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StrengtheningSingaporesFoodResilienceFromVisiontoRealityWhen
of it
strucSingapores30by30visionwasannouncedin2019itshowcasedthenationsboldambitiontosecureitsfoodfuturebyproducing30%ofitsnutritionalneedslocallyby2030Thiscommitment tolocal foodproductiongainedevengreaterimportance when theCOVID-19pandemicstruckasglobalsupplychaindisruptionsandrisingfoodprotectionismhighlightedSingaporesheavyrelianceonimportsFast-forwardfiveyearsandthejourneytowardthisambitiousgoalhasbeenmarkedbyinnovationcollaborationandsomesignificantchallengesInvestmentshavebeensubstantial–nearly$250millionin2019alone–along withinitiativesliketheSingaporeFoodAgencys(SFA)30x30ExpressgrantandtheAgri-FoodClusterTransformation(ACT)FundThispursuithasspurredsignificantinnovationwithinSingaporesagri-foodsectorWhilechallengeslikelimitedlandandcompetitionfromimportsexistlocalproducershaverisentotheoccasionpioneeringnewmethodstoincreaseefficiencyandoutput–withrooftopfarmsverticalhydroponicsandalternativeproteinsexemplifyingSingaporescommitmenttoreimaginingitsfoodproductionEarlysuccessessuchasexceedingeggproductiontargetsdemonstrate thepotentialof theseefforts And while the verdictis stillouton whether the sector will fullyaccomplish thenations30by30 visionongoinginitiativesareguidingtheway–expandinglocalvegetableandseafoodproductionwithanemphasisontechnologiesthatoptimiseyieldandcatertoconsumerpreferencesMore than just an exercisein self-reliance30by30ispart of abroader strategy to enhance food securityDiversifyingimport sources strengthening supplychainsandinvestinginfoodtechnologyareequallycriticalpillarsofthisvisionWiththeriseofalternativeproteinsandinnovativeproductionmethodsSingaporesroleasaglobalhubforagri-foodinnovationcontinuestogrowAsthenationpushesforwardthemessageisclear–achievingfoodresilienceisnot justabouthittingnumericaltargetsitsaboutfosteringasustainableinnovativeandcollaborativeecosystemthatensuresSingaporesfoodsecurityforgenerationstocome6
