Straits Times 18 Oct 12;
SINGAPORE will continue to share its technical know-how in farming with neighbours because it will strengthen regional ties and expand the country's food import sources.
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan listed these payoffs yesterday in his blog.
"While we are not an agricultural nation, we have nevertheless used our expertise and R&D (research and development) knowledge to help our neighbours boost their agriculture produce," he wrote.
"Besides strengthening regional ties, we also get to diversify our food sources to meet our consumption needs."
The blog entry detailed the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's experience in sharing expertise with Laos, in particular setting up a fish hatchery in Vientiane.
This project, the Napho Lao-Singapore Fish Hatchery, began in 2002. Singapore provided technical assistance and funding.
The hatchery, which breeds tilapia fish, has come a long way with an annual production of fish fry of over four million, exceeding the initial target of one million, wrote Mr Khaw.
He noted that the project had boosted the income of Laotian farmers and provided a new source of food for the local population.
The AVA will train the farmers in more advanced topics such as good aquaculture practices, fish health management and proper post-harvest handling "in the coming months", he wrote.
Mr Khaw also revealed that discussions had taken place last week with another neighbour keen to benefit from the Republic's expertise - Myanmar.
"This suits us fine as we are always on the lookout for more opportunities to further increasing food import from Myanmar," he wrote. "This is win-win."
Singapore is heavily reliant on food imports from abroad even as it has rolled out initiatives to boost the output of local farms. Last year, for example, it imported 145,678 tonnes of fish worth $800 million.
IAN POH
