23-5-2023 (Singapore) Singapore’s agricultural sector is facing significant challenges as recent spikes in temperatures have led to crop damage and reduced livestock yields. Climate change is believed to be the underlying cause of these erratic weather patterns, raising concerns about food security and potential price inflation, according to experts interviewed by CNA.
The city-state has been experiencing an extended period of warm weather, with Ang Mo Kio recording a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius on May 13, matching a 40-year record for the highest daily maximum temperature. Several other locations across Singapore have also seen temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has previously explained that the months of April and May, which fall within the inter-monsoon period, tend to be warmer due to intense solar heating and light wind conditions.
Goat farm Hay Dairies, for example, has seen a 15 percent drop in milk yield. To cope with this decline, the farm has implemented measures to keep its goats cool and comfortable.
Hay Dairies owner, Leon Hay, explained that they have taken steps to ensure the well-being of their goats during the heatwave. One such measure is adding additional minerals to the goats’ water supply. These minerals help regulate body temperature and contribute to keeping the animals mentally calm, preventing the heat from affecting them adversely.
In addition, the farm has extended the operation time of its ventilation fans to provide a more conducive environment for the goats. However, these efforts to combat the heat have resulted in increased utility bills, with expenses rising by approximately S$600.
Dr. Vinod Thomas, a distinguished fellow at the Asian Institute of Management, has expressed concerns that the ongoing heatwave in Singapore will impede the city-state’s ambitious “30 by 30” goal. This initiative aims to produce up to 30 percent of Singapore’s nutritional needs locally by the year 2030. However, the accelerated pace of climate change has put this target in jeopardy, according to Dr. Thomas.
“The goal, without a doubt, is being significantly hindered by the increasingly rapid impact of climate change, surpassing even the expectations of scientists from a few years ago,” he remarked. The adverse effects of climate change are not limited to Singapore but are being felt by farmers across the globe. Several Southeast Asian countries, for instance, have already experienced elevated food prices due to reduced agricultural yields
