HOW MUCH FOOD CAN SINGAPORE PRODUCE?

Abstract

Singapore imports over 90% of its food. Global food demand is increasing while future food supplies decrease, which can further jeopardize Singapore's food security. Local food production will decrease foreign food import dependence, thereby improving Singapore's food security. Cultivable area in Singapore was estimated using Google Earth* satellite images and processed using ArcGIS® software. Forest and turf patches can be used for cultivation ofdeep-rooted staples, while rooftop gardens can be used for leafy vegetables. Maximum crop yields were extrapolated using specific annual crop yields and estimated cultivable area. Kang kong (Ipomoea aquatica) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) were selected given their high annual yields. A literature review was conducted to explore food production-related issues. Singapore cannot produce sufficient food to be food secure, given the many competing uses for its limited land and the unsuitability of most areas for cultivation. Using traditional cultivation methods, Singapore can produce 88,000 tonnes of kang kong and 307,700 tonnes of sweet potato annually, feeding 17.8% of its current population of 5.3 million. Mass monocultures of the congeners—kang kong and sweet potato—if grown and consumed for prolonged periods, will pose pest- and disease-management problems, nutritional deficiencies and provide a monotonous diet.