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Singapore, known for its forward-thinking policies and innovations, has embarked on a determined journey toward sustainability with its Green Plan 2030. One of the key goals of this comprehensive plan is to produce 30% of the nation’s food locally within the decade, and artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a pivotal role in achieving this target by enhancing the productivity of fish farms.
Singapore’s fish farms, essential for meeting the growing demand for seafood, require a consistent supply of larvae feed, primarily composed of a plankton variety called rotifers. Fish larvae are highly dependent on this feed and must be nourished every few hours. Traditionally, staff at the Singapore Food Agency devoted approximately 40 minutes daily to inspecting rotifer samples for contaminants and assessing their health.
To revolutionise this labour-intensive process and boost productivity, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) established the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAID) team. This team developed and trained an object detection AI model designed to distinguish healthy rotifers from those in poor condition.
Once the AI model achieved sufficient accuracy, a mobile app was created. Now, all it takes is a smartphone to capture images of rotifers, which are then uploaded to the app for evaluation. This transformation has turned a 40-minute task into a mere one-minute breeze, ensuring a reliable supply of larvae feeds.
Another remarkable example of Singapore’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is the nation’s first and only commercial rooftop farm. This innovative enterprise produces approximately 65,000 packets of vegetables each month. Its success lies in its smart use of technology and sustainable practices.
The farm utilises greenhouses that harness natural sunlight and supplementary LED lighting, adjusting the artificial lighting based on real-time weather conditions to maintain consistent yields. Hydroponics is employed to promote water recycling and precise nutrient delivery, eliminating the need for herbicides and pesticides.
While sustainability efforts often focus on reducing single-use plastics, a Singaporean company, offers an innovative alternative to produce single-use tableware that mimics the convenience of plastic but is crafted from plant-based sources. The groundbreaking solution earned recognition in the form of the Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2022 award, organised by Enterprise Singapore.
Singapore’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond agriculture. The country has launched a massive solar panel project consisting of 10 islands of solar panels, equivalent in size to 45 football fields. These panels, numbering 122,000, can generate enough electricity to power 16,000 HDB four-room flats for a year.
Singapore, a nation with limited land resources, also plans to establish two additional floating solar farms at Lower Selatar and Pandan reservoirs. These solar initiatives not only reduce the country’s carbon footprint but also contribute to its energy sustainability.
Optimising resource allocation is crucial for a water-scarce nation like Singapore. In addition to managing its water resources, Singapore must tackle the challenges posed by climate change. A collaborative effort between PUB engineers and GovTech data scientists resulted in the development of a data science model capable of handling these complexities.
The model considers operational factors such as treatment plant capacity, storage tank sizes, and water pipe dimensions, along with weather forecasts. It then provides recommendations and automates much of the planning process, significantly enhancing efficiency. Planning time, once taking up to two hours, has been reduced to as little as fifteen minutes.
Singapore’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the application of AI and data science in addressing environmental challenges sets a noteworthy example for the world. While no single city or nation can single-handedly mitigate global warming, Singapore’s efforts serve as a compelling proof of concept.
