Good food

EARLIER this week, the temporary closure of Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, after a Covid-19 cluster was detected, raised the spectre of a potential disruption to the supply of fruits and vegetables. This was not the first time the prospect of empty shelves loomed. In July, Jurong Fishery Port's shutdown sparked queues at fishmongers at wet markets after supply was cut off by a Covid outbreak at the port. And in the early days of the pandemic last year, fears of disruptions to Singapore's food imports sent consumers rushing to supermarkets to stock up on essentials.

Beyond the pandemic, there is no denying that climate change has wrought tremendous impact on agriculture and many aspects of the world's food production - and consumption - are no longer sustainable.

On the demand side, there is also a growing global population. The World Resources Institute has estimated that by 2050 there will be a need for 56 per cent more calories produced than in 2010 to feed nearly 10 billion people.