Singapore vegetable farms form trade body

NINE Singapore vegetable farms have formed the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (Safef) to address challenges and improve standards for the industry.

George Huang, the emeritus president of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, will be the inaugural chairman of Safef.

The nine founding members are Sustenir Agriculture (Singapore), Yili Vegetation & Trading, Sky Greens, Farm 85 Trading, Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific, Netatech, Pacific Agro, Bean Farm and Ser Poh Farming & Trading Enterprise.

The immediate priorities of Safef over the next three years will be to set standards and guidelines, raise productivity and lower costs, build capability and develop manpower, and promote local produce.

In a statement, the organisation said that a number of key members wanted an industry group to work with government agencies to implement suggestions and initiatives mooted at the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority's Food Farming Industry Consultation Panel.

Safef will also seek members from related industries such as logistic enterprises, technology providers, research institutions and institutes of higher learning.