Country: Singapore
Type of reality: Policy
Target: Population of Singapore
Claim: Sustainable green growing
Web site: www.greenplan.gov.sg
Scenario
Urban agriculture offers the opportunity to improve food security and food sovereignty, with projections pointing to its expansion in the future. By shortening supply chains and reducing dependence on intensive fossil fuel transport, it aligns with the goals of a low-carbon economy. In addition,urban agriculture is poised to strengthen urban biodiversity while fostering cultural connections with food.
This approach enables citizens to meet their nutritional requirements within their own cultural and culinary traditions. It also plays a vital role in protecting local varieties and breeds, thus preserving genetic diversity.
Urban agriculture includes many forms, such as home gardens, community gardens, cultivated plots, school gardens, balcony and rooftop gardens, operating at various scales from balconies to large farms to the urban/rural interface. The choice of production method will vary according to each community’s circumstances and preferences.
Description
The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a comprehensive sustainability initiative that aims to address environmental challenges and foster green growth in Singapore. Its main claim is to transform the nation into a more sustainable and livable place by 2030 through various strategies and actions in different sectors. Urban agriculture emerges as a promising solution to improve food security and sovereignty, projecting increasing expansion into the future. This approach aligns the goals of a low-carbon economy, reducing dependence on intensive fossil fuel transport and promoting urban biodiversity. By providing food freshness within cities and promoting local food systems, urban agriculture enables citizens to meet their nutritional requirements within their cultural and culinary traditions.
However, it faces challenges such as soil contamination and financial sustainability. Urban green spaces, as highlighted by the successful Aerofarms case study and Singapore’s Green Plan, bring environmental, social, health and economic benefits while promoting biodiversity, providing educational opportunities, improving physical and mental health, and generating local economic benefits. Overall, urban agriculture and urban green spaces contribute to the sustainability and resilience of modern cities, providing a number of significant benefits for urban residents and the environment. It also has several goals:
- Transition to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency.
- Promotion of sustainable transportation options such as electric vehicles and public transportation.
- Implementation of green building projects and sustainable construction practices.
- Incentivize waste reduction, recycling and the transition to a circular economy.
- Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems through conservation efforts.
- Ensure water sustainability through efficient water use and investment in water technologies.
- Strengthening climate resilience through adaptation measures.
- Involve various stakeholders to support and implement sustainable initiatives.
Led by five ministries-the Ministries of Sustainability and Environment (MSE), Trade and Industry (MTI), Transportation (MOT), National Development (MND), and Education (MOE)-and supported by theentire government, the Green Plan outlines ambitious and concrete goals for the rest of this decade.
Bibliography
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- S. Jeevananda Reddy. (2022) “Pros & Cons of Farming Systems-Practices in Agriculture: A Discussion.”, Journal of Agricultural Research Pesticides and Biofertilizers, 4(1); DOI: http;//doi.org/05.2022/1.1074.
- Dieleman, Hans. (2016). Urban agriculture in Mexico City; Balancing between ecological, economic, social and symbolic value. Journal of Cleaner Production. 163. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.01.082. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293016535_Urban_agriculture_in_Mexico_City_Balancing_between_ecological_economic_social_and_symbolic_value
- Panneerselvam,P.and Kumar,S. R. and Balamurali, B. and Rakesh, S. S., 20153318152, India, 32, (3/4), New Delhi, International Journal of Tropical Agriculture, (809-814), Serials
- Opoku, A., Duff, A., Yahia, M. W., & Ekung, S. (2024). Utilisation of green urban space for food sufficiency and the realisation of the sustainable development goals – UK stakeholders perspective. Geography and Sustainability, 5(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2023.10.001
- Shakya, R., & Ahiablame, L. (2021). A synthesis of social and economic benefits linked to green infrastructure. Water, 13(24), 3651 . https://doi.org/10.3390/w13243651.
- Our Vision. (s.d.). Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/vision/
- Sustainable Urban Delta (Director). (2022, June 8). How Singapore is leading the way in efficient urban farming. [Film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9tGyNyfDbs
