Food Security

1. Food Security Food security in various parts of the world Group: 1 Members: Benjamin Chung (1) Jarrett Tong Hao (2) Chew Jin Hao (3) ChngZhiQuan (4) Cornelius Chia (5)

2. Introduction • Food security refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it. • The Food and Agriculture Organization stated that food security “exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO, Nov 1996) • Singapore’s current food security is unstable. A news article stated that “Singapore imports more than 90 per cent of its food and is a price taker in global markets.” This shows that Singapore has to depend on other countries for food. • However, there are many factors that may disrupt the import of food in Singapore. This could lead to insufficient food in Singapore.

3. Factors There are many factors that can affect food security in Singapore namely: • Natural disasters in other countries (Recent Bangkok Floods) • Increased demand for food • Decreased supply of food imported to Singapore • Economy of Singapore • Prices of food globally

4. Problems • One main problem in Singapore that affects food security in Singapore is global inflation. • Inflation refers to the general increase in prices of goods and fall in the purchasing value of money. • Because of the global inflation, the prices of food have increased significantly. A news article states that “In Singapore, food prices rose 0.9 per cent in January this year”. • The government hence cannot afford as much food as before. This will result in less food being imported to Singapore. • This presents a major food security issue as the people in Singapore may receive insufficient food if the prices of food continue to rise. Also, since Singapore has over 5 million people, more food needs to be imported to meet the needs of the growing population.

5. Possible Solution • Singapore can use more land for farming so that agriculture can make up more of Singapore’s food supply. • REASONS: • Singapore will depend less on import of food from other countries and instead turn to local produce as a source of food. • Singapore will have to pay less to other countries for importing food. Also, agriculture in Singapore costs less compared to import of food. • When more agriculture takes place in Singapore, an urban city, foreigners will see Singapore “as a viable, efficient and environmentally-friendly complement to farms” This can help to promote tourism in Singapore so that more money can be earned from the tourism industry. • EFFECTIVENESS: • Singapore does not have much land for agriculture as most of it has been used for urban growth. Hence this solution may not be implemented due to lack of space for farming/

6. Problems • Another problem that Singapore faces regarding food security is food wastage. • Many Singaporeans do not realize the need to reduce food wastage, and as a result, many Singaporeans generate a large amount of food waste. An article in the Food Waste Republic website states that “570 million kilograms of food waste was churned out by Singapore in 2008” . • This clearly shows that many people continuously buy but waste the food. • This will result in an increased demand for food in Singapore. • However, the government may not be able to afford sufficient food for the people. This may lead to an insufficiency of food in Singapore.

7. Possible Solution • Singapore can conduct a “Food Rationing Day” where everyone is only allowed a certain amount of food for one day. • REASONS: • This method is more effective compared to raising awareness about food wastage through the media as most people would not pay attention to it, and hence implementing this method would allow everyone to actually experience what it is like to have limited food and through this, they will most likely realize the need to conserve food. • The government will have to spend less money on importing food for this day. • EFFECTIVENESS: • Even after having experienced the need to conserve food, Singaporeans may still not take action to reduce their own food wastage after the “Food Rationing” day.

8. Problems • Another problem that Singapore faces regarding its food security is the risk of natural disasters in other countries. • Natural disasters can occur in other countries and this may disrupt their agricultural produce. The recent 2011 floods in Bangkok damaged many farms, crops and fertile grounds. As a result, many farmers could not grow crops for a long time. • This disruption of food produce can result in less food being imported to Singapore. This will in turn cause the insufficiency of food in Singapore.

9. Possible Solution • Singapore can educate more students on agricultural research so that they can help other countries with their food produce. • REASONS: • Singapore can boost their own food security by helping that of other countries. By doing so, other countries can produce more food which in turn will be exported to Singapore to meet the needs of the people. Prof Teng, an expert in food security, said that “ National food security depends on regional and global food security”. • Students in Singapore institutions can hence spread the knowledge that they have learnt to help other contries in their agricultural produce. NUS aims to educate their students on “new rice varieties with features such as built-in protection against diseases”. • EFFECTIVENESS: • Even though other countries will know how to increase food production through this method., natural disasters are inevitable and may still damage the new crops produced.