Singapore to set aside land for high-tech farming

It will be tendered out with longer 20-year leases.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said in a blog post that the government will tender out new plots of farmland with longer leases of 20 years instead of 10.

The lands will be in support for productive and high-tech farming. The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore will be releasing more details on the new tenders soon.

"This follows from feedback we’ve received from farmers that they needed a longer period to recover the investments for new technologies. Furthermore, in assessing the proposals for these new farm plots, we will place greater emphasis on quality and productivity considerations," Wong noted.

He added, "A modern agriculture sector will continue to play a key role in Singapore’s future, even as our economy evolves and our society becomes more urbanised."