Summary/Reader Response Draft 2

In the article “Sky Urban Vertical Farming System” (The Index Project, n.d.), the Index Project conveys that the company Sky Greens uses the world’s first hydraulic-driven vertical system. With a height of nine metres, rainwater and gravity are utilised for the pulley system whereby a water pump pumps water to an overhead water tank, rotating 38 trays of plants to receive ample sunlight whilst watering them (The Index Project, n.d). Sky Greens emerged victorious for the INDEX award in 2015, an international prestigious award given to remarkable designs that improve lives. The Index Project reports “Although the concept of vertical farming has been around for over a century, very few have been able to master the technique like Singaporean company Sky Greens” (The Index Project, n.d., para. 2). Sky Greens eliminates the use of LED lights resulting in lower usage of electricity. Therefore, having “the lowest possible negative effect on the environment” (Zaręba et al., 2021, para. 8.2). Such farms will aid in Singapore’s plan of ‘30 by 30’, envisioning to “produce 30% of our nutritional needs locally by the year 2030” (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, 2023, Grow Local section, para. 6). With the innovation of Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System, being efficient whist retaining high crops yield, it will significantly contribute to Singapore’s ’30 by 30’ goal.

 

Singapore is coined as a little red dot as it is an extremely small country, located in South-East Asia, with a size of “710 square kilometres” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, n.d., About Singapore, para. 1). Due to its dense population, Singapore is an urbanised country with eminent space constraints. Henceforth, to achieve the goal of ’30 by 30’, there is a need to construct farms that are capable of accomplishing more with less space. Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System, which is able to fit 38 shelves in nine metres (The Index Project, n.d), has a yield that is “five to ten times more vegetables” (Zaręba et al., 2021, para. 8.2) per acreage than a traditional farming plot. This allows exceedingly more crop yield for a considerably smaller space. Alongside the assembly of other indoor farms and rooftop gardens in House & Development Board estates, shopping malls and office buildings, these initiatives will produce an immensely high crop yield, assisting in Singapore’s goal of ’30 by 30’.

 

              With Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System minimising the use of electricity and water, it reduces its carbon footprint. Sky Green’s technology eliminates the use of LED lights and replaces it with a smart hydraulic pulley system, allowing crops to receive ample sunlight. According to Dr Ngiam Tong Tau, Chairman of Sky Urban Solutions Holding, Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System uses 12 litres of water and 5 cents of electricity to product a kilogram of crops (Ngiam, 2017). Whereas other vertical farms which uses 20.4 litres of water and 38.8 kWh of electricity which amounts to 70 cents in Singapore to produce a kilogram of crops (Horomia et al., 2021). Hence, in comparison to other vertical farms, it is evident that Sky Greens’ Hydraulic system is more environmentally friendly.

 

              However, since Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System is not designed with a controlled environment, without air-conditioning and LED lights, a concern is that not all vegetables available in supermarkets could be planted in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. Currently, Sky Greens grows vegetables such as Nai Bai, Cai Xin, Xiao Bai Cai and Chinese Cabbage (Sky Greens, n.d.), which can withstand the heat and humidity in Singapore. However, vegetables such as Broccoli and Kale that thrive in cooler temperatures will be a challenge to grow (Baessler, 2021). With companies such as Agency for Science, Technology and Research venturing into hybrid lighting technologies, keeping ample lights for different crops, this could be a game-changer for the future of farming in Singapore (Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 2021). Thus, Sky Greens, with their prowess in engineering, should be able to further their research and development capabilities to overcome the weather limitations. With such technologies in place, Sky Greens will be capable of catering a wider variety of vegetables commonly appreciated by Singaporeans.

 

In conclusion, with Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System being one of the fore-founder of vertical farming in Singapore (Zaręba et al., 2021), it is unequalled with its yield of crops per acre whilst being energy and water efficient. However, more can be done as it limits its own potential through the lack of a controlled environment.  Sky Greens’ Hydraulic System can look into improving it system capabilities and also work with other companies who share similar vision so that collectively, they can continue innovating and increasing their effectiveness to move closer towards Singapore’s goal of achieving ’30 by 30’.

 

 

References

Zaręba, A., Krzemińska, A., & Kozik, R. (2021). Urban Vertical Farming as an Example of Nature-Based Solutions Supporting a Healthy Society Living in the Urban Environment; 10(11), 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10110109

 

Horomia, K., Abraham, D., Stephens, R., Zagami, B., Ceaser, D., Lee, G., & Chung, J. (2021). 2021 Global CEA Census Report. WayBeyond.

https://engage.farmroad.io/hubfs/2021%20Global%20CEA%20Census%20Report.pdf

 

Ngiam, T.T. (2017). World Agriculture Forum Conference 6-7 July 2017 Singapore: Vertical Vegetable Farming The Singapore Experience. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. https://www.rsis.edu.sg/WAF2017/pdf/Panel%203-1%20-%20Ngiam%20Tong%20Tau.pdf 

 

Baessler, L. (2021, April 04). Plants That Grow In Cold Weather: Spring Planting Cold Season Crops. Gardening Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/spring-planting-crops.htm

 

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. (2023, March 02). Speech by Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon – Food and Climate Resilience. https://www.mse.gov.sg/resource-room/category/2023-03-02-speech-by-sms-koh-poh-koon-at-cos-2023

Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). About Singapore. https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Xiamen/About-Singapore

 

The Index Project. (n.d.). Sky Urban Vertical Farming System: Vertical farms to boost veggie output with minimum space. https://theindexproject.org/award/winnersandfinalists/the-sky-urban-vertical-farming-system

Sky Greens. (n.d.). Sky Greens Vegetables: Sky Greens tropical leafy vegetables – grown locally, freshly harvested daily. https://www.skygreens.com/skygreens-vegetables/

Agency for Science, Technology and Research. (2021, March 15). Sustainable Urban Farming – Lighting Up Our Local Farms. https://www.a-star.edu.sg/News/astarNews/news/features/sustainable-urban-farming---lighting-up-our-local-farms