SFA Releases Tender For Rental of 7 Sites at HDB Car Parks for Urban Farming

Last Updated on 2021-02-26 , 9:41 am

Much like my head after a long day’s work, multi-storey car park rooftops at residential areas are typically empty.

This may be because motorists don’t want their vehicles to boil in the sweltering sun all day.

It has become something of a hangout spot for students after school, but that might change soon.

In the not too distant future, you may see some crops growing at the top of your HDB multi-storey carparks.

SFA Releases Tender For Rental of 7 Sites at HDB Car Parks for Urban Farming

7 more sites at these car park rooftops were launched by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Tuesday (23 Feb) for rental by public tender.

The first tender for HDB multi-storey car park rooftop sites was launched last year, and the SFA awarded nine sites for urban farming.

These sites will be used to farm vegetables and other food crops, as well as for other related purposes, such as the packing or storage of produce, SFA and HDB said in a joint media release.

Six of the seven new sites are located in Bukit Panjang, Sembawang and Woodlands, with each location consisting of two sites.

The seventh location is a single 2,096 sq m site in Jurong West.

In-Line With Long-term Sustainability Targets

Both agencies said that utilising such spaces in the country for commercial farming is just one of the many strategies SFA has been undertaking to achieve Singapore’s “30 by 30” target.

Under this target, the country aims to locally produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030.

Besides contributing to Singapore’s food security, the rooftop farms can help raise support for local produce.

This move also aligns with the authorities’ goal of making HBD estates more green and sustainable.

“It is great to see residents in the area enjoying fresh produce straight from such farms and found conveniently at nearby supermarkets,” Melvin Chow, senior director of SFA’s Food Supply Resilience Division, said.

What is Urban Farming?

While urban agriculture is often confused with community farming, the two are very different.

Urban farming involves some level of commerce, meaning the growing products will eventually be sold.

On the other hand, produce grown in community farms is typically meant for personal consumption, with no commercial activity.

Urban agriculture can increase our access to locally grown food, and even reintroduce foods that culture has lost.

If the urban farms here are supported by locals, it will enable them to be more productive and over time, meet the increased demand.

Feature Image: mustbeyou/ Shutterstock.com