STATEMENT BY MISS SEEMA GAIL PARKASH, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 25, ON AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, SECOND COMMITTEE, 24 OCTOBER 2016

Mr Chairman,

1        Singapore aligns itself with the statements made by Thailand, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; and Indonesia, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Mr Chairman,

2        Food security, or the resilient supply of safe and nutritious food at affordable prices, is a complex sustainable development issue and a global challenge.  The underlying supply and demand factors which have led to rising food prices and periods of price volatility have existed for some time.  Global agricultural productivity has been in decline due to years of under-investment in agriculture, while global food demand has been steadily increasing due to a growing population.  Climate change and extreme weather events compound the problem.  The theme of World Food Day this year, “Climate is changing.  Food and agriculture must too”, is a timely reminder of this.

Mr Chairman,

3        This year, Singapore ranks third on the Global Food Security Index (GFSI).  This is a major achievement for us.  As a small city-state with no hinterland that imports over 90 per cent of our food supply, Singapore is vulnerable to fluctuations in food supply and prices, as well as food safety incidences overseas.  Singapore’s Food Security Roadmap relies on three core strategies:  optimising local production; diversification of food sources; and stockpiling.  I will focus my intervention on the first strategy – optimising local production.

4        Singapore is not an agricultural country and many may be surprised to hear of the importance that we place on optimising local production.  However, our small agricultural sector plays an important role in Singapore’s food security, as a buffer against supply disruptions.  Singapore believes we need to raise local production to achieve greater food security.  In doing so, we are turning our limitations into opportunities.  Allow me to elaborate.

5        First, Singapore believes that new technologies and innovations enable us to rethink how current agricultural practices can be transformed and become more resilient.  We envision our farms of the future to be high-tech, innovative, highly intensive and productive – able to do more, with less.  A modern and tech-savvy farm sector is also key to attracting a new generation of agricultural professionals who will write the next chapter in national, regional and global food security efforts.  Singapore has thus embraced agrotechnology – the application of modern technology and life sciences to intensive farming systems.  Our Agrotechnology Programme comprises three components: agrotechnology parks that house modern intensive farms; the development of agrotechnology and agri-biotechnology; and the promotion of investments in the agri-industry. 

6        Second, as a highly urbanised state, Singapore promotes the development of urban farming solutions and progressive farming technologies.  There is potential for us to be a “living lab” for new food production technologies.  For instance, we have been developing indoor vertical vegetable production systems for Asian leafy greens that are potentially five times more productive than conventional farming systems.  Beyond production, we are also actively looking at the use of technology and research and development (R&D) throughout the agricultural value chain.  For example, to reduce food loss and waste, we are test-bedding novel food packaging systems.

7        Third, the government is committed to working with farms to make efficient use of limited farmland and labour.  In August 2014, our government established an Agriculture Productivity Fund to help our local farms to increase their productivity and yields.  The government will continue to support farmers’ efforts through technology transfer, sharing of expertise, R&D collaboration and co-funding new technologies to help Singapore become more self-sustainable in food production.  The government will also continue to work with farms to understand their challenges and provide appropriate support.  For instance, in response to feedback from farmers that investing in technology and automation requires a longer payback period, the government now tenders new agriculture land on a longer 20-year lease.

Mr Chairman,

8        Singapore believes that every country, big or small, agricultural or not, can take steps to increase food security.  As food security issues transcend national boundaries, we must also forge win-win partnerships.  To ensure food security, it is not enough to just maintain a steady supply of food for the population.  It is also crucial to ensure that the available food, whether imported or local, fresh or processed, is safe to eat and affordable for all.  Only then can we achieve a world free of hunger, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

9        I thank you.

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