Singapore: NParks giving out 3,000 seed packets to grow edibles
Pumpkin, cherry tomato among varieties to be included in new round of distribution
By Charmaine Ng
Straits Times
Mar 21, 2021
Excerpt:
Since NParks launched the Gardening with Edibles programme, last year, to complement Singapore’s goal to produce 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs locally by 2030, the agency has given out about 460,000 seed packets of edible plants.
NParks also developed free online resources and workshops for members of the public to pick up gardening skills, through tutorial videos and masterclasses.
Yesterday, some 1,000 gardeners attended a masterclass on rooted vegetables led by Mr Ang Wee Foong, NParks centre director of the seed bank and deputy director of nursery management.
Those who missed the masterclass can watch a video of it on the NParksSG YouTube channel, or the agency’s NParksBuzz Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Ms Indranee said NParks is also planning to work with social enterprises in the community urban farming sector in the future.
The aim is to create more spaces for recreational gardening, engage the community through gardening-related activities, and provide micro-employment and volunteering opportunities to residents, she said.
She added that the idea is to enable social enterprises to manage community garden spaces in the heartland and organise programmes for seniors, people with disabilities and the special needs community.
