A Future in Crisis

1.2

A Future in Crisis

The unremitting trends of growing populations, diminishing water supply, urbanization and climate change have contributed to the decline of arable land per person. Rising demand and flat supplies have rekindled the debate over whether production can keep up with population. The over-reliance of import-oriented countries on other countries for food becomes a risk when there is insufficient supply.

Technology and specialization have allowed countries to increase farm production by growing monocultures and exporting surplus, but Covid-19 has exposed weak points in the world’s food supply chain. With the risk of spreading contagious diseases, countries have closed their borders and limited travel, putting countries like Singapore, which rely heavily on food imports, at risk of shortages.

Singapore has successfully weathered many crises, through its strategic partnerships with numerous food exporters, diversifying its food portfolio and not relying on a single source. This coupled with its national stockpile, ensures that any disruptions to supplies does not affect the local population.2

The threat of climate change poses new challenges which cannot be solved by the continued reliance on foreign countries, and the need for Singapore to produce more of its own food becomes increasingly urgent.