DBS is transforming an outdoor area at its Asia Hub building into a community farm, allowing employees to cultivate edible plants and herbs. This initiative aligns with the rising interest in community farming, particularly in the context of enhancing Singapore’s food security networks.
The DBS Food Forest, set to launch by year-end, will feature over 50 varieties of produce, such as sweet potato leaves, watercress, papaya, starfruit, and herbs like galangal, lemongrass, and laksa leaves. The bank envisions this space as a catalyst for cultivating a new generation of citizen farmers among its staff, with guidance from experts at the social enterprise Edible Garden City.
Produce from the farm will be utilized in meals prepared at the building’s cafeteria, reducing transportation costs and minimizing carbon emissions. Additionally, waste generated will be processed through an on-site composting system.
Shee Tse Koon, the Singapore country head for DBS, expressed the initiative’s broader vision: “Our aim is to spark a virtuous circle, where employees inspire their families and friends to cultivate edible gardens, leading to a flourishing network of greenery across the island.”