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No. 127/2017 dated 30 June 2017
World Agricultural Forum 2017
Singapore and Food Security
By Ong Keng Yong
Synopsis
Food security can be enhanced by strategic initiatives. Land scarce countries can still do much for agriculture and farming with effective policy measures. Singapore has learned to address the multi-faceted challenges of food security with good planning, efficient utilisation of available resources and clear vision for the future.
Commentary
WHILE MANY analysts have raised concern about feeding the world’s estimated 9.7 billion population by 2050 due to the prospects of supply not meeting demand, others have refuted this claim on grounds that even today, more food is produced than is actually consumed or needed. Yet the problem of hunger is still found in many parts of Asia and Africa. The persistence of hunger reflects the fact that food security is not only about having sufficient quantity of food available, but also about having physical and economic access to it.
WHILE MANY analysts have raised concern about feeding the world’s estimated 9.7 billion population by 2050 due to the prospects of supply not meeting demand, others have refuted this claim on grounds that even today, more food is produced than is actually consumed or needed. Yet the problem of hunger is still found in many parts of Asia and Africa. The persistence of hunger reflects the fact that food security is not only about having sufficient quantity of food available, but also about having physical and economic access to it.
In
dealing with food security, the Singapore story is germane. Singapore
does not grow nor produce most of its own food because of its limited
land area. It has to import 90% of the country’s total consumption from
abroad. Despite these limitations, food supplies are well managed. For a
land scarce country, Singapore is regarded as the most food secure
country in Asia according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global
Food Security Index (2016), and is also ranked 3rd globally. Singapore,
in fact, has been able to work around its constraints and has shown
impressive results in meeting its food and agricultural needs. For
example, Singapore has increased self-sufficiency in leafy
vegetables from 7% in 2010 to 12% today and it has been leading in
technology and innovation in food production. How is this achieved?
Three things stand out that merit attention.
Major Hub for Global Agricultural Trade
Major Hub for Global Agricultural Trade
A
key feature in Singapore’s economic development policies is its
multi-pronged yet integrated and coherent approach to stay relevant and
be plugged into the global economy. There is a constant reference to
change and future. The focus is on how to maximise utilisation of
available resources and innovate public policy where necessary. Public
education is purposefully carried out to get citizen's support as well
as to launch entrepreneurial activities.
Since
its independence, Singapore has worked hard to become a major hub for
regional trade and commerce. It has built and developed excellent
infrastructure including roads and ports to continuously draw
investments into the city-state. Singapore strategically devises policy
measures and incentive packages to maintain its economic competitiveness
and role as the key centre for business, finance and transportation in
Asia.
The
traditional entrepot functions of Singapore brought many Southeast
Asian companies and international business to the island republic. Over
the years,while Singapore does not have an agriculture sector, it
captures 20% of global agri-commodities trade. With its well-established
networks of consumers and producers of agricultural products, Singapore
now serves as a significant node for agricultural trade in the region
and the global chain.
With
no signs of letting up, Singapore further plans to strengthen its role
as a key trading centre for agricultural goods and food. The initiative
revolves around a well-melded eco-system where every aspect of servicing
this trade is efficiently developed.
Leveraging on Technology
Today,
the landscape of food consumption, production and trade has changed
significantly. With the rise of per capita income in developing
countries, consumers are more exacting in food quality and safety.
Imports of meat and cereals have grown due to increasing demand. On the
other hand, climate change, rural-to-urban migration and population
expansion threaten to reduce the yields in agricultural production,
affecting supply. Given the risk that less food could be produced, the
future of smallholder farms is under threat. Therefore, food security
policies need to be reviewed regularly.
Against these trends, there is now more push to modernise agriculture. In Singapore, policy attention and multi-sectoral collaboration are given to develop science, technology and innovation. Singapore has recorded a number of achievements. Home-grown companies like Apollo Aquaculture, through its innovation of farming fish in stacked indoor tanks and treated water, is able to increase yields and reduce fish deaths amid warming climate affecting open sea.
Against these trends, there is now more push to modernise agriculture. In Singapore, policy attention and multi-sectoral collaboration are given to develop science, technology and innovation. Singapore has recorded a number of achievements. Home-grown companies like Apollo Aquaculture, through its innovation of farming fish in stacked indoor tanks and treated water, is able to increase yields and reduce fish deaths amid warming climate affecting open sea.
Similarly,
companies like Panasonic and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory are using
technologies such as vertical farming and optimisation of indoor
temperature and humidity to not only increase yields dramatically, but
also open up possibilities of growing fruits and vegetables not
indigenous to Singapore.
Singapore is ever conscious of the need to further technological advancements to expand avenues of food and agricultural trade. Singapore has invested heavily in food science and technology. One example is Nanyang Technological University’s Food Science and Technology Programme and Food Technology Centre whose mission, among others, is to explore alternative ways of food treatment and hazard assessment. Strategically, Singapore is planting the seeds to become a knowledge hub for developing new and sustainable ways of producing food and contributing to the growing of agriculture.
Singapore is ever conscious of the need to further technological advancements to expand avenues of food and agricultural trade. Singapore has invested heavily in food science and technology. One example is Nanyang Technological University’s Food Science and Technology Programme and Food Technology Centre whose mission, among others, is to explore alternative ways of food treatment and hazard assessment. Strategically, Singapore is planting the seeds to become a knowledge hub for developing new and sustainable ways of producing food and contributing to the growing of agriculture.
Harnessing Talent
While agriculture has traditionally been ranked lower compared to the other sectors of the economy, apart from the technical and scientific research related to it, the advent of new farming technologies and further growth in agri-commodities trade have paved the way towards creating more professional-level jobs.
While agriculture has traditionally been ranked lower compared to the other sectors of the economy, apart from the technical and scientific research related to it, the advent of new farming technologies and further growth in agri-commodities trade have paved the way towards creating more professional-level jobs.
With
growing presence in Singapore of top agri-commodity trading companies,
such as Olam International and Cargill, as well as corporate giants such
as Monsanto and Syngenta, there is potential for more jobs in
transportation and logistics management, finance, microbiology, and
data/statistical analysis, among others.
While
Singapore has attracted foreign talent as part of its policy to drive
economic growth, the imperative now lies in harnessing more local talent
to meet the job requirements in the agri-food sector. Apart from
offering more courses related to these in the higher institutes of
learning, the younger generation has to be encouraged to pursue careers
in the relevant fields.
With
more activities to profile and grow Singapore's eco-system for
agricultural and food trade, there can be greater interest in agri-food
occupations among Singaporeans who are also likely to venture abroad for
opportunities in farming and food enterprises.
In
sum, Singapore’s food security strategy stresses the importance of
trade, technology and talent through policies such as food source
diversification, optimal local food production and building
multi-sectoral networks. Policy planners look at the country’s strong
trade and diplomatic links as well as overall national development to
ensure Singaporeans enjoy a regular and resilient supply of food.
Ong Keng Yong is Executive Deputy Chairman of the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. This is part of a series on the World Agricultural Forum 2017.
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