Indoor farming deserves support

It is heartening to see that the efforts of local farmers to use advanced technology to increase Singapore's food production capabilities have paid off ("High-tech farmers cropping up"; Monday).

Boosting productivity is not the only advantage of these high-yield methods. Since we constantly face the challenge of not having enough land, indoor farms allow more space to be freed up for other purposes.

Indoor farming is also environmentally friendly and saves water. The plants require less fertiliser and pesticide, leading to less harmful sewage dumped into rivers and, thus, cleaner water.

Cheaper imports may be available, but farming locally can help reduce the harmful gases emitted when imports are flown to Singapore, thereby lowering our carbon footprint.

Hence, we should play a part to create a more sustainable Singapore by welcoming and supporting products from high-tech vegetable farms.

Dione Goh Ru Ying, 15, Secondary 4 student