Singapore's goals of "30 by 30", i.e. 30% of food to be sourced locally by 2030, was set in 2019, and after many years I guess they think it is no longer feasible to do so. Admittedly local vegetables continued to be priced higher than foreign imports - who could beat the prices from either China or just cheaper vegetables from our neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia?
Thus they changed the targets last week (4th Nov), to have 20% of fibres (defined as leafy vegetables and such, not including rooted veges and 30% of proteins to be sourced locally by 2035.
Honestly I am a bit disappointed. It is possible if we truly aim for it. We have done so for water isnt it? As for the protein part, they said that eggs already exceeded the original target, i.e. about 34% of eggs are sourced locally. So indeed if we set our mind on some of these targets, it is actually possible to achieve them. The prices of locally produced vegetables could be controlled depending on the types of veges and of course the rent. Maybe NTUC could help to roll out more promotions (they did in Aug for the SG60 celebrations) too to support our local farmers.
Food prices have been rising, and the inflation of food, both raw ingredients and cooked, would continue to put a strain on our residents.
Hope fully the new targets could be met, and not just 'adjusted' along the way or pushed back further. Would keep an eye on the Food Statistics when it is next published.
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