CapitaLand Group
With a solid business ecosystem, we deliver long-term sustainable value to our stakeholders.
Singapore
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CapitaLand Group
With a solid business ecosystem, we deliver long-term sustainable value to our stakeholders.
29 Jul 2021
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Photo credit: VertiVegies
A pinprick on the world map with just 720 km2 of land space, Singapore is one of the smallest yet most densely populated countries in the world[1]. Tinier still is the land designated for agriculture, which is just shy of 1% of the total land area[2]. If the area is a single plot of land, it will take four rounds to complete a marathon around the perimeter. So how does Singapore manage to feed a growing nation on such a little plot of arable land?
For the most part, more than 90% of the food consumed are imported. And to ensure an ample and uninterrupted supply chain, Singapore has diversified its food sources internationally. While this strategy has worked well over the years, it became apparent that to manage market uncertainties more effectively, Singapore would need to increase local food production capabilities sufficiently to buffer the food supply in the event of major supply chain disruptions or food shortages, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
To strengthen Singapore’s food security, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has set out in 2019 to raise local food production from the current 10% to 30% by 2030, without increasing agricultural land. To meet this tall order for more productive land use will require farming to be done differently and sustainably.
Many industry players and agri-tech start-ups have responded to the call to ramp up local food production with innovative technologies ranging from sophisticated agri-tech and microbiological R&D to resource-efficient urban farm engineering and rooftop farming systems.[4] Among them are three highly innovative companies, VertiVegies, Sophie’s BioNutrients and Precede.
The Cavendish, Singapore Science Park
As an indoor farm and agri-tech solutions company headquartered in Singapore, VertiVegies is committed to “Farming Fresher Futures”. It is a mission that encapsulates making positive impacts by connecting people to food and Nature through sustainable urban food production and community well-being; and one that resonates with Singapore’s 30 by 30 goal on many levels.
“We are very excited to be a part of Singapore’s 30 by 30 vision!” Ankesh Shahra, CEO & Co-Owner of VertiVegies, said. “Our expertise in agronomy and plant sciences, as well as wide access to global agri-food technologies, can certainly help to scale Singapore’s food production in the short term and contribute to the broader agricultural research and innovation landscape for the long haul.
Through controlled environment agriculture, VertiVegies no longer has to depend on external factors, like sunlight, water and soil, for food production. They have unlocked the potential of indoor food production using LED and hydroponic techniques to grow a wide range of produce, including Asian Greens, Western Greens and baby leaves. Crops farmed this way are not only safer, fresher and completely free of pesticides, but available throughout the year.
“Our cutting-edge hydroponic multi-layered vertical grow modules can optimise plant growth by closing the hydro-nutrition loop and recirculating nutrient-infused water to boost plant growth. Key data points on environmental variables along the farming life cycle are logged and analysed to determine the optimal growth condition for each crop,” Ankesh elaborated.
At VertiVegies, varieties range from crowd favourites like white pak choy...
...to sparkle rocket, a new cultivated variety of arugla non-native to Singapore. Photo credit: VertiVegies
I must particularly commend the team at CapitaLand who has been most helpful and patient in showing us a range of property options. We eventually decided on the Cavendish for its many physical and intangible benefits, including foremost securing CapitaLand as our long-term space partner. We value having such a supportive and reliable partner who not only shares our vision in sustainable food production but is able to meet our growing needs.
Ankesh Shahra, CEO & Co-Owner of VertiVegies
Rows of well-curated greens thriving in VertiVegies’s indoor farm at The Cavendish. Photo credit: VertiVegies
“It also helped that we have found a conducive space in The Cavendish to house our research, consumer engagement, education, and training activities.” Ankesh added. “Being located next to our R&D partners, NUS Enterprise and NUS Agritech Centre, makes it very convenient for both teams to collaborate and share ideas. The network of like-minded partners in the Singapore Science Park (SSP) cluster also offers new opportunities for partnership and innovation. We also liked that our new office came fitted so we could save on renovation costs and time, and move in readily."
With all urban farmers and agri-techies working to reengineer Singapore’s new farming landscape, the rest of us as consumers can also play our part in the 30 by 30 goal by buying local. Who knows? It may not be long before you will find an urban farm in a CapitaLand building near you.
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