Business players emphasized that sourcing local farmers improves the country’s food safety.  ,
” Singapore is not an agricultural country like many other places, but we need to start to think about that ( food safety )”, said Dr Kevin Cheong, adjunct professor at School of Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian Business Business School.  ,
Given that Singapore exports over 90 % of its meal, he added, the problem was brought to attention during the COVID-19 crisis, which was a major issue for food safety.  ,
” It’s not just about buying local, but understanding why we do it. ( We ) need to start from young”, he added.
WISH LIST FOR MORE SPACE
Dr. Cheong said that one way to keep the fish gardening sector growing is to get younger workers.  ,
Mr. Ong, the bass farmer, reported that he has observed more young people becoming interested in gardening. Some boys wrote in to ask for jobs and work at his company, he claimed.  ,
One of the reasons is that they are curious about the food’s roots and whether it is being farmed properly, he said, adding that this is a positive growth for the sector.  ,
Additionally, he wants to have more land for raising child fish in his own hatchery so they can become stronger.  ,
” Right now, we fly the fish in, so it’s very difficult for the child fish”, he said.
The government’s strategy also involves boosting the local source of physically superior egg and fingerlings.
” I firmly believe that we can create fish that is competitive, clean, healthy, and it’s good for the market, but we do need more sea space in order for us to produce more fish for the native market”, said Mr Ong.