HDB rooftops as farmland? [News]

By Yang Razali Kassim, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 11.

Food security is an emerging global concern. Certain realities define food security planning for Singapore: It is not an agricultural country, has not much land to grow its own food, and is almost totally dependent on food imports.

As such, Singapore may be viewed as being just a passive food importer – perpetually subject to the vagaries of external forces when it comes to feeding its own people.

Such a reading, however, could change.

There are indications of a fundamental rethink in Singapore’s food security strategy. Indeed, a mental map of a multi- pronged strategy, spearheaded by research and development, is emerging on Singapore’s food security front that could turn old limitations into new strengths. Read more

Speech by Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence at the International Conference on Asian Food Security [Speeches]

Speech by Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Asian Food Security (ICAFS 2011) on 10 August 2011 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Ambassador Barry Desker
Dean
S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

Dr Gil Saguiguit
Executive Director
Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I am honoured to join you this morning for the opening of the International Conference on Asian Food Security jointly organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (or RSIS) Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, or SEARCA in short.

2. The overall theme of the conference “Feeding Asia in the 21st Century: Building Urban-Rural Alliances” is most apt, as it reflects the need for us to widen our perspective and find holistic solutions to solve our food security issues. Read more

Sowing seeds of food security for Singapore [News]

Primary 6 pupil Hui Ling Ler, 12, of Yu Neng Primary School in Bedok has developed a habit of regularly checking on the school’s gardens.

During recess and after school, she and her classmates will diligently water the plants in the school’s 20 experimental plots. They are anxiously awaiting the first harvest of some seeds they planted earlier in January – square watermelons.

Yu Neng’s little plots are but one of a growing number of urban farms emerging across the island.

The square watermelon plots are part of a larger initiative by The Living Project – a joint venture between Alpha Biodiesel and farming and landscaping firm Garden Asia. It works with emerging gardens across Singapore and aims to source for corporate funding to keep the gardens going. So far, it has secured funding from Starbucks and Brewerkz and is in negotiation with other companies. Read more

The Biofuels and Food Security Forum

Venue: The Auditorium, National University of Singapore University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing, Level 2, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077

This forum is organised by the Energy Studies Institute and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, and will explore the pros and cons of the use of biofuels as an alternative fuel, against the backdrop of soaring oil and food prices in past months. The forum panelists include:

• Ambassador Paulo Alberto de Silveira Soares, Embassy of Brazil in Singapore
• Dr Hong Yan, Director of Plant Biotechnology, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (NUS)
• A/Prof Wang Jing-Yuan, Director, Environmental Engineering Research Centre (NTU)
• Prof Claudia Ann Kinsey, Clinical Nutritionist, Centre for Natural Medical Science Singapore
• Dr Geh Min, Immediate Past President, Nature Society (Singapore)

Check out details and registration here.