Singapore is stepping up efforts to strengthen its food security and sustainability by investing USD 31 million (SGD 40.5 million) into agri-food research and innovation programmes. The funding aims to boost local food production capacity by developing advanced technologies that improve crop yields and expand high-value agricultural outputs. With over 90% of its food currently imported, the city-state faces significant exposure to global supply chain shocks, making innovation in farming techniques critical for resilience and long-term self-sufficiency.
A key focus of this initiative is improving productivity and sustainability in controlled environment agriculture, such as vertical and indoor farms. Experts note that costs remain high for such systems, and long-term viability will depend on enhancing crop value through traits like improved taste and nutritional benefits. These innovations may also include expanding aquaculture technologies that can contribute to protein security, which is increasingly important as global demand for sustainable seafood rises.
Food security challenges are not unique to Singapore; they reflect broader global trends where population growth, climate change, and resource limitations strain traditional food systems. Researchers and policy bodies worldwide are exploring new farming practices, from precision agriculture and climate-smart integrated farming systems to innovative aquaculture approaches, that can boost production while conserving resources. Such efforts align with the UN’s food security goals to end hunger and build sustainable food systems through science, technology, and inclusive policies.
In Southeast Asia and beyond, strategies like diversifying crop varieties, integrating agriculture with aquaculture (e.g., rice-fish systems), and adopting high-tech farming can improve resilience and nutrition outcomes. These approaches, when paired with public-private partnerships and supportive policy frameworks, aim to reduce reliance on imports, protect rural livelihoods, and make food systems more adaptable in the face of climate and economic uncertainties.
(Source: Channel News Asia)
