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New Paper
5 hours ago
- Business
- New Paper
Young and rooted: Meet S'pore's first-gen farmers who are changing the agri game
Mr Leonard Teo developed a love for greens as a boy, but often found locally bought vegetables harsh on his palate. "They had a bitter taste, and my mother ended up buying expensive organic vegetables for me," said the owner of Straits Agriculture, a five-year-old aeroponics and hydroponics farm in Jurong that produces xiao bai cai, nai bai, curly kale and mizuna, among others. "I thought, why not try to grow fresh and sweet-tasting vegetables so that I can eat them and Singaporeans can also purchase them at an affordable price?" The Nanyang Technological University graduate's dream took off in 2020, when he rented a 35 sq m plot of land for about $20,000 in Henderson to start his venture. After stabilising his operations, he later invested in a rooftop farm in Jurong that cost him $250,000 to set up in January 2022. While the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) does not track the number of first-time farmers in the country, Mr Teo, 25, is one of the three young farmers who ventured into the agricultural sector during Covid-19. Mr Teo, who entered university the same year, struggled to balance school and work. "There was no juggling. I woke up at 8am, went to class till 6pm and headed to my farm to work till about 3am. It was either do or die," said Mr Teo, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in aerospace engineering. Mr Leonard Teo, 25, runs an aeroponics and hydroponics farm in Jurong. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Mr Teo's mother, Ms Eileen Tan, who helps deliver the vegetables to his customers, said she feels bad that he has to work so hard, but is glad that this venture has built his character. "I'm pretty proud of what he has accomplished so far," she said. A desire to contribute Two other first-time farmers also ventured into the trade after witnessing the impact of Covid-19 on food security in Singapore, which imports more than 90 per cent of its food. While the country's key strategy is to diversify its sources, then Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said in a written parliamentary reply in April 2020 that the pandemic had "severely diminished global production capacities and disrupted global supply chains". This prompted Mr John Ong, founder of Spore Gardens, a farm that produces mushrooms in a 130 sq m office space in Whampoa, to make the switch from aerospace engineering to farming. "Many people were panic buying during the pandemic, and while doing my own shopping, I noticed that there was a shortage of fresh produce at the supermarkets, and later realised that Singapore may have a supply chain issue in this area," he said. Mr Ong grows a variety of mushrooms in his farm, including the Lion's Mane, Royal Trumpet, Golden Oak Shitake, Sakura Pink Oyster, Golden Yellow Oyster and Yanagi Matsutake. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG After some research, the 40-year-old, who described himself as an "accidental" farmer, opted to focus on producing mushrooms, which he felt was overlooked. He started to grow Lion's Mane mushrooms at home before investing $100,000 to kick-start the business officially. Five years on, the father of two young children, aged three and six, said he was grateful that his wife, a dermatologist, supported him making the switch then. Mr Ong, who grows six or seven types of mushrooms at his farm, supplies about 1,000kg of mushrooms to restaurants and caterers each month. He is in the midst of moving to a new 380 sq m farm in Changi, which is about three times larger than his original space. The entrepreneur, who now runs the farm with his partner, Mr Fred Soh, said sales have been doing well and the company broke even early in 2025. Mr John Ong met his business partner, Mr Fred Soh, about eight months after he founded Spore Gardens. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Another farmer whose business appears to have taken off is Mr Webster Tham, 34, from Tomato Town, a business that grows tomatoes, kale and basil. Mr Tham, who runs the farms with two other partners, said the trio started by managing a 75 sq m plot. This has grown to a 6,000 sq m plot in the last five years. Their produce can be found in 70 FairPrice outlets, where they are priced between $4 and $4.50 per packet. One of Mr Tham's farms is located at a rooftop carpark in Jurong West. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY A spokesperson for FairPrice said it has observed a significant increase in demand for Tomato Town's products across its stores over the last six months, compared with the same period in 2024. Mr Tham hopes his experience can encourage young people not to shy away from the industry. "Farming is still hard work, but technology is there to reduce some of the laborious tasks traditional farmers have to take on. We hope young people give it a chance," he said. Fresh perspectives Despite the efforts of new entrants, local production remains at less than 10 per cent of the country's total food consumption. While these farms remain small in scale, their true contribution lies in the innovations they bring to the agri-food sector, said research scientist Teo Shaun Hao. "By developing and testing new farming methods, technologies, and crop varieties suited for urban environments, they help push the boundaries of what is possible in land-scarce Singapore," said Mr Teo, who works at the Agriculture Research and Innovation Centre at Republic Polytechnic. Young farmers' savviness in leveraging social media platforms also helps them to connect directly with consumers, allowing them to build trust and promote their products more effectively, he added. However, Professor Veera Sekaran from the National University of Singapore's Department of Biological Sciences remained cautious about the value of those skills. "No amount of social media is going to help the farmers if they do not understand the industry and the reality of the business of growing crops and bringing them to the marketplace to make profits," said the director of Regenerative Agritech Centre. Challenges remain Since 2019, Singapore has aspired to produce 30 per cent of its nutritional needs locally by 2030, but it was revealed in Parliament in March that the target is being reviewed. In 2024, 3 per cent of vegetables consumed were grown locally, down from 3.2 per cent in 2023, according to the Singapore Food Statistics report. In the same year, there were 153 farms on land - most of which grew vegetables - down from 156 the year before. In an interview with The Straits Times in May, SFA chief executive Damian Chan said the drop in local production of vegetables is due to factors like higher operating costs, especially energy costs, a weaker investment climate in high-tech farming and farms facing challenges in securing sales. He added that local produce typically costs more than imported ones, and shoppers tend to opt for more affordable leafy greens and fish, affecting demand. Besides the challenges highlighted by SFA, the farmers hope the authorities can also look into reducing the administrative barriers that impede others' entry into the industry. Mr Teo from Straits Agriculture proposed a one-stop service portal to be set up for farmers to submit their applications for various licences, a sentiment echoed by Mr Ong. "This will allow us to focus on the operations of the farm," he said. Mr Teo proposed a one-stop service portal to be set up for farmers to submit their applications for various licences. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG While SFA did not say if it is considering setting up a one-stop service portal, it has put in place other measures, including customising solutions via its Technical Advisory Programme and developing industry guides to help farmers understand how to set up land-based and sea-based farms. Farmers can also tap the GoBusiness portal to apply for grants and additional licences to sell or process their produce, such as by turning them into salads or fish fillets, added SFA. What keeps them going Despite the challenges, the farmers said they are buoyed by the support they receive from their families and customers. "When chefs tell me that the items we provide are some of the best mushrooms they've used, that really puts a smile on my face," said Mr Ong. Sakura Pink Oyster mushrooms, which have a subtly woody taste with a hint of seafood and a peppery finish, are one type of mushrooms Mr Ong supplies to restaurants. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Mr Teo, who is funded by a European investor and earns a mid four-figure sum for the farm each month, shared similar views. One of his long-time customers, who has been buying his vegetables since her family discovered his farm in 2022, even sent her teenage daughter to his farm to experience what it is like to run a farm, a gesture that he appreciated. For Mr Tham, it was his father Ray Tham's gesture of love that kept him thriving. "He touched me by deciding to take up a diploma in agriculture at RP to help me out at the farm," he said. Mr Tham's father, Mr Ray Tham, helps his son maintain his farms. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY The older Mr Tham, who initially doubted his son's venture, later decided to support him by assisting with maintenance work at the farms. An engineer by training, the 67-year-old manager of the farms is happy to see his son's business take off. "It is not very successful yet, but I'm proud to see some success," he said. Next steps Having solved his initial hurdles, Mr Tham hopes to increase his production by maximising the growth of his plants. "We're looking into ways to develop a suitable temperature that will 'trick' our plants into thinking that they are in a cooler climate in order to boost growth," he said, adding that his farms currently produce 3 tonnes of leafy greens monthly. Mr Tham grows kale, basil and tomatoes at his farms. The Straits Times Similarly, Mr Ong looks to expand the variety of mushrooms in his new farm and eventually supply them to wet markets and supermarkets. Mr Ong (left) and Ms Audrey Chong, head of marketing of Spore Gardens, travel to different farmers' markets around Singapore to sell their produce. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG For Mr Teo, he is considering moving his farm out of Singapore to places that are more cost- and infrastructure-friendly to continue with his business once his lease is up in 2028. "But before that, I hope to be able to work with the authorities to reduce the amount of admin work that our farmers need to do and focus on increasing our yield to be effective in contributing to our country's food security situation."
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Increased number of jellyfish stings reported on east coast
People visiting beaches on the east coast of Scotland are being warned to look out for jellyfish along the shore after an increase in reported stings. RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeguards say that with sea temperatures rising and more people heading to beaches, they are also seeing an increase in reports of jellyfish. Jellyfish are common throughout the summer months in Scotland, with large groups – or blooms – regularly spotted in the water and washed up along the coast. Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting. But red-coloured Lion's Mane – the largest jellyfish in Scottish waters, reaching up to two metres across with long trailing tentacles – and Compass jellyfish can cause painful stings. The RNLI warned that a sting from a Lion's Mane jellyfish can cause pain and redness, swelling or a stinging sensation and in some cases nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms. They said bathers who suffer a sting should let a lifeguard know straight away so they can provide first aid if needed. RNLI lifeguards are currently on duty on the east coast at Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders and in Fife at Burntisland, Leven, St Andrews East and West Sands, Elie, and Silver Sands in Aberdour. Bradley Schreiber, an RNLI lifeguard based across the area, said: 'We've seen an increase in jellyfish recently across all our beaches, especially when there are onshore winds – when the wind is coming from out at sea and blowing on to the beach. 'Over the past two or three weeks we are definitely seeing an increase in reports of stings, although thankfully we've not seen anything too serious. 'With the smaller Moon jellyfish a sting can be quite similar to a nettle, but Lion's Mane jellyfish can get very big and their sting can hurt quite badly. A big Lion's Mane jellyfish, depending on where the sting is, can be quite severe. 'There was a previous situation where one of them slipped into someone's wetsuit, which was too big, and they were stung all over their body.' RNLI said that bathers who suspect they have been stung should avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, they should use a card such as a bank card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water helps to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom. People who start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, should speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction. Mr Shreiber said: 'If you can feel pain and you believe you've been stung by a jellyfish, let a lifeguard know so we can keep an eye on you in case something more serious happens like an anaphylactic attack, which is an allergic reaction and can come on rapidly. 'It's very rare but it can happen and it's good for us to know so we can keep an eye on you.' Mr Shreiber warned that urinating on the sting area was a myth and 'not recommended'. The tactic, which has been proven ineffective and even possibly harmful, was popularised in an episode of the sitcom Friends, 'The One With The Jellyfish', in which Monica is stung on the foot and Chandler reluctantly tries the remedy Joey recalled seeing in a documentary. Mr Shreiber said: 'We don't recommend that, it's not the advice we give out. 'It's certainly not what we are trained to do. Seawater works just fine and I'm sure it's a lot more hygienic.' Like this: Like Related
STV News
5 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Warning issued as warmer weather brings increase in jellyfish stings
A warning has been issued as warmer weather continues across Scotland, increasing the number of people being stung by jellyfish. The RNLI issued the warning, saying the rise in sea temperatures has increased the number of beachgoers and the risk of people getting stung. Jellyfish are fairly common throughout the summer months in Scotland, and it's not unusual to spot them in blooms, either in the water or washed up along the coast. RNLI Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting whereas others, such as the large reddish Lion's Mane jellyfish or Compass jellyfish, can cause painful stings. Stings can be painful and may cause redness, swelling or a stinging sensation. If this happens, let a lifeguard know straight away so they can keep an eye on you and provide first aid if needed. Avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, use a card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water will help to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom. If you start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jellyfish are lurking off the Delaware beaches. How to stay safe, what to do if stung
Everyone loves going to the Delaware beaches and having fun in the Atlantic Ocean, but you also have to respect everything that makes its home in the water. While sharks seem to get all the attention, there's a more common concern, and if you run into them, you'll wish you hadn't. We're talking about jellyfish. Here's what to know about them before you enter the water. Summer fun in the First State: Welcome to our 2025 Delaware Summer Guide Delaware is home to four different jellyfish, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The jellyfish are: Lion's Mane: The largest known jellyfish species in the world. The jellyfish's bright, trailing tentacles look like a lion's mane and are easy to spot because of their orange color. They can be as large as 6 to 12 inches across at the bell, or the rounded part at the top. The stinging cells are not known to be fatal to people. But the sting site will be very red and painful. Atlantic Sea Nettle: This species is somewhat clear, with small white dots and reddish-brown stripes. Their sting is strong to severe, but not deadly to humans. Moon Jellyfish: The moon jellyfish looks like an underwater flying saucer and lights up at night. They don't have strong enough stinging power to penetrate our skin, but if you happen to get brushed by one, you will feel a minor stinging sensation. Sea Walnut: They're not true jellyfish, but Ctenophores, or comb jellies. If you do see one, don't fret. They're harmless to people. While not fatal, some jellyfish stings are incredibly painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, after getting stung, you should do the following: Carefully pluck visible tentacles with fine tweezers. Soak the skin in hot water (110 to 113 degrees). It should feel hot, but not scalding. Keep impacted skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20 to 45 minutes or until the pain eases. Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice daily to the affected skin. If you are stung in the eye, you'll require medical care to control the pain and flush the eye. If, by chance, you are stung by box jellyfish, which are found in tropical areas like the Indian and Pacific Oceans and not in Delaware, you will need medical attention and antivenom medication. You may have seen the "Friends" episode where Monica was stung by a jellyfish. Don't do what Chandler and Joey did to fix the issue. Here's what to avoid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rinsing with human urine Scraping out stingers Rinsing with cold, fresh water Applying meat tenderizer Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia Rubbing with a towel Applying pressure bandages This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Which jellyfish are around Delaware? What to do if you get stung
Evening Standard
07-07-2025
- Health
- Evening Standard
Best mushroom supplements for energy without the caffeine crash
Moodeys' Upgrade Me isn't just another mushroom supplement; it's a full-spectrum cognitive and energy support formula, designed to level you up mentally and physically. Packed with Cordyceps for energy, Lion's Mane for focus and adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Ginseng, it's a true all-rounder. The capsules are vegan and free from fillers, and users often say they notice a difference in just a few days: better clarity, fewer crashes and more get-up-and-go. It's especially popular with busy professionals and creatives juggling a lot at once. If you're looking for a nootropic-style supplement with clean ingredients, this one nails it.
