Homegrown : Singapore's farming story

Abstract

In the nation’s bustling metropolis with its towering skyscrapers and sprawling shopping districts lies an almost forgotten breed of farmers. Though few Singaporeans know about them, these farmers are the country’s answer to a more independent food supply. Nestled in Singapore’s hinterlands are veteran farmers who have weathered through decades of change but survival is an increasingly uphill task as the nation champions high-tech farming to strengthen its food security. Concerns over food security in recent years have fuelled interest in the farming sector. When Malaysia announced that it may stop or limit the export of eggs last December, questions abounded on Singapore’s vulnerability as an import-reliant nation. The government responded with goals to raise local production to fulfill 30% of food needs by 2030, through advancements in agricultural technology. Steering the nation towards fulfiling this goal is the new Singapore Food Agency, slated to launch on 1 April 2019. At the heart of this transformation is an emerging crop of farmers. Armed with novel technologies, they have made significant breakthroughs in food production and may be the key to increasing local production in this land-scarce nation. But as they battle high costs and their lack of farming experience, their ability to contribute to the nation’s food security is brought into question. Homegrown is a collection of stories unearthing the lives of farmers and the challenging quest to feed our nation.