By Kenneth Marcos 
Rows of urban spaces in Manila could soon host high-tech gardens, as the city looks to Singapore for guidance in producing fresh food in dense city settings.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso announced on February 11 that the city government is working with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to adopt Singapore’s urban farming technologies. The initiative aims to strengthen local food sufficiency and make the most of limited urban spaces for agriculture.
“I chose Singapore because it is small, highly urbanized, and fully developed. If they can produce their own food, we can do it too,” Domagoso said during BPI’s 96th anniversary celebration.
Earlier this year, technical visits were conducted to Singaporean institutions to study smart agriculture systems. The delegation, including Domagoso and BPI officials, visited the Horticulture Technology Hub at ITE College East, Republic Polytechnic, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) to observe indoor farming, automation, data-driven cultivation, and resource-efficient growing systems. These studies are intended to guide Manila in designing urban farming strategies suitable for its dense population and limited land area.
Domagoso explained that the city is moving toward a collaborative approach, integrating national agencies, local government units, and private partners to pilot urban food production projects. “Your city government is putting together national bureaus, the local government, and the private sector to build something for food production,” he said. The plan aims to create a framework that future city leaders can build on.
The mayor emphasized the strategic importance of urban food production, noting that population growth and shrinking agricultural land increase the risk of food insecurity. “Food insecurity is a threat to national security. Population continues to grow, space continues to shrink, and the land that future generations can use to produce food is getting smaller,” he warned.
BPI, along with scientists and specialists from the Department of Agriculture, will provide technical guidance to ensure practical, science-based solutions for urban agriculture. Domagoso highlighted that optimizing limited space is crucial to sustaining the city’s food supply in the long term.
The initiative also complements Manila’s role as a distribution hub for agricultural products. Domagoso recalled how the city maintained food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing farmers and traders from Luzon to sell produce in Manila despite lockdown restrictions.
Looking ahead, the mayor stressed the importance of continuity: “This is just the beginning of the long journey of your city government and BPI together. So that those who come after us will already have a guide on how to ensure food security within the City of Manila.”
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