Motion: Poh Li San on securing Singapore’s food future

The government should enhance food resilience and support efforts to reduce food waste through partnerships with all of society. This would ensure that Singaporeans have access to affordable food supply amidst geopolitical uncertainties and climate-related risks. MP Poh Li San moved this motion in parliament on Wednesday (Sep 9), saying that Singapore would be better off producing more food locally, wasting less and keeping food prices more affordable. She called for a more coordinated food import policy and food redistribution ecosystem. She also stressed the need to treat local food production capability as part of Singapore’s total defence security. She urged the government to increase its support to boost the local food production and self-sufficiency rate to at least 30 per cent. Turning to food waste, the government should create a more circular food ecosystem so that uncooked food is rescued, redistributed and consumed. Ms Poh also called for stronger support for food charity groups. One way is to have a nationwide community dining ecosystem, with small-scale pilots across various towns.