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    Green shoots: Rooftop farming takes off in Singapore

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    Monday, May 23, 2022
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    Green shoots: Rooftop farming takes off in Singapore

    Less than one percent of the country's land is devoted to agriculture


    Published:  October 01, 2020 10:44 AFP  and  Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

    1 of 14
    Copy of 742552-01-02-1601534489746
    On the rooftop of a Singapore shopping mall, a sprawling patch of eggplants, rosemary, bananas and papayas stand in colourful contrast to the grey skyscrapers of the city-state's business district. Image Credit: AFP
    2 of 14
    Copy of 742541-01-02-1601534479146
    The 10,000 square-foot (930 square-metre) site is among a growing number of rooftop farms in the space-starved country, part of a drive to produce more food locally and reduce a heavy reliance on imports. Image Credit: AFP
    3 of 14
    Copy of 742542-01-02-1601534516371
    The government has championed the push amid concerns about climate change reducing crop yields worldwide and trade tensions affecting imports, but it has been given extra impetus by the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AFP
    4 of 14
    Copy of 742544-01-02-1601534509388
    "The common misconception is that there's no space for farming in Singapore because we are land scarce," said Samuell Ang, chief executive of Edible Garden City, which runs the site on the mall. "We want to change the narrative." Image Credit: AFP
    5 of 14
    Copy of 742548-01-02-1601534499319
    Urban farms are springing up in crowded cities around the world, but the drive to create rooftop plots has taken on particular urgency in densely populated Singapore, which imports 90 percent of its food. Image Credit: AFP
    6 of 14
    Copy of 742556-01-02-1601534486385
    Farming was once common in the country, but dwindled dramatically as Singapore developed into a financial hub packed with high-rises. Now less than one percent of its land is devoted to agriculture. Image Credit: AFP
    7 of 14
    20201001 rooftop farming
    In the past few years, however, the city of 5.7 million has seen food plots sprouting on more and more rooftops. Authorities last year said they were aiming to source 30 percent of the population's "nutritional needs" locally by 2030, and want to increase production of fish and eggs as well as vegetables. Image Credit: AFP
    8 of 14
    Copy of 742545-01-02-1601534506062
    Edible Garden City, one of several firms operating urban farms in Singapore, runs about 80 rooftop sites. But they have also created many food gardens in more unusual places, including a former prison, in shipping containers, and on high-rise apartment balconies. Image Credit: AFP
    9 of 14
    Copy of 742534-01-02-1601534482391
    "What we really want to do is to spread the message of growing our own food. We want to advocate that you really do not need large parcels of land," said the firm's chief executive Ang. Image Credit: AFP
    10 of 14
    Copy of 742543-01-02-1601534512734
    Urban farmers tending to a garden in which edible plants are being grown in a former prison compound in Singapore. Image Credit: AFP
    11 of 14
    Copy of 742547-01-02-1601534502762
    The company grows more than 50 varieties of food, ranging from eggplants, red okra and wild passion fruit to leafy vegetables, edible flowers and so-called "microgreens" - vegetables harvested when they are still young. Image Credit: AFP
    12 of 14
    20201001 shipping container
    It is also using high-tech methods. At one site inside a shipping container, they are testing a specialised system of hydroponics - growing plants without soil - developed by a Japanese company. Image Credit: AFP
    13 of 14
    20201001 container food garden
    The system features sensors that monitor conditions, and strict hygiene rules mean crops can be grown without pesticides. Image Credit: AFP
    14 of 14
    20201001 edible garden
    Edible Garden City's produce is harvested, packed and delivered on the same day - mainly to restaurants - but online customers can also subscribe to a regular delivery box of fruit and vegetables. Image Credit: AFP

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