Attracting Singaporeans to the Local Food Production Sector: Key Initiatives and Opportunities

Strategic Insights -

To address concerns about foreign labor in the food production sector, the Singaporean government has set a goal to increase local food production by 30% by 2030. To achieve this, the industry needs to transform and adopt new technologies, creating higher-value jobs that require skilled workers. The government has introduced policies and initiatives to support this transformation, including the Agriculture Productivity Fund and the "30 by 30 Express" Grant Call. Additionally, training programs and internships are being offered to equip students and adult job seekers with the necessary skills to work in the agri-food sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of June 2020, slightly more than half of the workers hired in the sector were locals, and most of the foreign workers were semi-skilled workers holding Work Permits.
  • The agri-food sector will generate more higher-value-add jobs and demand for skilled workers, with a shift towards multi-disciplinary skillsets.
  • Since 2014, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has co-funded farmers' investments in productivity-enhancing farming equipment through the $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund.
  • SFA has partnered with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to develop relevant Pre-Employment Training (PET) and Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses, equipping students and adult job seekers with skillsets for careers in the agri-food sector.
  • Over 60 students have benefited from structured internships with local farms over the past 3 years, and SFA plans to continue introducing and expanding initiatives to transform the agri-food sector and upskill the agri-food workforce.
  • The government aims to see more Singaporeans in the local agri-food sector, contributing towards a more food-secure Singapore.

Statistics:

  • As of June 2020, 51.2% of workers in the agri-food sector were local workers (Minister Grace Fu, Written Reply, Sept. 4).
  • The "30 by 30" goal aims to increase local food production by 30% by 2030.
  • $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund has been co-funded by SFA since 2014.
  • Over 60 students have benefited from structured internships with local farms over the past 3 years.
  • SFA plans to continue introducing and expanding initiatives to transform the agri-food sector and upskill the agri-food workforce.

Sources:

  • Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources, Government of Singapore
  • Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (Minister Grace Fu's Written Reply)