Lettuce can be found growing abundantly in the middle of the central business district (CBD).

It is a crop at an employee-run community urban farm on top of the OCBC Centre car park. The farm is the first of its kind in the CBD, and was unveiled by the bank last Friday (Oct 13).

The farm covers a quarter of the area of the car park roof, and is expected to produce 140 kg of vegetables annually. The initiative aims to support Singapore’s “30 by 30” goal of strengthening food resilience by producing 30 per cent of the nation’s nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030.

Lee Hwee Boon, head of Group Human Resources, OCBC Bank, said: “With increased awareness around food security since the pandemic, a group of staff were inspired to explore how under-utilised spaces on the bank’s premises could be converted into urban farms. While the vegetables produced may not significant, it is still a step towards Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ goal.”

In place of traditional soil-based methods, the farm uses a hydroponic system which consumes significantly less water than conventional farming. In a hydroponic setting, the water solution is reused and recirculated through pipes, returning excess water to the nutrient solution reservoir.

In line with the bank’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions through the deployment of energy-efficient technology, solar energy is harnessed to power the hydroponic system and charge the backup battery for use at night.

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For Chong Siew Ching, relationship officer, OCBC Bank, a gardening enthusiast who volunteers at the farm, the opportunity to pursue a hobby at work – and for a meaningful cause – is something she appreciated. “Caring for plants is therapeutic for me,” she said. “The time spent tending to our farm provides a break from work and a good way to unwind. I am also glad that all the vegetables we grow will go towards helping the less privileged.”

The greens will be donated to Willing Hearts, a charity soup kitchen operated by volunteers, and will go towards approximately 3,000 meals.