More land for growing food

More farms like the Yili Vegetation and trading Pte Ltd in Chu Kang can be expected to grow under the new proposal to create a local strategic food stockpile to safeguard against turbulent world food prices. -- TNP FILE PHOTO

More farm area, funds to be set aside to guard against global shortages

MORE land will be set aside for growing food while companies will be encouraged to work with farms overseas to ensure that Singapore has a ready and stable supply of produce.

With the turbulence in food prices in recent years exposing the island state's vulnerability, these moves should mitigate supply shortages and sharp price increases in the long term.

'Local farming can serve as a strategic stockpile, like Newater,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan in a speech at the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's food safety awards last night.

More space for farms will be obtained by expanding existing farms or setting aside unused land parcels.

It has been projected that over the next five years, the local supply of eggs should rise from 23 per cent to 30 per cent, fish from 4 per cent to 15 per cent and leafy vegetables from 7 per cent to 10 per cent.

A fund, the amount of which is not yet known, will be available for farmers to tap for upgrading and expansion. It can also be used by companies, such as those involved in import and distribution, to explore if food zones identified overseas are suitable for investment of capital.

Singapore now imports more than 90 per cent of its food, and the zones will be identified for six key imports - chicken, pork, fish, eggs, leafy vegetables and rice.

Companies will be encouraged to work with growers to farm specifically for Singapore, in addition to their local communities. 'We want to encourage our companies to increase their participation in the entire value chain from food production to distribution, to better secure supplies,' said Mr Mah.

Importers now cast a wide net, working with suppliers from over 30 countries. But these growers also supply to the rest of the world, so when there is a shortage, such as that just last year, a bidding war ensues. Singapore hopes to bypass such a scrap with its own assured supply.

'As Singapore imports most of its food, we are vulnerable to sharp changes in food supply and prices,' added Mr Mah. 'More needs to be done as we prepare ourselves to face the longer-term challenges affecting global food supply and demand.'

The situation is still volatile, he said, citing factors such as: the world population is still increasing and supply will be affected by rapid urbanisation on top of years of underinvestment in agricultural development.

It is hoped that these new measures will prevent a repeat of the price inflation for food items that hit Singapore around this time last year. The situation sent the authorities scrambling to secure new lines of supply. An inter-agency committee was set up to study and review food supply policies. The new recommendations have sprung from that.

Manufacturers have welcomed the proposals. Mr Thomas Pek, managing director of home-grown soya sauce manufacturer Tai Hua, which imports up to 2,000 tonnes of soybeans a year, said his product went up in price last year following a shortage of the main ingredient.

'There was a shortage of soybeans the whole of last year and everyone rushed to secure supplies from Canada, which is the main supplier of soybeans here,' said Mr Pek. 'If we have a stable supply just for Singapore, prices will stay low and I don't have to worry.'

Some importers have already expressed interest in working with the Government to create overseas food zones.

Mr Lim Hock Chee, Sheng Siong's managing director, said his company - which imports rice and seafood - is 'seriously looking into it' and is assessing its capability to implement such a concept.

'We believe such a concept may add to the stability and consistency of food supply,' he said.

limjess@sph.com.sg