AUGUST 2022 — In 2019, Singapore announced the “30 by 30” goal: to produce 30 percent of its nutritional needs locally by 2030.
To overcome challenges such as land and resource constraints, there is a growing need to leverage technology and seek innovative ways to increase production as we work towards being a self-sufficient food economy.
RP’s Role in Supporting the "30 by 30" Goal
While Food Security has always been a national priority for Singapore, recent global events have reinforced the importance of ensuring a safe, stable and sustainable food supply. As a land-scarce nation, Singapore imports most of our food. For Singapore to be more self-sufficient and resilient, there is a rising need to increase the amount of locally-produced food and reduce our dependence on food imports so as to cushion the impact against supply disruptions.
To support Singapore’s "30 by 30" goal, RP has made a concerted effort to drive food sustainability and agri-tech innovation through project collaborations with industry partners and launching relevant courses to train professionals in this specialised field.
Opening of The Greenhouse
Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs, officiated the opening of The Greenhouse in August 2022.
Delivering his address, Dr Maliki congratulated RP on its 20th Anniversary whilst highlighting RP’s growth over the years as a unique polytechnic with several niches and areas of strengths.
The Greenhouse will support our industry partners in agriculture-related training programmes and projects, as well as Pre-Employment Training and Continuing Education and Training students.
Students will be able to gain hands-on experience in a range of subjects, from farm operations to plant genetics. They will also be able to further their agri-tech and agri-food endeavours, exploring innovative and unconventional approaches.
Sustainable Features at The Greenhouse
Situated at the RP campus, the facility features a naturally ventilated greenhouse, a climate-controlled glasshouse, and two floors of container laboratories that allow the creation of precise microclimates.
With such provisions, students and staff are able to experiment with a range of conditions for different crop types while utilising industry-standard cultivation systems. They can then analyse the results to test factors such as plant growth, yield and nutritive value.
Sustainable elements, such as a building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) on the roof and a water treatment system for recycling spent nutrient solution, ensure that students are exposed first-hand to methods that can reduce a building’s environmental footprint.
Specialised Technology Leads to More Productive Collaborations
In addition to nurturing local talents, The Greenhouse presents opportunities for RP to deepen its industry engagements and expertise in agri-tech.
The facility can function as a test bed for a wide range of industry innovations, including bio-based solutions, genetics and breeding, and machine learning.
RP will also leverage The Greenhouse’s advanced agricultural systems to facilitate collaborations with established partners — including Sembcorp Industries and Ripe Fresh — driving initiatives in urban agriculture, plant science, sustainable energy, and water solutions.
Cultivating Projects That Make a Difference
The Greenhouse has already kickstarted noteworthy projects.
Hacky Teng, a Year 3 student from RP’s Diploma in Biotechnology, discovered that by stressing plants, she was able to improve yield and increase phytonutrients, which have beneficial effects on consumers. This could mean that companies are able to produce more nutritious food, in greater quantities, by changing the conditions under which crops are grown.
RP has also successfully explored a project with Cuprina Pollination Services that uses blowflies to increase pollination efficiency in strawberry plants.
This research is promising in light of Singapore’s journey towards greater food security, especially in the wake of the pandemic.