Fading dream: Local farming in Singapore faces decline

Despite being a success story, Karthik Rajan’s farm in Singapore, LivFresh, faces potential closure by the end of the year. The challenges of farming in a small country have led to uncertainty as funding dries up and investments in agricultural startups decline.

Singapore’s goal of producing one-third of its food by 2030 is falling short, with less than 10% currently achieved. As financial pressures mount, Rajan must secure $10 million in funding within six months to stay afloat.

The struggles faced by Singapore’s farmers highlight the limitations of technology and the challenges of a tiny domestic market. High operating costs, lack of demand, and bureaucratic hurdles make sustainability difficult, forcing some to consider relocating operations elsewhere.

For Rajan and others, the future of farming in Singapore is uncertain, with private funding declining and red tape exacerbating the situation. The mismatch between space and demand, along with consumer preferences for cheaper imported goods, further complicate efforts to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports.