may only apply for one grant for the production unit that has not received a grant previously. However, if the applicant and his/her spouse own or operate more than one production unit that has not received a grant previously, or subsequently acquire or operate another production unit that has not received a grant previously, they may apply for two grants and the item(s) so acquired can be used in all their production units.
• An applicant would need to provide proofs to certify that his/her farm is an operating farm for commercial production.
• Only equipment and materials shortlisted by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for FIS and put to use in the applicant’s farm are eligible for application for grant.

Group Application

• Legal entities that fulfill the eligibility requirements for the Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund. That is to say, legal entities incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) with substantial connection to Hong Kong or body corporates incorporated in Hong Kong under other Ordinances of the HKSAR, and having demonstrated a close connection with the agricultural industry in Hong Kong. These include local registered agricultural co-operatives, non-profit-making agricultural organisations, non-governmental organisations or social enterprises.

• Farm Improvement Scheme is open for application all year round.

Individual Application

• Applicants should submit the completed application form (with original copies of supporting documents required for verification), to the Yuen Long Agricultural Extension Office in person. The address is as follows:
  5/F., Yuen Long Government Offices
  Tai Kiu Market, 2 Kiu Lok Square
  Yuen Long, New Territories
• In case an applicant wishes to submit an application in person to the Secretariat, he/she may make a prior appointment by telephone at 2150 6829.

Group Application

• Applicant should submit the completed application form with supporting documents by email to sadf@afcd.gov.hk or by post to:
  Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund - Farm Improvement Scheme (Group Application)
  The Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund Secretariat
  Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
  5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices,
  303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon