The Singapore government is providing hefty incentives to people who would like to engage in food production. These include people who grow fish in cages in the marine waters and urban dwellers who grow vegetables where they live in the city state.

One of the growers of high-value marine fishes in cages is Prof. Paul PS Teng, Senior Fellow (Food Security) at the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.He and a couple of partners are culturing grouper (lapu-lapu), pompano, seabass and snapper – all very high-value species. These are grown into one to two-kilo sizes and made into fillet.

The partners grow their fish in 90 cages, manned by just one Burmese caretaker. Very recently, they acquired 20 new cages worth S$50,000. Half of the amount was paid for by the government as its incentive to food producers.

Dr. Teng said that there are about a hundred investors raising fish about three kilometers from the Singapore coast. They all receive financial incentives from the government.

Dr. Teng’s caretaker receives S$1,000 a month which he can all save because he has free food and accommodation. He has his own quarters at sea where he can cook his favorite food. He grows some of his vegetables in containers. He also has his own radio and TV. Good thing, there is no typhoon in Singapore.

Dr. Teng said that sometimes they have a hard time looking for supplies of fingerlings. Which means this could be a market for fingerlings from the Philippines like those produced by Finfish Harcheries of the Alcantara Group.

Dr. Teng also said that many of the fish cage owners are looking for knowledgeable workers who could be assured a pay of at least a thousand Singapore dollars a month. That’s about P32,000 monthly.

Dr. Teng notes that cities like Singapore are increasingly becoming food producers. A lot of vegetables are now produced in vacant lots, rooftop gardens, and other parts of residential homes and buildings wherever there is suitable space.

By the way, we met Dr. Teng at the Syngenta Media Workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 29 -31, 2012. He talked on the Rice Bowl Index developed by Syngenta, Frontier Strategy Group and himself.The Rice Bowl Index is a tool that could help countries adopt right strategies that could help them achieve food security.

************

ALCALA WRITES — Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala has sent us this note: “Let me extend my heartfelt gratitude for featuring in your column the good performance of the Department of Agriculture entitled ‘Alcala Hopeful On Enough Food.’

 “The article reflects the good news that the country is at arm’s length in its goal of attaining self-sufficiency, not only in rice but other important staple and vegetables as well.

“Your article inspires us more to strive harder to attain food sufficiency for the country and in helping our small farmers and fishers improve both their production and income as this has always been DA’s fervent goal and to provide the consumers safe, quality and affordable food.

Rest assured that the DA, under my watch will prioritize the attainment of food for the country and improved income for our  farmers.”

************

SHAME ON YOU! – There is this person (male or female, we don’t know) who has been stealing our stories in the Manila Bulletin and posting them in his/her online publication without any attribution, and then having the gall to claim copyright. Isn’t this some kind of a cybercrime? Stealing someone’s stories and copyrighting them? Shame on you, whoever you are.

************

LANDSCAPING SEMINAR – Serapion S. Metilla, the plant arts guru, will conduct a 3-day seminar-workshop on landscaping on Nov. 23 to 25 at the Seminar Hall, Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

He will discuss about materials for hardscape and softscape; design faults and hazards, appropriate plants and accessories, plant propagation techniques, different styles, indoor gardening and healthy living.For more details, email at mettsikebana@yahoo.com.

************

NEW VENUE OF AGRI-KAPIHAN — Tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 11, the Agri-Kapihan will be held from 8:30 to 12 noon at the AANI Urban Farm (an organic farm) at Kingsville Court along Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City.

Resource persons will talk on organic farming, including vermiculture and gardening in containers.

Kingsville Court is along Sumulong highway, about one kilometer from the Marcos Highway-Sumulong junction. The entrance is in front of a Shell gas station. Ask the guard for direction.

************

FOOD SECURITY TALK – Martin Taylor, chairman of the board of directors of Syngenta AG, will talk on “Increasing Food Security in an Environmentally Sustainable Way” on Monday, November 12 at 12 noon at the Tower Club, Philam Life Bldg., Makati City.

His talk is under the auspices of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham).