SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong emphasized the importance of innovation in the agri-food sector to enhance food security and sustainability in Asia during his keynote speech at the Singapore International Agri-Food Week on November 18, held at Monti at 1-Pavilion.
Speaking to attendees, DPM Gan highlighted Asia’s significant reliance on food imports, making it imperative to safeguard food production capabilities, particularly amidst the growing challenges posed by climate change.
“Currently, about 60% of the world’s population resides in Asia, a number that is projected to increase from 4.8 billion to 5.3 billion by 2050. This population growth will bring with it a corresponding rise in food demand,” DPM Gan noted. He stressed that as technological innovations in the food sector advance, it is critical to maintain a regulatory environment that is both practical and forward-looking.
Innovation, according to DPM Gan, is essential to both boost food production across Asia and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural yields. He cited the success of precision irrigation and climate-smart agricultural practices in Vietnam, which have increased rice yields by 15% while reducing water consumption by 25%.
In Singapore, DPM Gan outlined the country’s efforts to promote innovation within its own agri-food sector as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security. He also mentioned efforts to diversify food sources and expand food types, including proteins, fibers, and various forms such as chilled and frozen options.
“At the same time, we must continue to invest in local food production to provide an additional layer of resilience, particularly in the event of disruptions in overseas supply chains,” he added.
DPM Gan also revealed that over $40 million will be allocated to 12 promising initiatives under the second phase of the Singapore Food Story R&D Programme. This funding is in addition to the $144 million awarded in the programme’s first phase. These initiatives focus on advancing innovation in urban agriculture, aquaculture, future foods, and food safety.
“With urgent challenges like climate change and geopolitical shifts threatening global food supply chains, the future of food security depends largely on innovative research and development. The projects receiving funding have shown remarkable creativity and real-world potential, and I am confident they will contribute to building a more resilient, sustainable, and thriving agri-tech ecosystem,” said Mr. Damian Chan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Food Agency.
The funded projects were selected through various grants, including the “Seed Grant” for early-stage R&D, the “Research Translation Grant” for projects demonstrating commercial viability, and the “Future Foods Grant,” aimed at reducing costs and improving processes.
Among the awarded projects, two were supported by the “Seed Grant,” five received the “Research Translation Grant,” and four were granted the “Future Foods Grant.”
DPM Gan highlighted one project under the “Seed Grant” led by a team from the National University of Singapore (NUS), which is focused on developing a genome editing platform. Dr. Andy Tay, a Presidential Young Professor at NUS and one of the winners of the “Seed Grant,” presented his research on creating precision genetic tools to accelerate indoor vegetable production.
“My lab is proud to support Singapore in shaping our food story by leveraging nanotechnology to engineer plants that grow faster and are more resilient to climate change,” said Dr. Tay.
In addition to DPM Gan’s speech, the Singapore International Agri-Food Week also featured the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia 2024 (AFTEA), which was officially opened by Dr. Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, on November 19 at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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