Bilans d’évènement

Past Event | Seeds of the Future: Advancing Climate-Resilient Crops in Asia

In a full-house setting, the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and WOMAG co-organised an insightful and eye-opening event on Climate-Resilient Crops in Asia.

We were honoured to welcome our esteemed speakers: Kim Cygler, Investor Relations at Mandala Capital; David Chen, Founder and CEO of AgriG8; Cherie Tan, AgTech and Regenerative Agriculture Lead at Agrifood Futures; and Dr. Jose Ma Luis Montesclaros, Food Security Lead at the NTS Centre, RSIS. They were brought valuable perspectives and real-world case studies from across Asia, highlighting the role of climate-resilient crops and protein alternatives. The discussion was skillfully moderated by Shab Kumar, Business Model Consultant at smak.do, who guided the panel through a dynamic and thoughtful exchange.

Key takeaways from the session:

• Systemic Change Requires Policy and Collaboration

Effective solutions for reducing the environmental footprint of livestock systems depend on strong government policies, stakeholder consultation, and collaboration between public and private sectors to incentivize sustainable practices, including promoting plant-based diets and local feed production.

• Innovation Alone Is Not Enough

While there is significant investment and enthusiasm for ag-tech and advanced seed technologies, adoption remains low due to gaps in trust, affordability, and support services. Success requires aligning technology deployment with farmer needs and building financial and regulatory frameworks that enable uptake.

• Balancing Nutrition, Sustainability, and Market Acceptance

Nutrition interventions (like fortified rice) and sustainability efforts often face consumer acceptance challenges and governance hurdles, highlighting the need for inclusive planning and communication to ensure lasting impact.

• Investment and Resilience Go Hand in Hand

Investment in agri-business, protein alternatives, and climate adaptation is constrained by perceived risks and slow returns, underscoring the importance of grassroots organizations, cooperatives, and public-private partnerships to build resilience and demonstrate viable business models.

• Shifting Mindsets and Farming Models

Generational differences in farming motivations—profit versus food security—reflect broader cultural shifts. New cooperative and innovative farming models, supported by transparent governance and sustained demand, will be key to strengthening farmer incomes and advancing climate resilience.

Thank you to our esteemed speakers, moderator, and all attendees for their contributions to this inspiring session.

For more information about the Agri-Food Innovation Committee, please contact Vanessa Hobbs vhobbs(@)fccsingapore.com