Disrupting Singapore’s fresh produce market

Alumnus Dr BAO Shengjie (Biological Sciences, 2017) found that the strawberries sold in local supermarkets tasted very different from those in his hometown in Zhejiang, China. This is due to Singapore’s tropical climate. 

This sparked his interest to devote his knowledge in plant physiology and molecular biology into the urban farming industry. He co-founded Singrow Pte Ltd together with fellow scientist Dr XU Tao, who recently completed his PhD at the Faculty of Science, to bring fresh quality produce to consumers.   

Dr Bao said, “We break through barriers by cultivating seasonal crops all year round, all while utilising less energy and resources than conventional farms.”

Singrow integrates cutting-edge plant science and innovative indoor farming technologies, with cultivation techniques that are 100% organic and pesticide-free. It was established in 2019 and currently operates an indoor vertical farm in the downtown area of Singapore.

Prof Thorsten WOHLAND, the Faculty’s Vice Dean (Research), visited the indoor farm at the new Sprout Hub to get insights into its innovative cultivation methods.

Follow us as we go on a photo tour of this indoor farm.