LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION IN SINGAPORE: EVALUATION OF THE PLANNING FRAMEWORK AND SUPPORT FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE

Abstract

In light of the global food insecurity, based on the rapid increase in urban population and change in climate, Singapore is put in a vulnerable position due to our high reliance on food imports. Simultaneously, the constant decrease of agricultural land poses the uncertainty on local food sustainability in a land-scarce country. Urban agriculture is widely considered to be a sustainable solution for local food production by shifting food nearer to consumers. However, agriculture is traditionally considered a rural activity, which is often neglected in the urban planning framework. This study investigates the extent to which the urban planning framework and the regulatory system reinforce the concept of urban agriculture and evaluates its effects on the local food production of Singapore. Through public surveys, it was found that there is a demand for freshness of food over the price of food. However, interviews with local food producers, urban farming technology experts, and food and planning authorities showed a dilemma between striving for a productive and innovative agriculture sector, and ensuring the continuity of local farms in Singapore. Currently, many local food producers are reluctant of take on the high investment risks of technology. Moreover, the frequent re-zoning and short leases of agriculture land demonstrate the lack of priority for agriculture land use by the regulatory authorities. The ambiguity of regulations of rooftop farming also acts as a hindrance to the promotion of urban agriculture on untapped rooftop spaces that can be a potential source of local food production.