Deep Dive Podcast: What will it take for people to pay more for locally produced vegetables?

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In: South-East Asia

Here’s an extract from the audio:

Steven Chia:

We know Singapore is property- limited. But we’ve been going towards a more high- technology type, agricultural farming or agritech farming, right? But with that in mind, the first costs are higher to get all this technology. And you’re saying because it’s so distinct, every kind of land needs different stuff to it. &nbsp,

Kenny Eng:

From the cameras to the components, it has more to it than a conventional land. Most of them are imported. It depends on where you got it. &nbsp,

Crispina Robert: &nbsp,

Therefore, the cash expenditure is extremely high. &nbsp,

Kenny:

All these high-tech farmers had a lot of offers available when the authorities, SFA, first started, and I believe the majority of them would have tapped into the money to reduce the amount they have to invest in their respective farms. &nbsp,

Steven:

Is it accurate to say that because of grants, the startup cost was n’t as exorbitant? &nbsp,

Kenny: 

Provided they take the offers. The initial investment is surely higher, depending on where you bring the technology, assuming you accept the offers. But at the end of the day itself, there are grants applicable… they have really spent tons of money to support these farmers to have a great kickstart. They do have the original kickstart, but that’s only one component of the puzzle. &nbsp,

Crispina:

Okay, but starting may not be the biggest issue they may have had because they had money to plug into. Because of researchers and others who have access to these systems, they were able to use them. But finally what’s the issue? Why could n’t they last? &nbsp,

Professor William Chen: &nbsp,

They must benefit from this gardening practice at the beginning of any high-tech farm. Many of them are converting to things local consumers might not otherwise be as enthralled about, such as cabbage and microgreens. I mean, how many cabbage do we have, right? &nbsp,

Steven:

Okay, so maybe it should have been bok choy or something else that more visitors eat instead of spinach. Or kangkong. &nbsp,

Prof Chen: &nbsp,

Yeah, but those are small income.