Asianometry Singapore Tried to Grow More of Its Own Food...
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Nov 13, 2025 Singapore aimed to grow 30% of its food by 2030, pivoting from a history of food security dominated by imports. The podcast dives into the unfortunate decline of local agriculture due to land loss and government decisions favoring economic development. It reveals the ambitious plans of the SFA, disrupted by COVID and global shocks, and explores the challenges faced by startups in vertical farming and alternative protein sectors. Ultimately, it concludes with lessons learned as Singapore refines its focus toward more realistic agricultural goals.
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From Self-Sufficient To Land-Constrained
- Singapore once grew most of its own food but lost farmland rapidly during development.
- Economic growth and land needs pushed agriculture to the fringes, shrinking cultivated land dramatically.
The Great Pig Relocation
- The government relocated half a million pigs in 1974 to address runoff pollution and consolidated farms.
- Farmers invested in new infrastructure then lost markets when policymakers phased out pig farming in the 1980s.
Diversified Imports As Security
- Singapore relied on diversification of import sources to achieve high food security despite low domestic production.
- The country imports food from over 170 countries and maintains strategic stockpiles of staples.