AS the world looks beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a renewed focus on innovative solutions to bolster food security and strengthen supply chains, so that economies can rebuild and emerge stronger. The pandemic saw the broken supply chain in the food sector right from the farmers to the consumers.
Temasek, a Singapore-based global investment company recently announced that the inaugural Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW) will take place from 15 to 18 November 2021. Temasek actively seeks sustainable solutions to address present and future challenges. The event aims to catalyse sustainable food production in Asia, will be held in partnership with Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Food Agency, Singapore Tourism Board, and event organisers, Rethink Events and Constellar.
“The pandemic has put a spotlight on the resilience of our food and agriculture supply chains. Technology adoption and innovations are key to transforming the sector, advancing sustainability and resilience across the global food system. Innovative solutions, new technologies and compatible regulatory systems are needed to strengthen food safety, security and resilience – not only in Asia but across the globe. That’s why agri-food is a crucial and rapidly expanding component of Temasek’s investment portfolio”, said Anuj Maheswari, Managing Director, Investment (Agri Food).
This initiative provides a platform for regulators to discuss challenges and solutions to assure the safety of innovative food offerings. The week brings together the world’s leading food producers, agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, investors, research institutions and policymakers. Notable speakers from international organisations, such as BASF, Cargill, Nestle, Tyson Foods, Unilever, The World Health Organisation, and the Tony Blair Institute, will be involved to share insights on scaling agri-food developments across Asia. Speeches and forums during the four-day hybrid event will be live-streamed globally.
Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat will attend the launch event of Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW).
“Global trends, such as climate change and population growth, deeply influence the world’s food security. The adoption, adaptation, and creation of new innovative technologies are the key to addressing these challenges, by sustainably producing more food with fewer resources. Both regulators and the agri-food industry must work together to enable new innovative food to not just feed the world, but feed the world safely. The Singapore International Agri-Food Week brings those at the forefront together to discuss the regulatory approaches towards new innovative food,” said Dr Tan Lee Kim, Director General, Food Administration and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
Urban agriculture is becoming an acceptable, affordable and effective tool for sustainable farming. The urban farming concept is trending since it brings food from the roof to your plate.
“Urban cities globally will require innovative agri-food technologies such as alternative proteins, aquaculture and urban agriculture to ensure and improve food resilience for current and future generations. Singapore’s strategic location in Asia, vibrant R&D ecosystem and trusted business environment position us well as a hub for companies and stakeholders to capture this emerging growth opportunity in the agri-food space. We welcome the setup of Singapore International Agri-Food Week and look forward to the exchange of ideas and facilitation of partnerships that will shape the future of food systems in Asia”, said Damian Chan, Executive Vice President, Economic Development Board (EDB).
“Global partnerships across research institutes, Government, established and start-up private enterprises are key to driving agri-food innovation in Asia. Such partnerships strengthen the global competitiveness of Singapore and Asia-based start-ups in agri-food technology as they look to overseas markets, and conversely, open doors for international startups to anchor in and leverage Singapore as a launchpad to the region”, said Diyls Boey, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Food, Healthcare and Biomedical.
“We’ve seen many exciting partnerships forged at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit over the past four years, and we look forward to continuing to support high-level connections and conversations as part of Singapore International Agri-Food Week,” said Jennie Moss, Founder and Managing Director of Rethink Events.
The three key events that will be held for four days are SIAW Launch Event, Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations and Asia Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit.
