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Second, we have increased support to farms for energy efficiency and productivity transformation. SFA ensures that the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund remains relevant in meeting farms’ business and growth needs. In 2022, the ACT Fund was enhanced to extend the higher co-funding quantum of 70%, or up to $6 million, to a wider range of food types, such as fruited vegetables, mushrooms and shrimps, allowing more farms to benefit from higher co-funding. The ACT Fund encourages farms to invest in productive and resource-efficient technologies that can help to manage resource use and, consequently, operating costs. In 2023, SFA introduced the Energy Efficiency Programme (EEP) under the ACT Fund to co-fund energy efficiency audits and the adoption of energy-efficient equipment and technologies to help farms better manage their electricity costs. As of 30 April 2024, SFA has awarded $25.7 million to support 68 projects under the ACT Fund.

To ensure funds are used effectively, the grant is allocated only after considering the farms’ financial statements, key personnel involved in farming, relevant track record, the merits and reasonableness of the project proposal, projected costs and whether the outcome supports Singapore’s food security. SFA requires funding recipients to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) in areas, such as production output, energy and manpower savings. Farms are also required to submit half-yearly progress reports to document progress in the project. The funds are disbursed through reimbursement and in tranches, ensuring that project milestones are achieved before additional funds are released.

Third, we are also working to increase demand for local produce. The price of food reflects a combination of factors. Aside from costs of production, higher prices may also reflect better quality and value, such as freshness or being pesticide-free, which are value-added attributes that consumers might be willing to pay for.

SFA is supporting the industry through the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation Limited (SAFEF), which has spearheaded the formation of an industry level supply and demand aggregator that partners farmers, traders and food processing companies to better match demand and supply. Through the efforts of SAFEF and its partners, locally grown vegetables and fish are now sold at Fairprice supermarkets under a six-month trial under the brand names “The Straits Fish” and “The SG Farmers’ Market”. I am heartened to hear that consumer response to the products has been positive.

Consumers can play a part in ensuring our national food resiliency by choosing to purchase local produce that are labelled with the red SG Fresh Produce logo, or dining at food businesses under the Farm-to-Table Recognition Programme which recognises food businesses that feature local produce on their menus. Together, we can continue to safeguard Singapore’s food security.

The “30 by 30” vision has always been an aspiration, which seeks to rally our efforts around the important task of enhancing Singapore’s food security. We have achieved some results in a few areas. For example, our local egg production now contributes more than 30% of local consumption from 26% in 2019. Local beansprout production has also come in at more than 50% of consumption. We have also seen both new and existing farms harnessing technology and innovation to scale up production and operate productive, viable models. Some have expanded their operations to higher-value products that better cater to consumers’ evolving demands. SFA will continue to anchor more of such farms and help them scale up over time.

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