Farming hits the roof

Rooftop farming plots are being created atop hotels, malls and Housing Board carparks

Local agri-tech firm Citiponics' vertical farming plot takes up about 1,800 sq m at the multi-storey carpark rooftop at Block 700 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.
Local agri-tech firm Citiponics' vertical farming plot takes up about 1,800 sq m at the multi-storey carpark rooftop at Block 700 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6. ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH
Citiponics is able to grow up to 25 different varieties of leafy greens, but most of the production is focused on its highly popular crossbreed pesticide-free vegetable species, "Georgina lettuces".
Citiponics is able to grow up to 25 different varieties of leafy greens, but most of the production is focused on its highly popular crossbreed pesticide-free vegetable species, "Georgina lettuces". ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH
Social enterprise Edible Garden City’s farming plots include one at Funan Mall (above), which grows produce such as dragonfruit. It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data’s plot at the Aperia Office Tower.
Social enterprise Edible Garden City’s farming plots include one at Funan Mall (above), which grows produce such as dragonfruit. It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data’s plot at the Aperia Office Tower. ST PHOTOS: JOEL CHAN, ONG WEE JIN
Social enterprise Edible Garden City’s farming plots include one at Funan Mall, which grows produce such as dragonfruit (above). It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data’s plot at the Aperia Office Tower.
Social enterprise Edible Garden City’s farming plots include one at Funan Mall, which grows produce such as dragonfruit (above). It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data’s plot at the Aperia Office Tower. ST PHOTOS: JOEL CHAN, ONG WEE JIN
Social enterprise Edible Garden City's farming plots include one at Funan Mall, which grows produce such as dragonfruit. It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data's plot (above) at the Aperia Office Tower.
Social enterprise Edible Garden City's farming plots include one at Funan Mall, which grows produce such as dragonfruit. It also manages edible gardens for its clients, such as IT company Dimension Data's plot (above) at the Aperia Office Tower. ST PHOTOS: JOEL CHAN, ONG WEE JIN
Located on Level 7 of One Farrer Hotel, the more than 1,000 sq m outdoor soil-based farm (above) is a space for growing, among others, herbs and fruit trees.
Located on Level 7 of One Farrer Hotel, the more than 1,000 sq m outdoor soil-based farm (above) is a space for growing, among others, herbs and fruit trees. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Chantal Sajan
Senior Correspondent
Updated
Mar 28, 2020, 05:00 AM
Published
Mar 28, 2020, 05:00 AM
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The chocolate mint that thrives in a sun-baked plot at One Farrer Hotel tastes every bit like spearmint at first crunch, but slowly releases a hint of chocolate on the palate as you keep chewing.

The unusual aromatic herb, along with others of its ilk such as sweet basil, laksa, lemongrass and curry leaves, can be found in a more than 1,000 sq m outdoor soil-based farm on Level 7 of the hotel. Here, you can also find papaya, durian and banana trees.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 28, 2020, with the headline Farming hits the roof. Subscribe

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